Well, I guess this Mauser isn't getting a new barrel

[Dave in WI]

Spun the barrel off of a 98 Mauser to rebarrel. Cleaned up receiver to check for possible setback on lugs and noticed this where it was drilled/tapped for scope bases.....

 

[WayneShaw]

I wouldn't necessarily say it was unusable. A Springfield has a slot cut through the left bolt lug for ejection if I recall. Plenty of abutment there.

 

[Ggmac]

if its not a high pressure large case cartridge, it’ll be okay .

 

[Dave in WI]

It's a Colombian 98 originally chambered 30-06 to be re-barreled with same (30-06).

 

[akajun]

That’s actually pretty common
And if you look at the bolt, it’s split on that left lug for the ejector right where that screw hole is

I’d rebarrel with 06 and send it

 

[426nut]

.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Can't believe people are still wanting to use those old Mausers. Ends up costing more in the end to make them half way decent, and even then, they are still far weaker and less accurate than any of the current cheap factory actions. If I was smithing for customers, I wouldn't touch one for liability reasons

 

[jackieschmidt]

Can't believe people are still wanting to use those old Mausers. Ends up costing more in the end to make them half way decent, and even then, they are still far weaker and less accurate than any of the current cheap factory actions. If I was smithing for customers, I wouldn't touch one for liability reasons

I did a complete Mauser project just for the fun of it. I wasn’t particularly concerned about the “cost” of it, I wanted to build a rifle based on a vintage action.
Of course, i did not have to pay a gunsmith to put it all together, and I stayed within the pressure limits of what these actions were designed to handle., that being a 280 Remington at around 50,000 psi with 140 grn bullets.

But you are correct. If your sole aim is to build a rifle that can take advantage of all of the more modern cartridge designs and velocity capabilities with a wide range of bullets, building a rifle based on a old military action makes about as much sense as taking an old junked out ‘67 Chevelle and spending enough money on it to put the kids, and grandkids, through college.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I did a complete Mauser project just for the fun of it. I wasn’t particularly concerned about the “cost” of it, I wanted to build a rifle based on a vintage action.
Of course, i did not have to pay a gunsmith to put it all together, and I stayed within the pressure limits of what these actions were designed to handle., that being a 280 Remington at around 50,000 psi with 140 grn bullets.

But you are correct. If your sole aim is to build a rifle that can take advantage of all of the more modern cartridge designs and velocity capabilities with a wide range of bullets, building a rifle based on a old military action makes about as much sense as taking an old junked out ‘67 Chevelle and spending enough money on it to put the kids, and grandkids, through college.

But, YOU did it YOUR way. Tell the kids to take out a College loan. Joe will take care of it.

 

[natdscott]

Can't believe people are still wanting to use those old Mausers. Ends up costing more in the end to make them half way decent, and even then, they are still far weaker and less accurate than any of the current cheap factory actions. If I was smithing for customers, I wouldn't touch one for liability reasons

You don't have the same goals in mind, in rifles, or maybe in life.

That doesn't have to mean you don't understand.

 

[Bill K]

You don't have the same goals in mind, in rifles, or maybe in life.

That doesn't have to mean you don't understand.

To each his own on an opinion. But there are thousands of old Mauser actions out there that have been reworked and still being used to take shooting and hunting. They were and still are fine products to play with and use. Just something about having a seeing them still used.

 

[Will Henry]

That hole needed to a half hole forward of there, but it won't be a problem. It is kind of one of those things one is better off not knowing.
As for why someone might want to use a Mauser action, instead of something more modern, maybe because it works and because you can. For a strictly hunting rifle, a 98 Mauser, or FN commercial action, is my first choice.
When I first started working as a professional gunsmith, I knew better. After all, I was a BR shooter and everyone knew a Mauser action wasn't a viable basis for a real accurate rifle. Nonetheless, this was in the '70's and the utilization of military Mauser actions as the basis for everything from utility guns to fine custom sporters was a major part of any gunsmith's trade. I had to learn to do good work on them and to build whatever the customer wanted. I was given the opportunity to examine, shoot and work on rifles by some of the top makers of post-war era. Some of these rifles were well used and hunted all over the world. I began to really appreciate the Mauser and what it could do.
As far as strength and safety are concerned, this is one area where the Mauser still shines; especially later samples with improved heat treating or using modern alloys. I have seen the results of severe overloads and case failures in numerous different actions over the years and Mausers did a very good job of protecting the shooter, even when the gun was ruined.
I'll bet I have seen a hundred Mausers which were barreled in 308 Norma Mag. This cartridge is loaded HOT from the factory (though they have backed off in recent years), yet I never saw one with any signs of incipient failure.
The action in the photo isn't perfect but it will function fine. I have to admit, it would bug me to own it, but it would still work. WH

 

[AlNyhus]

I have a nice '76 vintage Interarms Mark X that I'm rehabbing. It's a nice change of pace to work on stuff like this.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have a lot of respect for the Mauser and the innovation it brought to the industry, but they are definitely lacking by modern terms. I like the old Ruger M77 Tangs and M70s for Mauser style actions if that's the look a person is going for. Very strong and reliable and not much modifications needed.

I re-barreled this old M77 tang in 6mm Remington. Had it powder coated and did all the stock work myself. Made a great classic looking Mauser style rifle. Topped it off with an old Japanese built Tasco scope. Shot really good and loved the look of that stipled fancy walnut

 

[Dimner]

My favorite hunting rifle is my 1977 Austrian Voere 30-06 built on a k98 receiver. It's dead sexy ala 1977 disco vintage. Grip cap has the increasing taper that reminds me of bell bottoms. Barrel was done by styer. Tang safety. Immaculate trigger. Very well done hinged floor plate. One of a kind spoon bolt handle. I think that someone got this custom from voere back in the day. I use it every day deer hunting if it's not rain or sleet.

I traded it to a friend for a Tikka. Regretted letting it go every single minute of that 3.5 years. Finally got it back in a trade.

 

[Will Henry]

I have a lot of respect for the Mauser and the innovation it brought to the industry, but they are definitely lacking by modern terms. I like the old Ruger M77 Tangs and M70s for Mauser style actions if that's the look a person is going for. Very strong and reliable and not much modifications needed.

I re-barreled this old M77 tang in 6mm Remington. Had it powder coated and did all the stock work myself. Made a great classic looking Mauser style rifle. Topped it off with an old Japanese built Tasco scope. Shot really good and loved the look of that stipled fancy walnut

View attachment 1533730View attachment 1533731

That looks like a very nice job on that stock. I have a soft spot for those tang-safety Rugers too. WH

 

[Ledd Slinger]

That looks like a very nice job on that stock. I have a soft spot for those tang-safety Rugers too. WH

Mee too! I also have a 100% factory original heavy barrel 'red pad' M77 in 6mm Remington thats almost mint condition. I believe the factory barrels were made by Douglas back when this one was built. Never touched a thing on this rifle other than lightening the trigger, even the bluing is original. Topped with an older Japanese bulit Bushnell 6-24 AO scope. Dont shoot it much anymore as they seem to be gaining collectors value in this condition, but it is very accurate with my handloads. Also have and old mint condition Shootings Times magazine from 1968 when the Ruger M77 made its debut. Adds a little nostalgia to the old M77 when I show it to people

 

[Sniperhandle]

Those old Ruger's are cool, But, The angled recoil lug and the built in mounts and cast receivers in my book don't make them any better than an FN Supreme Mauser 98 or even a Santa Barbara M98 commercial Mauser.

The Ruger is just a copy of the M98 with a couple of subtle changes.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Those old Ruger's are cool, But, The angled recoil lug and the built in mounts and cast receivers in my book don't make them any better than an FN Supreme Mauser 98 or even a Santa Barbara M98 commercial Mauser.

The Ruger is just a copy of the M98 with a couple of subtle changes.

Correction, a copy of the M98 with "many improvements". I've owned and shot both Rugers and old Mausers over the years.

Pretty much everything about the Ruger is a better design. There's no comparison. Better factory barrels, better bolts, better triggers, smoother cycling, better feeding, etc.

The angled recoil lug is a pain to inlet for and bed, but it's very effective at sucking down and locking the action into the stock when torqued down. Its also a superior design to straight screw of the Mauser if you think about the physics of it.

 

[Bc'z]

I'm trading into this modern mauser, I believe its in a Richard's microfit.
Rifle was previously owed by our local gunsmith and mauser guru.
280ai 20" Pacnor 15-20 rounds.
It's going to make an awesome truck gun once it's got a BC'z dye job.
4.5x14 Leopold is going on top