K98, project rifle?

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The Deer Hunter

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Hey guys

My main rifle is my Remington 700 CDL, .30-06 with nice Sightron scope. Although it is nice, I want an iron sighted bolt action rifle that I can use as a shooter and project rifle.

I love push feed, but I love the feel of a Mauser action. How hard is it to find a k98, or similar Mauser action, re barreled to a more common caliber like .308? I find a lot of beauty in military surplus rifles, but it's hard to find ammo for them. I am also interested in a re-barrel for accuracy reasons.

Are re-barrels generally left in stock configuration or sporterized? My main plans are to get a sporter walnut stock which I will checker and engrave.

Sorry this is kind of vague, but I'm not really sure where to start. I just want to get some ideas and knowledge.
 
There has already been a lot of information on this subject talked about on this forum. Search the archives and you will be overwhelmed with options for a project M98. Here are some of mine<http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5875026#post5875026>
 
The possibilities are almost endless(more or less). You can do just about anything you want with-in reason to build YOUR rifle. Be prepared,however, it is addictive and can be costly! Have fun!
 
I'm not trying to discourage you from getting a Mauser, Lord knows I've done the conversion thing a few times myself.
Be aware that most stock battle Mauser's have less than desirable iron sights to work with for a start.
I would keep track on Gunbroker.com for something that parallels the vision that you have, if you are set on doing this.


NCsmitty
 
I like the iron sights on Mausers, although I've never shot one before. The front sight post, at least.

I was thinking about a rear aperture sight in place of the rear sight, if I don't like the original rear sight.
 
Generally, Mausers that have been rechambered/barreled have also been sporterized (an atrocious infliction on a nice wartime Mauser IMO). Swedes are great, very accurate, and come chambered in a outstanding round as MPH said above...but aren't cheap as far as K98s go. :)
 
I have no problem spending $500 on a very nice, old rifle. In fact, I like the character military rifles have which makes them more valuable to me.

Can I find 6.5x55 commonly? I have read about it's accuracy in the past on THR.
 
Since you were talking specifically about a K98 project....the K98 is only chambered in 7.92x57mm(8mm) in military configuration. The 6.5x55 is a wonderful cartridge but is the chambering of Swedish rifles M94,M96 M38 etc. These are not M98s. An M98 can be rebarrelled for 6.5x55mm and very often is. 6.5x55mm ammo is pretty easy to find.
 
I have no problem spending $500 on a very nice, old rifle. In fact, I like the character military rifles have which makes them more valuable to me.
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

I don't really understand why it is that so many people think that because a rifle is milsurp it should be cheap to buy.

They're ALL bargains at twice the going rates if you consider how their overall quality compares to the poorly finished, pressboard stocked (or plastic) rough running and often poor shooting modern day rifles that cost twice as much.

For example I've got a Yugo Mauser, an M48A, that was/is in new condition when I got it. It feels solid and shoots better than any thin barreled Remington 'hunting rifle' (like the old ADL Remingtons though I don't know if they still offer those "poorman" versions). It's also short enough to be an easy and fast handling gun that can knock out 2" groups at 100 yds regularly. If I was setting a price for a rifle like it I'd start by thinking around $500. because looking at it in comparison and forgetting that it's a milsurp a rifle that good and well made like it is SHOULD be worth at least $500.

Totally agreeing with Jimmyray, the Swedish guns are great and the caliber is one of the world's best shooting. I've got a GC63, a rifle built for the Swedish International Shooting Teams, 6.5x55mm that can make MOA at 100 and would be a fine choice with a couple of handling changes to use in a 1000 yd match. It's built on a 1916 Karl Gustav action.
 
If you are willing to pay the premium (when compared to a K98) then by all means go with the Swede...it is a sweet shooter with an outstanding cartridge (that as others have said isn't that difficult to find). :)
 
My experience is limited, but I sure like my VZ-24. 7.92x57 is plentiful in surplus, I'd say find a box of the good stuff for hunting and go surplus for everything else, but the Czech versions of the Mauser actions are really great and the Euro 8mm loads are very good, so go with something like Sellier&Bellot in good hunting loads.
 
mauser k98

Hi there. just to to let you all know i own and shoot regular a mauser k98 in 8x64s breneke ? it was built in 1941 / rebarelled for this calibre sometime in the 70 s . I think this calibre is very underated . this rifle is VERY accurate out to 800 mtrs . merci
 
well, there is one at a local gun shop for 100. It is re barreled in 30 06 and is beautiful. One good thing about using a mauser chambered in 8mm, or even 7mm mauser for that matter is that the bases of those two are the exact same as 30-06, .270, .308, and so on. So really all you would need to do is a re barrel and make sure head space and the firing pin are correct. Also I have heard of but never seen of people re barreling mausers for 45-70. could be a rumor, but man that would be awesome.
 
.45-70Govt. is a poodle shooter (the giant mutant kind with razor sharp fangs), .458WM for the win. :D
 
Now I remember why I relpied the first time...

You were asking about sights: I don't know if the VZ-24's used the same front sights as the K98's, but the VZ-24's are the best open sights I've ever seen. So precise and square-framed on the sides by the front sight guards! They are so cool; the front post is pointed too for the most precise open sights I've seen. They look kinds like this when you look through them (if the A were smaller):

(]_A_[)

Get some if you can!
 
You can usually buy a Mod 98 rifle that has been sportorized at most gun shows. Prices vary from under $200 to well over that. The nice thing is that often some of the expensive work has already been done. (turning the bolt handle for low scope mount, drill and tapping the receiver, removing old sights, adding modern sights etc.....) Just keep what you want, add what you need and throw away what's left over. I am currently waiting for my Mod 98 to be blued having recently swapped the original barrel for a 30-06 barrel that I bought for $20. I will end up with a pretty and functional gun for less than $700 including a good scope.
 
I went to the Trading Post today and looked around. A very nice Yugo Mauser with bayonet, sling, pouches and stuff for probably $400. I liked it but it didn't fit (pull up) nice at all. There were a few K98 re barreled and sporterized, none that I liked.

There was one Swedish M96 that had been sporterized professionally by AIM maybe? I forget, but they did a very good job at most of it. New, light contour, 6.5x55 barrel and drilled and tapped for a scope on a 1917 Charles Gustav action. The stock was cheesy plastic though and the safety was like on a new Remington 700. It was missing the whole little assembly the safety wing swings up on, so you got the feeling of cocking it every time you closed it. I didn't like the action. It was only $200, but the barrel had no provisions for iron sights, the barrel was a bit too short for me, I didn't like the action or the stock, so I didn't buy it.

After looking at these rifles, I have determined that I want it in original military configuration.

Oh, and while I haven't seen any .45-70 Mausers, I have seen a .45-70 SMLE rifle that was done at another import factory and re finished very nicely.
 
if you want a common caliber in military form for pretty cheap look into an ishapore 2a enfield i love mine its more than deer accurate
 
…I love the feel of a Mauser action…
…a more common caliber like .308…
…I was thinking about a rear aperture sight…
Click to expand...

Have you considered a spanish FR-8 ?
 
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