Recommendations to rebarrel K98

[BobC]

I'm contemplating a project to convert a 8x57 K-98 Mauser (Yugo) to .338-06 and sporterize it. Given the cost for me to purchase a barrel wrench and chamber reamers, I'm thinking of having a commercial firm / gunsmith re-barrel the action. Any recommendations for barrel manufacturers (or others) that do this kind of work? I'd then play with stocks, bedding, sights, etc.

This would be my first gunsmithing project. Any experiences and lessons learned would be appreciated.

- BobC

 

[Jim Watson]

E.R. Shaw is about the least expensive barrel I have heard well of. They will handle installation and some other gunsmithing.
http://www.ershawbarrels.com/normal.asp#

I think I'd do some research to see if an action and magazine meant for 8x57 were long enough for .338-06 before I started spending money.

 

[kungfuhippie]

remember the yugo action is intermediate length, a .30-06 is a VERY tight fit IIRC that it even fits. Why such a big caliber? Just for the hell of it? Probably the cheapest way to get that caliber in a custom rifle.

 

[highlander 5]

oal for 8x57 with 200gr bullet 3.20"
oal for 338-06 with 200gr bullet 3.340 per Speer manual #13

 

[Jim K]

If the Yugo rifle is a standard 98, the action can be made to take a .30-06 standard length; if it is an M48 or a M24/47, it is too short for conversion to a cartridge of that length. Even the standard Mauser 98 is a tight fit for .30-'06, requiring cutting away the magazine well at both ends, and shortening the feed ramp.

(I know the initial question involved a "K-98", but unfortunately that term has been used for just about any Mauser milsurp rifle, so I decided to post the above.)

Jim

 

[Davo]

How about a Savage 110?

 

[BobC]

All: Thanks for the feedback.

From my initial reading on Mauser conversions, I was focused on matching the .473" cartridge rim of the 8x57 and consequently chose a cartridge based on the 30-06. I didn't think there would be an issue with overall length unless changing to a magnum cartridge.

Back to the drawing board ! Thanks for saving me painful discoveries halfway through the process.

- BobC

 

[Jim Watson]

9.3x57
9.5x57 (.375x2 1/4" Nitro if you are British.)
You'd probably have to buy the gunsmith the reamer, but those would fit.

There is nothing wrong with 8mm if you load it to Euro ballistics instead of the SAAMI spec based on the 1920s 8mm Remington Special meant to be safe in 88's and pre-1905 Mausers.

 

[dfaugh]

How "bad" is the barrel--- I'm building a VZ-24 in 8mm-06 Ackley. needs re-crowning (wanna shorten it anyway) and I suspect the throat is rough, but the bore is pretty good. I DO expect I'll have to do some work on the magazine, as I wasnt to use high BC (long) bullets. If you have the Yugo intermediate action you could do the same with 8mm-08 (I think). Advantages are:

1) can be rechambered without removing barrel
2) throat gets "cleaned up" when reamed
3) there is now a pretty good selection of bullets for reloading in 8mm, everything from 150 grn. to 250 grn.

Now, the 8mm-06 AI IS a handloading proposition, but you can achieve power levels close to .338 Win Mag (with less powder). Mine is gonna be in a "scout" configuration (with a ported barrel AND a good recoil pad). I've been scrounging parts off eBay, and the gun auction sites, and will have less than $250 invested.

P.S. the 8x57 is no slouch, especially if you handload. If the barrel is pretty good, I'd be tempted to leave it alone! A small investment in reloading equipment might get you almost everything you expect from the .338-06.

 

[longrifleman]

There is nothing wrong with 8mm if you load it to Euro ballistics

Do you have a good source for this data? All my manuals show the anemic loads, and I'm not really interested in learning the actual max load the old fashioned way(blowing up the rifle).

 

[GreyMauser]

Right now, I'm having a 98 rebarreled and chambered to 338 Federal. Havn't compared performance to the 338-06, but the Fed ought to solve your length problem.

Montana Rifelman has done good work for me in rebarreling and trueing actions. They come in well below most other barrelmakers pricewise, and they perform in weeks, not months. I have heard of guality problems with E R Shaw products, and suggest you do a search on them on some of the gun forums.

 

[Jim Watson]

Vihtavuori, Hodgdon, and Accurate Arms all have data for loads that will push a 150 gr 8mm JS to 2900+ fps. They have some data on heavier bullets at decent velocity.

The .338 Federal is on .308 brass; I have read of difficulties in getting Mausers to feed that round.

 

[GreyMauser]

Jim- Maybe that's why the gunsmith has had my m98>338 Fed so long.

Seriously, If my action as chambered to 338 Federal has feeding problems, option 1 would be rechambering to 338-06, as it is a 30-06 length large ring.

 

[mete]

For that length action ideal cartridges would be 6.5x55, 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x57 .Unfortunately those are loaded here to low pressures and I would use them for handloaders only.