Sporterize an old Mauser - Help?

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Gtimothy

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I have an old Brazilian Mauser chambered in 30-06 that has a heavily pitted barrel. I got it a long time ago at K-mart and didn't realize how bad the barrel was until I got it home and cleaned the cosmoline out of it. I just kept it instead of going through the hassle of returning it.

Now I want to have it rebarreled. I've seen a lot of comments about using modern ammunition in "military surplus" Mausers but is this still an issue if I replace the barrel with modern steel? I would like to have it chambered for 308 WIN so the pressure shouldn't be an issue...right? Any help will be greatly appreciated
 
ya can't kill an old mauser. 308 or 3006 should be fine.have you shot this one to see how it groups before rebarreling?you can use a standard 1/10 twist,or if you want to try something really radical,a 1x11.25 5r rifling on it.remington is using the 5r on it's sniper rifles.you can make a scout rifle out of it. does it have a stripper clip guide?
http://www.tobystactical.com/

http://criterionbarrels.com/products.html
 
Go ahead and put .308 in there if you want, but .30-06 should be fine as well; Mausers are plenty strong.

Are you going to scope it?

Check the group it throws before you re-barrel it, it might be just fine (unlikely, but you might be lucky, and it gives you an excuse to go shoot :D)
 
The military 98 was converted to 7.62x51 (308) by a number armies around the world. The '06 will work but requires some opening of the the action due the increased length of the '06 (63mm v 57mm). The 7x57 (7mm Mauser) is one of the great cartridges in history and is a drop in fit.

Take-off M98 barrels in 8x57 (and 7x57) are all over the place at dirt cheap prices. You might want to just bag a replacement military barrel and get it shooting.
 
I shot it right after I got it and it was all over the place. Tried to lap the barrel with the special lapping rounds but it didn't help.

dprice3844444- The receiver is notched for stripper clips now that you mention it!

Mauser lover - Yeah, I want to put some good glass on it and put it in a synthetic stock and see how far I can shoot!

SaxonPig - That's an option but I don't want to have to start reloading another caliber...reloading too many as it is! ; )
 
The '06 will work but requires some opening of the the action due the increased length of the '06 (63mm v 57mm).
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Actually the 30.06 will fit without any modification. The Brazilian is already 30.06 so 30.06 length cases are good to go (.270win,,.280rem,25.06 etc). I have converted several M98s in 8x57 to 30.06 and have never had to open up the action to make them work.
 
When you decide on a caliber,may I suggest these barrels? <http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22531/avs%7CMake~~Model_1=Mauser__98/Product/SHORT-CHAMBERED-MAUSER-BARREL> This is the best value for a quality sporter barrel.
 
jimmyraythomason said:
When you decide on a caliber,may I suggest these barrels? <http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22531/avs%7CMake~~Model_1=Mauser__98/Product/SHORT-CHAMBERED-MAUSER-BARREL> This is the best value for a quality sporter barrel.
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Thanks jimmyray... Not a bad price for a barrel! Would have my local smith do the re- barrel and headspace. My only concern would be polishing and bluing it. I tried cold bluing once and it worked reasonably well but takes a lot of prep and time. It didn't have that deep blue that is so coveted by some but I'm not that picky, as long as it's a shooter I don't care how it looks! Function over form any day of the week!
 
If you haven't yet, pull the action out of the stock and check for action pitting under the wood line. Many South American rifles were exposed to moisture and humidity, and can be rusted and pitted under the wood. Usually not a safety issue, but can be fixed with metal filler and coated with one of the firearms epoxies. I have Duracoated several of my Mauser conversions, and there are many different colors available to suit. It is more durable than bluing if you prep the metal properly.


NCsmitty
 
I agree with NCSmitty on Duracote. I do my own hot blue so for me that is my choice of finish BUT short of hot blue,I MUCH prefer Duracote,Guncote or even automotive paint over cold blue for overall finish. If you can't get hot blue or parkerizeing go with a spray-on finish (baked on or not). Brownell's Alumi-hyde II is also a very good option.
 
NCsmitty said:
If you haven't yet, pull the action out of the stock and check for action pitting under the wood line. Many South American rifles were exposed to moisture and humidity, and can be rusted and pitted under the wood. Usually not a safety issue, but can be fixed with metal filler and coated with one of the firearms epoxies. I have Duracoated several of my Mauser conversions, and there are many different colors available to suit. It is more durable than bluing if you prep the metal properly.


NCsmitty
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I'll have to check when I get home. What type of metal filler do you use?
 
This is one of my Colombian Mausers (originally 30.06)that I built. This particular one is in .308 win.
 
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Mauser .308 build.

I started with this barreled receiver (barrel was shot). I removed the charger guides and D&Ted for scope mounts. I replaced the bolt and firing pin with one from a Parker Hale. The bolt shroud is a new FN from Brownell's and the trigger w/safety is a Zastava unit. An aluminum trigger guard/magazine assembly from Brownell's(the assembly is longer than the original so the receiver opening must be elongated to match). The stock is a Remington 798pull off from Gunbroker.com as is the 24" barrel. Scope mounts are Talley's and scope is a Leupold VX-1. Hot bluing is Brownell's Oxynate 7. I did all but the rebarreling and chambering. The gun shoots < 1"@ 100 yards with 150 grn Federal ammo.
 
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jimmyraythomason said:
I started with this barreled receiver (barrel was shot). I removed the charger guides and D&Ted for scope mounts. I replaced the bolt and firing pin with one from a Parker Hale. The bolt shroud is a new FN from Brownell's and the trigger w/safety is a Zastava unit. An aluminum trigger guard/magazine assembly from Brownell's(the assembly is longer than the original so the receiver opening must be elongated to match). The stock is a Remington 798pull off from Gunbroker.com as is the 24" barrel. Scope mounts are Talley's and scope is a Leupold VX-1. Hot bluing is Brownell's Oxynate 7. I did all but the rebarreling and chambering. The gun shoots < 1"@ 100 yards with 150 grn Federal ammo.
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Nice! So basically everything has been replaced but the receiver?
 
So basically everything has been replaced but the receiver?
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Basically but I have other Mauser sporters that use more of the original parts just this one is in .308. That's why I chose it to post about. I have others in 30.06,.280 rem,7x57mm,.257 roberts. I prefer my safety to be on the trigger hence the FN shroud for appearance.
 
Don't forget about the rust blue option. Pilkington's formula has given me excellent results and it is very durable. Takes a little time but I like the look better than the spray on finishes.
 
Ok, got home and dug waaaaay in the back of my safe and brought out the Brazilian. I'm confused now though....I thought it was a model 98 but it looks like it might not be. The markings on the left side side of the receiver say "FA'BRICA DE ITAJUBA - BRASIL" and the left side says "Mq .30 M954". Now I'm thinking that it is a model 95 small ring mauser. If so, how will it effect my designs for it? Can I still sporterize it into .308 or am I stuck with a wall decoration??? Kinda bummed right now...Still doing research and any help would be appreciated!
 
Mauser 95 vs Mauser 98

Here is an example of a typical Mauser 95 and a Mauser 98. Which one is your's most like?
 

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Mine looks like the one on the right. Got my fingers crossed that that is the "large" ring action....This is what my gun looks like (Not my actual gun though)
 

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I'm sure it's a 98 although it may be a small ring 98. These actually make very cool sporting rifles as they are a bit trimmer than the large ring models.
 
The rifle on the right is a large ring k98 that was converted to 7.62x51 by Israel. Large ring dimensions are: O.A.L. 8.75",distance between receiver screws 7.835", receiver ring diameter 1.41".
 
Here's some information on your Mq .30 1954 that is discussed at the link. Bear in mind it is internet information.

If it were mine, I would check the action for excess headspace with HS gauges, and if it checks good, it should be fine to use it for whatever you want.
It is a M98 based on the Brazilian M1908 action, and should have the extra third safety lug at the rear of the bolt. They were converted to 30'06 from 7mm Mauser in Brazil.
At least that's what I gleaned from the page.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f37/how-strong-action-chamber-brazilian-30-06-mausers-23817/


NCsmitty
 
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