Modern 98 mauser build?

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troy fairweather

troy fairweather

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Anyone here ever build a 98 mauser like the new rifles, meaning modern stock materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber or metal Finnish like ceracoat or a DLC type finish. Same with a stainless or carbon wrap barrel.

I've been looking on gunbroker and I'm surprised how cheap sporter 98s are selling for, more shocking are how cheap the 09 Argentine mausers are going.

So how would you build one like a modern rifle.
 
I've built several milsurp M98s into sporters over the past 30 years. I'm a blued steel and walnut guy so not really into the trendier options you mentioned but I've seen plenty of that stuff available.

The key is to figure out what you want (ie: use, chambering, weight, scoped, etc.). Then find a suitable Mauser98 donor receiver and parts. I've used German K98s, VZ24s, Yugo M48s (intermediate length), and so on. Then find a threaded barrel that will fit in the bore, twist, and contour desired. Then you send to a gunsmith to get the barrel installed, chambered, & headspaced. Depending on the application you may also want to drill and tap for scope mounts, alter the bolt handle for scope clearance, lap the lugs, etc. Finally, the smith can blue, cerakote, parkarize, or do whatever finish you desire on the metal parts. Some other items to consider swapping are the shroud safety, shroud altogether, bottom metal (hinged floor-plate for instance) and other customization.

Once all the metal work is done, you can start on stock work. This may be something you want to do on your own or have the gunsmith do for you. Stocking a rifle may include bedding options, inletting, checkering (wood), tip & cap, sling studs, etc.

You can quickly spend a lot of $ on a project like this. I usually do it over long periods of time. Gunsmiths are going to likely take a few months to get all of this work done so patience is a must. I find it best, like you mentioned already, to find a donor that's already sporterized and not in original military form.

It's not uncommon for a project like this to cost $1000-$2000 or more depending on what you want.
 
Already catastrophically sporterized; Mauser, Springfield, Enfield and the like rifles are a real deal and great sources for receivers.

Generally speaking, it makes more sense to get a new gun with a warranty but where's the fun in that?

Ramline's Mauser stocks seem to be a thing of the past but were never particularly nice anyhow. Promags are out there, and for me.... a bit out-there too.

I've seen some doggone nice Hogues for Mausers.

Trigger up-grades aren't usually too problematic.

Barrels of most any configuration and caliber are merely an exercise in your own lathe-work or an exercise of your credit card.

Sighting and/or scoping has had all the questions answered over and over again decades ago.

I say: Have at it.


Todd.
 
Probably different from what you've in mind, but my Mauser Scout build from the 1990s used a mix of relatively then-new and older proven technology:

MauserScoutRifle03.jpg

The action was an Israeli Brno 98, the .308 barrel by FN. I took off the barrel, reprofiled the rough outer surface of the receiver above the stock line and then sent the latter to Blanchard's for reheat treatment. I had the second step turned off the barrel, then had it reinstalled in the action so the pair could be sent to 300 Below for cryotreatment. The bolt knob was hollowed and the bolt, magazine follower, cocking piece and floorplate catch hard chromed by Armoloy. The balance of the rifle was parkerized by Craftguard. Timney trigger, Williams peep, Weaver rail (modified T/C Contender); I installed a tritium shotgun bead front at the front of the rail that sits flush with the top. I replaced the tritium bead once after the original went dim.

MauserScoutRifleWilliamsFP.jpg ScoutScopeMountTop.jpg

Fajen synthetic stock, plus various LER optics. Spent way too much, but the cost was spread out over several years.

My only regret was not using a commercial or bubba'ed action to start with -- Israeli Mausers were dirt cheap then, but now I wish I'd kept it in it's veteran condition.
 
Last edited:
troy fairweather said:
I can do most of the work myself, just trying to get some build ideas.
Click to expand...
Here are a few ideas to consider, especially the "crested" receiver ring for a smooth front to back receiver profile blending into scope bases. There's a lot you can do to add class to bottom metal with only a file and sandpaper.. Kits for M-70 style safety are good investment and add much value as well as convenience. Bolt alterations for scope are necessary but most come out looking clunky, it takes an artist to make it look graceful. Nothing will ever look better than wood, like this example.. 21A_2963 (2).JPG 21A_2977 (2).JPG DSC_0170 (3).JPG DSC_0178 (2).JPG DSC_0193 (2).JPG
 
Offfhand said:
Here are a few ideas to consider, especially the "crested" receiver ring for a smooth front to back receiver profile blending into scope bases. There's a lot you can do to add class to bottom metal with only a file and sandpaper.. Kits for M-70 style safety are good investment and add much value as well as convenience. Bolt alterations for scope are necessary but most come out looking clunky, it takes an artist to make it look graceful. Nothing will ever look better than wood, like this example..View attachment 981792 View attachment 981793 View attachment 981794 View attachment 981795 View attachment 981796
Click to expand...



your Rifles leave me in Awe Sir!
 
Heres a cerakoted chilean 95 with a swede 6.5x55 barrel I’ve dumped a ton of time into, while not a 98, I feel its relevant to this post. Theres also the bashed up old turk I put a precision .270 barrel on and a $500 scope lol. Some people ask, “WHY?!” Winters are long and I like mausers. I dont want some chintzy budget rifle with a warranty, I want something battle proven.
 

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Dave DeLaurant said:
Probably different from what you've in mind, but my Mauser Scout build from the 1990s used a mix of relatively then-new and older proven technology:

View attachment 981787

The action was an Israeli Brno 98, the .308 barrel by FN. I reprofiled the rough outer surface of the receiver above the stock line and then sent it to Blanchard's for reheat treatment. I had the second step turned off the barrel, then had it reinstalled in the action so the pair could be sent to 300 Below for cryotreatment. The bolt knob was hollowed and the bolt, magazine follower, cocking piece and floorplate catch hard chromed by Armoloy. The balance of the rifle was parkerized by Craftguard. Timney trigger, Williams peep, Weaver rail (modified T/C Contender); I installed a tritium shotgun bead front at the front of the rail that sits flush with the top. I replaced the tritium bead once after the original went dim.

View attachment 981788 View attachment 981791

Fajen synthetic stock, plus various LER optics. Spent way too much, but the cost was spread out over several years.

My only regret was not using a commercial or bubba'ed action to start with -- Israeli Mausers were dirt cheap then, but now I wish I'd kept it in it's veteran condition.
Click to expand...
Nice, I was just trying to find out how much the reheat treating will cost, what fps was yours done. That stock looks similar to the butler creek ones, guys seemed to not like them but I always thought they were fine. They were less the $50 last I seen some a few years back.
 
Offfhand said:
Here are a few ideas to consider, especially the "crested" receiver ring for a smooth front to back receiver profile blending into scope bases. There's a lot you can do to add class to bottom metal with only a file and sandpaper.. Kits for M-70 style safety are good investment and add much value as well as convenience. Bolt alterations for scope are necessary but most come out looking clunky, it takes an artist to make it look graceful. Nothing will ever look better than wood, like this example..View attachment 981792 View attachment 981793 View attachment 981794 View attachment 981795 View attachment 981796
Click to expand...
It's almost a sin to take off the nice crest off these guns lol. I believe my buddy has the contouring jig to grind the action for bases, I've been liking the talley aluminum rings lately my 09 has the old style Talley I like them to. The bottom metal work is easy more so if I use a 09 or similar. I know John made his own safety using a 98 shroud, this one is just a 2 position. Wish I had a kill cuz I have about a dozen bolt shrouds I could use. The new m70 safety are pricy so a cheaper alternative would be nice.

My dad has a nice bolt I'd like I get off him, it's the m70 style I like. Nice rifle as always
 
Nature Boy said:
That's a beautiful rifle!!
Click to expand...
Thanks, it still needs some work and money's tight so can't do much. The chamber has a scratch and some day I'll have the barrel set back so I'll rechamber it. The stock was just a Richards stock John was 82 when he made the rifle for me in his younger years he made some very nice stocks. This was the last rifle he built before he passed.
 
Alaskan Ironworker said:
Heres a cerakoted chilean 95 with a swede 6.5x55 barrel I’ve dumped a ton of time into, while not a 98, I feel its relevant to this post. Theres also the bashed up old turk I put a precision .270 barrel on and a $500 scope lol. Some people ask, “WHY?!” Winters are long and I like mausers. I dont want some chintzy budget rifle with a warranty, I want something battle proven.
Click to expand...
There nice I've messed with other mausers other then 98s I like them all.
 
troy fairweather said:
I was just trying to find out how much the reheat treating will cost, what fps was yours done.
Click to expand...

It was under $60 back in the 90s, but who knows now. Blanchard's is still around (I think Kuhnhausen's book recommended them), but their website looks rather big league these days: https://www.bmproc.com/

That stock looks similar to the butler creek ones, guys seemed to not like them but I always thought they were fine. They were less the $50 last I seen some a few years back.
Click to expand...

I auditioned and traded off several plastic Mauser stocks, including a Bell and Carlson thumbhole. I even had a Ramline Mauser stock at one point, but the action fit wasn't quite as good on the one I had plus I needed to relieve the stock a bit for the bolt handle. On the other hand, the surface of the plastic felt harder and more rigid on the Ramline than the Fajen stock I eventually settled on.
 
Offfhand said:
Here are a few ideas to consider, especially the "crested" receiver ring for a smooth front to back receiver profile blending into scope bases. There's a lot you can do to add class to bottom metal with only a file and sandpaper.. Kits for M-70 style safety are good investment and add much value as well as convenience. Bolt alterations for scope are necessary but most come out looking clunky, it takes an artist to make it look graceful. Nothing will ever look better than wood, like this example..View attachment 981792 View attachment 981793 View attachment 981794 View attachment 981795 View attachment 981796
Click to expand...
I look at this piece of art and smell money.
 
Dave DeLaurant said:
It was under $60 back in the 90s, but who knows now. Blanchard's is still around (I think Kuhnhausen's book recommended them), but their website looks rather big league these days: https://www.bmproc.com/



I auditioned and traded off several plastic Mauser stocks, including a Bell and Carlson thumbhole. I even had a Ramline Mauser stock at one point, but the action fit wasn't quite as good on the one I had plus I needed to relieve the stock a bit for the bolt handle. On the other hand, the surface of the plastic felt harder and more rigid on the Ramline than the Fajen stock I eventually settled on.
Click to expand...
If I had the money is get a brown precision blank, think there $500 ish or something like that. If I do just a normal blue and wood sporter I'll go with a Richards again maybe get something more fancy.

ya I was looking on blanchards site guess I'd have to call for a quote.
 
Though i do think the post war era sporters, when done respectfully still have an appeal. Mine has all the doo dads and is residing in a beautiful Fajen stock. 30-06. Pecar Berlin 3x9 scope on an unknown quick detach scope mount. Pics just dont do it justice.

index.php
 
BigBlue 94 said:
Though i do think the post war era sporters, when done respectfully still have an appeal. Mine has all the doo dads and is residing in a beautiful Fajen stock. 30-06. Pecar Berlin 3x9 scope on an unknown quick detach scope mount. Pics just dont do it justice.

index.php
Click to expand...
ya I really like the sporters even a simple sporter in nice if done properly. Sucks the weather the last few years during hunting season has been rainy so I don't like taking the wood stocks out in that.
 
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