Re-chamber K98k to .308 Win.

Have a 98k that had a rotten barrel. Installed a 30-06 chambered 30 cal barrel. No other mods were necessary. Also did same to a 1909 Argentine only in 308 with no further mods. Both function well.

The 8x57, 30-06, 308 etc all use the same rim.

The Magazine follower and ejector will work just fine, though you might need to modify the receiver rails a bit to get the .308 to feed correctly, but probably not. My guess is that once you have the new barrel installed and properly headspaced, everything else will work correctly.

You can't rechamber an 8mmX57 barrel to .308.

The 8mm barrel has a bore diameter of about .315 and a groove diameter of .323, whereas the .308 has a bore diameter of .300 and a groove diameter of .308. Thirty caliber bullets will simply rattle down the bore of an 8mm.

In addition, of course, the 8mm case is 57mm long, while the .308 case is only 51mm, so rechambering won't work even if the bore size was correct.

You can rebarrel your mauser to .308 (or .30-06 if you wish.)

Why not just get an Israeli?

Like Vaarok said, you can just get an Israeli Mauser already re-chambered in .308 for pretty cheap right now. Century has them

Century Arms

$ wise it's going to be a lot cheaper to just buy one of the Israeli ones.

How about the VZ 24. Can it be rebarrelled to use 308 without other mods?

Well you have a standard length action why not put a standard length round in it? I'd go with the .30-06 if you are going to re-barrel and take full advantage of the magazine and action length. The price difference between factory ammunition in .308 and .30-06 isn't that great. Both are still some of the cheapest ammunition to buy and you can still find surplus ammunition in both.

Sorry, didn't read that you owned several .308 rifles.

Wow! Talk about cheap!

I went to the Century site and there was no price listed. So I clicked "add to my shopping cart" and came up with a price of $0.00!!

Wow! Talk about cheap!

I went to the Century site and there was no price listed. So I clicked "add to my shopping cart" and came up with a price of $0.00!!

Click to expand...

Yes, but they'll get you on the shipping charges

Them brown trucks are expensive!!

7.62X51/.308 conversions are pretty straight forward.

All the really good barrels are short chambered so,,,,,,

If you don't have a lathe I would recommend a Clymer pull through finish reamer.
Brownells offers slightly short chambered Shilen barrels that can be finish chambered with a finish reamer, extension, and throater but it mis a very slow go to get the headspace right.
There are magazine box fillers and replacement floorplates for .308/7mm-08/.243 conversions available that make feeding the cartridge to the chamber a little smoother.
I have done conversions without the filler and they work OK but you can't really smash the bolt forward to feed a cartridge or the cartridge will smokestack.

A plus side if you plan on keeping the original sights is that the .308 and the 8 Mauser are fairly cloes ballistically and the sights will hit point of aim without much work.

There are a couple of drawbacks to rechambering M98 actions to .308 or .30/06
1. you cannot use the charger bridge if you install the filler block in the .308 conversion
2. if you want to use the charger bridge with .30/06 you will have to mill a clearance slot in the receiver bridge and this weakens the bridge.

With the price of ammunition continuing to skyrocket I would like to make another caliber suggestion that works really well in M98/K98 actions.
6.5X55 Swede

Clymer will also custom make a pull through reamer for this caliber also for about $200.00 or you can have the local 'smith finish chamber if you like.

I have a BCD 43 action in the works right now that will have a Mannlicher type stock, double sets, and a Douglas 6.5 blank

Vern,

The original poster wrote:

So, a new barrel is a given, but other than that, what else do I need to change?

Click to expand...

so I think it is pretty obvious that he isn't talking about rechambering the existing barrel-- but rather rebarreling the firearm in a different caliber. His terminology is a tad off, but the remainder of the post gets his point across.


-- John

Does anyone know how much the .308 century guns go for?

I have one sitting next to me right now that would go for 300.00 if anyone is interested + shipping to a FFL from a NON FFL. It has been refinished with large trigger guard. Parkerized and has matching nos on bolt and reciever. It has a mfg of dot and is dated at 1945 Stamped 762 with excellent bore and good wood. Has a leather sling. I bought this on from century some time back.

Here are some already converted:

http://www.mauser.org/rifles/m63 tanker/index.htm

Geoff
Who suspects the MSRP is a trifle HIGH!

Quote: Wow! Talk about cheap!

I went to the Century site and there was no price listed. So I clicked "add to my shopping cart" and came up with a price of $0.00!!

In that case, I'll order a dozen.

I

Go to the Century site and check it out. I tried to order one, but they require a minimum order of $1.00. So I suppose you'd have to order some ammo to go with it.