98 Mauser or O3A3 for custom build?

[dirtyjim]

depending on the mauser donor rifl;e you may or may not have to modify the magazine box to fit the 9.3x62mm. fn 1950's will work just fine without any modifications and the rest can be opened up in the back with a file very easily.
i prefer to use cartridge specific bottom metal so i build what i want on the action i want and order the correct bottom metal.
cartridge specific bottom metal ain't cheap but things like that are what separates a high end build from a generic ho-hum build

 

[GCBurner]

If I was spending the money to build a very nice custom rifle from scratch, I'd get a newer commercial Mauser-type action of the correct length for my chosen cartridge, rather than starting with an old military surplus beater to rebuild.

 

[wlewisiii]

VZ24 mauser action is what I plan to use for one like that. A little stronger, a little better made than Oberndorf or Springfield & a lot easier to re-barrel, all IMO & all that.

 

[texas chase]

Aimsurplus has O3A3 stripped actions for $130.

I found another place that has a couple of 1908 Brazilian mausers, which are German made, for $130.

Talk amongst yourselves...

 

[gpb]

Be careful with the recently available 03A3 receivers. Many of them are from de-activated drill rifles. Many are fine for putting together a service type bolt action rifle (an 03A3 or A4 look alike) . I'm just finishing such a rifle now. They are fine for that purpose. However, I wouldn't want to put a lot of money into one as a "sporter" rifle. Just be sure of what you're getting if you go the 03A3 route.

 

[Slamfire]

If you Mauser action was from the late 20's onward, I would have no concerns about overstressing the thing. However yours is pre WW1 and the metallurgy and process controls of that period stink.

The 03A3 is 40's metal technology, made from 8620 steel, which is better than the steels used in those early 98's, the yeild strength is about 20% higher, and then it was made later.

If you really want a Mauser action find a 50's FN commercial action. Those are the latest and probably the best.

 

[dprice3844444]

double set triggers are made for mausers

 

[dirtyjim]

VZ24 mauser action is what I plan to use for one like that. A little stronger, a little better made than Oberndorf

vz-24's are a little stronger than an oberndorf action but not enough to make any difference, but are not better made. if your taking the time to do a proper build it should also include a trip to blanchards or pacific for the bolt and action to be recarburized reguardless of when or where the action was made. its $150 but thats not much in the overall cost of a build.

oberndorfs are the standard on high end customs, vz's are generaly used for moderate priced builds in 7mmRM, 300wm's etc. i'm using a vz on my 550 express but for my high end builds the order i stick with is oberndorf gew98's, south american contract oberndorfs, mausers banners, dwm argentine 1909's, dwm gew98's, brazilian 1909's, czech brno 98/22's then peruvian high hump 1909's.

for a moderate priced build fn 1950's and zv-24's are good, i consider a moderate priced build to be $1000 or under.

 

[texas chase]

I found another place that has a couple of 1908 Brazilian mausers, which are German made, for $130.

DirtyJim- what do you think about this? Sounds like I'd have to file the mag a bit for proper fit but I don't mind.

 

[dirtyjim]

My 35 whelen is built on a brazilian 1908.
If it's a complete action with the bolt & bottom metal thats not a bad price

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but the days of sporterizing milsurps is over.

If you take a milsurp, above and beyond the initial cost, you need a new bolt handle, a scope-clearing safety, a new stock, and have the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope. That will cost you more than just buying a decent used sporter.

 

[texas chase]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but the days of sporterizing milsurps is over.

If you take a milsurp, above and beyond the initial cost, you need a new bolt handle, a scope-clearing safety, a new stock, and have the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope. That will cost you more than just buying a decent used sporter.

Yep, you're being a wet blanket.

I'm not doin this to be "cost effective " (although I am very frugal) but for fun. I'll learn a ton and it'll be uniquely mine.

 

[dirtyjim]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but the days of sporterizing milsurps is over.

If you take a milsurp, above and beyond the initial cost, you need a new bolt handle, a scope-clearing safety, a new stock, and have the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope. That will cost you more than just buying a decent used sporter.

i often hear that from people who have never built a rifle or someone who has never owned a nice custom rifle.
yes, if you have no skill and no tools building a sporter may not be for you.

if your happy with an off the shelf generic remchester building a sporter may not be for you.

some of use have the skills and the tools and do not care for anything that is currently offered by remchester.
the only way to get a rifle that i want is to build it or have it built and there is not a single off the shelf rifle that would not need an additional $1200-1500+ of work before i would be happy with it so buying off the shelf does not work for me.

when i build it i get the action i want, the barrel i want, the sights i want, the bottom metal i want, the trigger i want, the stock that i want and everything else.
mediocrity may be fine for some people but not for me