an old 98 sporter

[s&w 24]

I recieved my grandfathers old 98 mauser hunting rifle a few years back and now I need to figure out what I'm doing with it. It's a '45 german manufacture reciever that has been D/T for a redfield peep sight, bbl cut to 20", reblued, and the military stock cut down to "sporter" configuration. This is how my granddad bought it from a sporting goods dealer in the late 40's with his two other brothers. I'd like to just leave it be but It's not very usable the way it is. The bbl has soo much free bore that I can seat 220 grain spitzer bullets all the way out to the base of the case neck, the bedding on the stock is horid and the stock is made for some one 5' and I'm 6'6".

I'd like to keep the redfield sight but thats about it. I'm thinking a bear/moose non magnum cartrige and if I can find one a whelen type stock. before you ask what else I have look below.

 

[jaimeshawn]

How does it shoot?

I picked up an Arisaka for $50 that someone had hacksawed off the stock and shortened the chamber to 300 Savage and it still shoots great. I've kept it as a loaner rifle that I could hand to someone w a box of ammo and say, "You can kill anything that you can see with this thing." A stock can be refinished, bedding can be redone, but if the thing still drives tacks, you can kill anything you want with 8mm.

OTOH maybe you have a dream about shooting grizzly in Alaska. One of my Nephews does, and that's OK... You could rebarrel to 35 Whelen. You can get enough recoil out of that to keep you busy.

 

[db_tanker]

either 35 Whelen or mebbe a 338/06.


If you get that Whelen stock, then I would say go with the 35.


I am sure that caliber has taken a few brownies...just have to make sure you got a good, quick follow-up IMO.

D

 

[s&w 24]

does it shoot?

nope. Military ammo,factory, and handloads won't group consistantly.

 

[dfaugh]

I've got a really ratty VZ-24---Action is good (but crest ground off), but barrel has too much freebore, and crown is lousy(rifling is OK). Because I'm on a strict budget, it's gonna get converted to 8mm-06 AI. Because of the longer cartridge, the throat will get "cleaned up". You can ream the new chamber WITHOUT removing the barrel(saves $$$). I'm also shortening the barrel (which'll take care of the crown.) Been "scrounging" parts for a while,and will have less than $300 in entire project.

I have reliable reloading data,that places the 8mm-06 AI somewhere between .35 Whelen and .338 Win Mag. Used to be hard to find a variety of 8mm bullets, for reloading, but now there's a pretty good selection.

 

[s&w 24]

theres that 8X'06 again. maybe I should just go that way.