skeet king
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I am thinking of building a custom k98 in .308. What pieces would you buy, and where do I get them? Have any of you done this before? Any tips or ideas would be appreciated.
How? Building a custom k98
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jimmyraythomason
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Do you already have an action? If so which? Budget? I Have one in .308 that I built on a Colombian Mauser <http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...4&d=1231122883>
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Just buy an Israeli k98 and problem solved!
*** would you turn k98 into anything else beside 7,92!?
Don't risk being ridiculed
Seriously,you have so many nice guns in USA in .308
At least,buy some decent copy like Yugo M48 if you relay decided to take that risk,ruining original Nazi k98 is a blasphemy!
*** would you turn k98 into anything else beside 7,92!?
Don't risk being ridiculed
Seriously,you have so many nice guns in USA in .308
At least,buy some decent copy like Yugo M48 if you relay decided to take that risk,ruining original Nazi k98 is a blasphemy!
MMCSRET
Member
I've built several on 98 actions and have enjoyed the process and the end result. I have a very good friend and hunting partner who is also a journeyman tool and die maker. He did most of the machine work as a trade, he also built several for himself. Get yourself a copy of the Kuhnhausen manual on Mausers. It will answer a lot of questions before they become problems. You can do it economically and still have a fine finished rifle and you can treat it as a government project and just keep throwing money at it. Research and develop a plan before you start.
skeet king
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I already have a m48 but I don't know if I want to sporterize it. I was thinking about buying one of those k98 baralled actions I see on sale, but I don't know what kind of accurracy you can get out of those. As for the budget I was thinking of up to $700
jimmyraythomason
Member
Ignore Ridicule. The first step is to have a plan.
You have chosen a caliber(and an excellent one at that) now you must choose an action if you don't already have one. I usually peruse the GunBrokercom. rifle parts site. A good stipped receiver can be had for around $40. Also you can get any number of sporter barrels for $70^. For stocks my preference is Interarms or Remington M798. Parker Hale parts will work with a little modification. Triggers abound as do scope mounts. You are only limited by your budget and your imagination.
You have chosen a caliber(and an excellent one at that) now you must choose an action if you don't already have one. I usually peruse the GunBrokercom. rifle parts site. A good stipped receiver can be had for around $40. Also you can get any number of sporter barrels for $70^. For stocks my preference is Interarms or Remington M798. Parker Hale parts will work with a little modification. Triggers abound as do scope mounts. You are only limited by your budget and your imagination.
NCsmitty
Member
The model 48 is a medium length action as is the 24/47 action and are still available at reasonable prices. Both are ideal for 308 case applications as they give you a little extra magazine length to be able to seat your bullets out. Add a Bold or Timney trigger, have the bolt altered for scope use and have a barrel installed to your specifications with a custom synthetic or wood stock. D&T the receiver for a scope then blue or Duracoat the metal and you're ready to go.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
JWF III
Member
$700 might be tough to do, if you're anything like me. I started building one (6.5x.284) with the idea of keeping it on a tight budget for hunting. I have since decided to upgrade each item I've ordered for it. Never planning on each upgrade, just deciding last minute to order the part that is a little bit better. As of right now, I'm up to near $2000 (not counting the $600 I've already spent for the scope) and still have to get the stock and do all the finish work on it. The $2k is just what is invested in the barreled action and stock furniture. And with the exception of installing the barrel and refinishing the action with the new barrel, I've done 100% of the work.
The upside-I'll end up with a presentation grade rifle.
The downside-I still need another rifle to hunt with in less than ideal conditions.
Wyman
The upside-I'll end up with a presentation grade rifle.
The downside-I still need another rifle to hunt with in less than ideal conditions.
Wyman
aka108
Member
If you can find a beat up 1909 Argentine Mauser made by DWM in Berlin you'll have a nicer made action than what you will find in a WW11 k98. Good place to start.
MMCSRET
Member
The best one I have is built on an intermediate length Oberndorf from the 1909 Peruvian contract, originally in 7.65X53. I had thought to build a 7X57, but the magazine was too short so I went with 7MM-08, 20" barrel. Great shooter and looks good, not fancy.
jimmyraythomason
Member
+1 for the Argy 1909. With it you have the hinged floor plate which is the best of the military Mausers.
If you mean building a nice sporter from a military Mauser 98 action then your going to waste money.
By the time your done you will have spent far more than the gun is worth. Better to buy a complete rifle made on the Mauser pattern. These were done by Winchester (most M70's), FN etc.
Even the JC Higgins M51 will walk away value and feature wise from that old military stuff.
I picked up a nice sporter made on a 1909 for $650 that came with the 2-7 Leupold on it. It's estimated that the rifle cost $1400 to make.
Your throwing money away.
By the time your done you will have spent far more than the gun is worth. Better to buy a complete rifle made on the Mauser pattern. These were done by Winchester (most M70's), FN etc.
Even the JC Higgins M51 will walk away value and feature wise from that old military stuff.
I picked up a nice sporter made on a 1909 for $650 that came with the 2-7 Leupold on it. It's estimated that the rifle cost $1400 to make.
Your throwing money away.
jimmyraythomason
Member
So,Savage 99,why did you buy a $650 sporter when Savage bolt guns cost less new and good used Win.70,Rem.700s also cost less?
MMCSRET
Member
I'm not in the high dollar crowd on custom builds for some reason. The Oberndorf I mentioned above came to less than $300.00 finished and ready to scope. I never consider the scope as part of the price because it can range from $29.95 to $1500.00 or more. I do consider the drilling and tapping and bases in the price.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I built many Mauser sporters (note- "sporter" and "custom" are 2 entirely different things) over the years. I don't recall figuring the price to build any of them. Building your own rifle isn't about price.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Some of the things you will need to do include:
*Re-barreling by someone with an action wrench, barrel vice, lathe, chamber reamers, and headspace gages. And the skill to do it
*Drill & tap receiver for scope mounts.
*Bend bolt handle for scope clearance.
*Add a low mount scope safety.
*Add a good trigger.
*Reshape and polish trigger guard.
*Add a floor-plate release.
*Polish & blue the barreled action.
*Polish the bolt, mag follower, and other parts.
*Inlet, bed, and finish a sporter stock.
*Add recoil pad.
*Checker the stock.
*Add sling swivels.
If you want a nice sporter when you get done:
Figure it costing at least the price of any number of nice factory sporters including Savage, Remington, Ruger, CZ, Weatherby, etc. etc.
And probably more.
rc
*Re-barreling by someone with an action wrench, barrel vice, lathe, chamber reamers, and headspace gages. And the skill to do it
*Drill & tap receiver for scope mounts.
*Bend bolt handle for scope clearance.
*Add a low mount scope safety.
*Add a good trigger.
*Reshape and polish trigger guard.
*Add a floor-plate release.
*Polish & blue the barreled action.
*Polish the bolt, mag follower, and other parts.
*Inlet, bed, and finish a sporter stock.
*Add recoil pad.
*Checker the stock.
*Add sling swivels.
If you want a nice sporter when you get done:
Figure it costing at least the price of any number of nice factory sporters including Savage, Remington, Ruger, CZ, Weatherby, etc. etc.
And probably more.
rc
jimmyraythomason
Member
rcmodel ,that is a very accurate list. I do all of that myself except for the re-barrelling which I have done by Jim McCullough of Selma,Al. He charges me $75.00 to re-barrel and ream chamber(plus $25.00 each way for shipping). If I were to figure cost for my own sporters it would be WAY below what it would cost someone who doesn't do their own work. OP,I tend to buy a lot of my components off Gunbroker.com. This is also a good source for after-market parts <http://www.sporterexpress.com/index.php?cPath=90&osCsid=778b31f85f426ba2e409d6e938745e0a>.
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As noted, rebuilding a military rifle isn't the most economical way to have a nice rifle. But, many shooters enjoy the process of building a custom gun and some of us just like the classic Mauser action and are willing to invest the time and money to have something that you can't just waltz in off the street and buy off the rack at the gun shop. And you don't have to spend a fortune, either.
Does it have to be a 308? This one is a Colombian 98 in 30-'06. The stock was $59 from Numrich; the express sights were $100 and the front sight is from a Ruger 77 and was fairly cheap; added a barrel mounted front sling swivel for good measure; a smith charged me like $50 to install all of it. Drilling for scope mounts would be cheaper but I wanted the classic look of the 3-leaf express sight. The military barrel was fine by me. I think I have about $350 total in this project.
Commercial actions can be found on the auction sites. This is a CZ standard length 98 with dual set triggers I got for $245. Found a used barrel in 30-'06 for $50. The stock is a European style from Great American Gunstock Co. and as a "second" it was about $125. I think it looks just fine. I picked up the receiver sight off ebay for $20 and the front ramp came from Numrich (God I love that place) for another $20. Again I had a smith add the swivel on the barrel (I like the look) and for $40 he fit the stock and the checkered metal butt plate that set me back about $25. I think I have about $550 in this project.
You can also buy a rifle already cut up as your starting point or one already nicely done the way you want or close to what you want so all you need do are the finishing touches. I got this a couple months ago off GunBroker for $400 and it came with the features I like. Still in 8x57 which isn't quite as useful as an American 30 caliber but it does what I need and I could always scare up a replacement barrel if I wanted to change the caliber.
Does it have to be a 308? This one is a Colombian 98 in 30-'06. The stock was $59 from Numrich; the express sights were $100 and the front sight is from a Ruger 77 and was fairly cheap; added a barrel mounted front sling swivel for good measure; a smith charged me like $50 to install all of it. Drilling for scope mounts would be cheaper but I wanted the classic look of the 3-leaf express sight. The military barrel was fine by me. I think I have about $350 total in this project.
Commercial actions can be found on the auction sites. This is a CZ standard length 98 with dual set triggers I got for $245. Found a used barrel in 30-'06 for $50. The stock is a European style from Great American Gunstock Co. and as a "second" it was about $125. I think it looks just fine. I picked up the receiver sight off ebay for $20 and the front ramp came from Numrich (God I love that place) for another $20. Again I had a smith add the swivel on the barrel (I like the look) and for $40 he fit the stock and the checkered metal butt plate that set me back about $25. I think I have about $550 in this project.
You can also buy a rifle already cut up as your starting point or one already nicely done the way you want or close to what you want so all you need do are the finishing touches. I got this a couple months ago off GunBroker for $400 and it came with the features I like. Still in 8x57 which isn't quite as useful as an American 30 caliber but it does what I need and I could always scare up a replacement barrel if I wanted to change the caliber.
jimmyraythomason wrote: "So,Savage 99,why did you buy a $650 sporter when Savage bolt guns cost less new and good used Win.70,Rem.700s also cost less?"
Because I got a 2-7 Leupold with it for that price. Also the stock is of superb quality. The finish on the rifle is also outstanding and it has an octagon barrel. Those are some reasons. In other words for $450 or so (less scope) its worth it in my view.
Because I got a 2-7 Leupold with it for that price. Also the stock is of superb quality. The finish on the rifle is also outstanding and it has an octagon barrel. Those are some reasons. In other words for $450 or so (less scope) its worth it in my view.
paintballdude902
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heres my opinion on building on the mil surp actions
if you want to make YOUR rifle not one that u picked out but one you designed and picked out all the parts they are a great place to start
if you are looking to buy something for value totally wrong place to start the build
you can make a very nice rifle that will shoot very well for a decent price and to top it off its yours
if you are looking to build your rifle do it. it will becoem a great rifle that wont have alot of monetary value but will have loads of value to you pass it one to your kids some day
if you want to make YOUR rifle not one that u picked out but one you designed and picked out all the parts they are a great place to start
if you are looking to buy something for value totally wrong place to start the build
you can make a very nice rifle that will shoot very well for a decent price and to top it off its yours
if you are looking to build your rifle do it. it will becoem a great rifle that wont have alot of monetary value but will have loads of value to you pass it one to your kids some day
jimmyraythomason
Member
Savage99, NICE! FWIW,my Mausers are worth it in my view as well.
Duke of Doubt
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Bubba strikes again.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Trolling again,Duke?
Chumming the waters....
Chumming the waters....Are you building it for the experience, or to have a nice rifle?
I bought myself a "custom" 98 in .25-06 not long ago. It's actually a commerical job - a 98 turned into a "model 2165" by Voere Kufstein in Austria.
Here's a link to a .30-06. I'm only posting this because a couple of the guns above look like these do. If you want that result, these seem a reasonable acquisition given the time you wouldn't have to invest.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126914680
Neat guns. The recoil pad on mine is fitted perfectly - not like the one in the auction appears to be. There are also two blades in the rear sight, one that flips up and down, to vary elevation.
I bought myself a "custom" 98 in .25-06 not long ago. It's actually a commerical job - a 98 turned into a "model 2165" by Voere Kufstein in Austria.
Here's a link to a .30-06. I'm only posting this because a couple of the guns above look like these do. If you want that result, these seem a reasonable acquisition given the time you wouldn't have to invest.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126914680
Neat guns. The recoil pad on mine is fitted perfectly - not like the one in the auction appears to be. There are also two blades in the rear sight, one that flips up and down, to vary elevation.
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