Israeli Mauser to .338 Federal

[RWMC]

I have an Israeli .308 Mauser with a badly worn barrel. I wanted to keep the original barrel on the rifle, but have it rebored and rechambered to a caliber size that would be large enough to "freshen" the bore. I am thinking of the new .338 Federal. What do you think?

 

[JesseL]

It's my understanding that the likelihood of a rebore being successful is greatly dependent on the particular steel the barrel is made from. Keep that in mind.

Other than that, 338 Federal seems like a wonderfully useful round and I can't see any fault with that choice.

 

[rangerruck]

seems like there is also something like a 325 winny , or something or other, but a steel check would deff be in order, I do like the idea of either, if they can both be done in the 308 platform.

 

[7mmRemMag]

The cheapest factory ammo for the 338 that I have found is over 40 bucks a box just to let ya know

 

[Jim Watson]

Clearwater, which took over Cliff LaBounty's operation says:

Rebore with Neck and Throat

We rebore your rifle barrel to a larger caliber of your choice and then cut a new neck and throat into the chamber. This allows you to step up in caliber while staying within a family of cartridges. A common example is converting a .30-06 Springfield to a .35 Whelan. This service includes a new muzzle crown and re-marking the caliber designation. We require that you send the complete firearm so we can accurately headspace and test fire it.

Price...$295.00

 

[Float Pilot]

Reboring and re-rifling to .338 caliber may not work since you already have a poor bore to start with.

Finding another 7.62 Nato barrel for yor M98 would be less expensive and faster. I assume that the rifle is still in military condition and has not been chopped on...

BTW, the 8mm (7.92 x 57mm) Mauser will do anything that the 338 Federal can do.

 

[taylorce1]

I'm not too familiar with Israeli Mauser's, but is it a true short action? If it isn't and it is a standard length action then why not a .338-06? The .338-06 has more potential than the .338 Federal especially if you are not limited by cartridge length. Of course I'm a little biased as to the caliber as I've owned one now for almost 4 years.

As far as reboring the barrel I'd look this guy up as well.http://www.cutrifle.com/

 

[Gator]

The easiest, and cheapest, solution would be to replace the barrel with an 8mm Mauser barrel. You'd have the original barrel in case you wanted to sell it.

Reboring means spending $300 to turn a $3-400 gun into a $150 gun.