Looking at a Bubba Mauser 98?

[benzy2]

I was in the local shop today and saw a Mauser 98 action with a sporter 7mmWSM and sporter stock. I am looking at hunting black bear in a year or so and thought this may be a rather inexpensive way to get in the door. Any thoughts on value here? I didn't get the manufacturer of the barrel but I doubt it is anything amazing. Overall it was an average conversion but it was marked at $230 which included a scope mount, rings, and an older Bushnell 3-9(looked Japan made from the construction but I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it). I know how they deal and I wouldn't be surprised if I could get out the door right at $200. I reload so ammo cost isn't much of an issue. This would be a rarely used rifle so barrel life isn't a huge deal and since it will be used so rarely the price tag is attractive as well. I have thought about going with a Steven, Vanguard, Venture, etc. budget rifle. They all seem to shoot far well enough for hunting black bear and are on the budget side of things. Toss on a Weaver shotgun scope, some decent mounts, and I would be out the door fairly inexpensive, though still at least double this rifle. Any thoughts? I've never bought a bubba rifle before so its all a bit new to me.

 

[rcmodel]

A 7mm WSM would require extensive bolt face, extractor, and receiver feed rail modification to get it to work in a 98.

If they will let you try it and take it back if it won't feed, fire, and function freely, I might be tempted.

If they won't, I would pass.

Your chance of success would be much higher if it hadn't been in a 7mm Whizzem.

Anything based on the 30-06 case would very likely work in a 98 without extensive action mods..
A Whizzem, not so much.

rc

 

[NCsmitty]

As rcmodel made clear, the hardest part of the WSM conversions is getting the shells to feed. The feed rails need to be opened to function with those short, fat dudes, but still retain the shells in the magazine. If the rails are opened too much, the shells won't stay in the mag or feed right. Then you have to add some metal back and that is not easy.
I know of two Mauser conversions, one in 325WSM and one in 300WSM. The 300 came out ok, but the 325 became a nightmare. I'm not sure if the guy ever got it straightened out.
I would make sure that the rifle functions right before committing.



NCsmitty

 

[hawmanai]

I would stick with a factory rifle in a standard round, 308, 30.06.

Look into the Bubba action if you are ready to tinker and change it to your tastes. The short magnums are fat and stubby and using it in the Mauser action requires a lot of work and might have problems feeding from the magazine.