So i got a "new" k98,...

[sheepdog_tx]

A russian cap 1939 "27" from Erfurter Maschinenfabrik (ERMA) with some decent blueing, still pretty good overall but the stock is rough.

Question 1: How good a shot are these with just irons? According to an older collecter my Garand has a better reach then the k98 with it windage sights however I have my doubts a semi gas-op has an edge on a boltie of equal quality.

Question 2: Appears this stock is a laminated beechwood with little to no cosmoline. I want to steam out the nicks and sand it out for a refinish as I did my Garand. Whats oil or sealer should I use for a look closest to the original? Tung oil? Lacquer?

 

[sheepdog_tx]

No one?

 

[BsChoy]

Sheepdog, I have been told and read in several places that the iron sights on the rifle are good but peeps like on the 1903 and M-1 are better. Plaus those rifles have longer sight radius's so that makes them short more accurately as they are slightly more forgiving. I too just purchased my first K98 but have yet to shoot it. As far as your refinishing question I have been told by a great majority to keep it original. I just laid my gun in front of a heater and sweated the cosmo out of the stock before reassembling it. Hope this helps

Chris