Sporterized (not bubbaed) K98

[WardenWolf]

You know, just my luck this rifle is probably a 1943. I say that, because both my Turkish Mauser and Mosin Nagant are 1943's. All nice rifles. This is my 5th World War II-era rifle, though all the others are in original condition:

Japanese Arisaka Type 99: Kokura Series 21, 1940-1941
M1 Carbine (forget maker and year)
Mosin Nagant: 1943 Izhevsk
Turkish Mauser: 1943 Ankara
German Mauser: 1942-1945

All fun rifles to shoot. Arisaka ammo is a little hard to come by, though Hornady makes it. I'll let you know how the Mauser shoots after I try it out on Saturday.

 

[BrocLuno]

Prvi makes Arisaka 7.7 and it's in stock at Grafs and Reeds right now. $20'ish a box. MrNambu usually has all the Arisaka ammo you could want for about the same

 

[WardenWolf]

Well, finally got her out to the range. She's hitting 1" groups at 100 yards. Not bad for a nearly 70 year old $250 rifle with the original barrel. I think I got a winner.

 

[CZguy]

Well, finally got her out to the range. She's hitting 1" groups at 100 yards. Not bad for a nearly 70 year old $250 rifle with the original barrel. I think I got a winner.

I think that's outstanding. I would have expected a 2" or even 3" group from a rifle of that vintage.

It's nice to have one that shoots as good as it looks.

 

[WardenWolf]

The barrel is partially free-floated and she's set up quite nicely. Too bad the scope I put on it seems to be its biggest drawback. The Simmons scope I got for it didn't want to take the adjustment. Took a lot of finagling with it to get it sighted in. But once I did, it held the zero, and it consistently patterned 1" groups or even a little less. Nice rifle.

 

[451 Detonics]

The barrel on mine is free floated...I do think that helps me get the groups I get. I have thought hard about sending mine to TTI to have the Straight Jacket shroud installed. The concept really intrigues me and I think it bears investigating.

 

[WardenWolf]

All right, I got my low-profile safety installed. Any pointers for disassembling the bolt when you CAN'T put the safety on? Yes, I function tested it during reassembly. It worked fine then. But doesn't work now that it's fully reassembled and screwed down all the way.

 

[dirtyjim]

use the corner of your workbench to pull the cp back enough so you can turn the shroud

 

[WardenWolf]

Got it already (before I refreshed). I used a wooden block instead of a workbench, but it worked. I reinstalled the original safety. This POS is worthless. Doesn't work and I can't see why. Even though I filed it, the safety still won't go on. And it's not just stiff. I tapped it with a block and hammer to try to put it on. It flat won't go. Now my hands are sore as hell and I'm covered in sweat. And I'm NOT happy.

 

[RevGeo]

I have had several sporter Mausers and I love 'em. I guess I really like old school stuff because I'm getting old..Currently I'm hunting with a single-shot rifle with a 98 action rechambered for 30-40 Ackley Improved but since the bore is 8mm it's really an 8mm/40 ackley improved . It was originally chambered for some European rimmed cartridge and my late father had the rebarrel job done. Obviously this is a reload only situation.
Anyway - Warden Wolf, I'd recommend a cool old school scope like a Lyman Alaskan or some such. They are on ebay now and then fairly reasonably.
They really add to the charm of the rifle, IMO. Really nice gun you got there, by they way.

George