What is the best surplus 98K Mauser for a shooter?

[flakbait]

What is the best, inexpensive surplus C+R eligible military 8M mauser on the market these days for plinking purposes (not collecting)? Pre and Post-WWII rifles would be acceptable...No need to pay big money for swastika stamps in a gun that's just a shooter.

 

[highorder]

These are nice:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=120

 

[Marlin270]

While not a 98 (bolt is a little shorter), the Yugo 24/47 are pretty nice and a little cheaper. Some are almost new as they were built after WWII and not beat up. JG and Samco seem to have them. There's usually some on the tables as the local gun shows.

 

[desidog]

I'll second the Vz.24 recommendation...although mine doesn't have a stock near as nice as that one pictured on the AIM site, I still like it. It's wearing a scout scope now, and eager for deer season.

ETA: Forgot to mention that I added a Bold Trigger too. I haven't gotten to the range yet to see how it helps the groups; but it sure feels nice now. Both the trigger and scout-scope rail on the rear sight are huge improvements for shooting, but can be swapped back; so not necessarily "bubba'ing" modifications for true aficionados.

 

[theotherwaldo]

-I was about to ask, "What is the quintessential Mauser Rifle - the one that could stand for the entire class?"

I think that my question has already been answered - the VZ-24.

 

[DougW]

VZ24 or a later M48A, There were some nice ones around a few years ago. The VZ24's are a bit hard to find, I have found.

 

[highorder]

The VZ24's are a bit hard to find, I have found.

Here are six to choose from.

 

[nathan]

check allansarmory.com for German K 98s.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Well, I handled some VZ-24s and didn't like them. Found something else for about the same money, though - a "Turkish" Mauser. It's a CZ-98/22 with Czech markings and a nice bore. Straight bolt, of course, but that's a plus for me. I tend to shoot left-handed, and reach across the action to work the bolt.

Anyway, this one looks and feels like the quintessential military Mauser - at least to me. Now to see how it shoots... .

 

[SteelyAaron]

I just got a yugo 24. I am very happy with it. It is in excellent condition all around and shoots just as well. I am already contemplating getting a second one to put a scout scope on.

 

[finnfan]

I'm a big fan of Yugo Mausers. All the ones I've handled were well made and accurate. Prices on them are still very resonable too.

 

[Olympus]

For a shooter, either the Yugo M48(A/B/AB) or Yugo 24/47.

 

[Al Diehl]

Here are some 98k rifles. $319.00

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000102

Al

 

[Float Pilot]

+ ++ VZ-24

If you do not mind hand-loading an odd cartridge , the Argentine 1909s in 7.65mm Mauser, are usually good shooters. I have competed against a couple in Mauser matches and they are usually very tight shooters.

The high dollar Persian contract Mausers, (Czech made by VZ) are also often in very good shape with super condition bores. The best made Mauser 98s were made from 1900 to the late 1930s.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If you do not mind hand-loading an odd cartridge , the Argentine 1909s in 7.65mm Mauser, are usually good shooters.

You don't have to handload to enjoy the 7.65x53 cartridge. Prvi Partisan ammo can usually be readily found at very reasonable prices.

 

[Dr.Rob]

There are a lot of BRNO guns that ended up on the surplus market.. made for the Germans but never issued. Most will have receiver markings ground off but are great shooters. Think the issued 98k Brno guns are marked DOT and DOU.


(Side note: one Isreali soldier (a guy in charge of getting weapons) claimed that a lor of 98K's sent to Israel post WW2 had bent front sights, like the Czechs were purposefully messing with the sights. Never seen this in a 308 conversion 98k--suspect the Isreali 98k's were fixed before issuing.)