Mauser 98 potential project

[psychosomatic88]

Hi chaps,

I have a few bang sticks, and I like to keep them in the same calibres just for ease of the ammo. I want a 1000yard rifle but dont have an appropriate calibre/rifle.Well, except I have a 1937 oberndorf mauser 98k with a portugese crest, nazi stampings and laminate stock. It however is mismatched and the bore aint great, rifling is rounded and shoots like 6-8moa if I remember.

So, I dont think it is something I would worry about modifying and was thinking about getting it rebarreled, new trigger (timney or such), drilled and tapped and drop it in a nice stock. I would probably keep it 0.323", 8x57is and shoot the 200grain SMK. Performance wise, Im guessing 8x57 should be capable for 1000m.

Advantages would be it should be a good strong donor action, already on ticket, have the brass, reloading dies etc. I can work on it as a project as/when and I really like the mauser action, especially when polished up.

What do you think?

[meles meles]

Awesome idea, ooman ! We think 7.92x57 is a much under-rated cartridge. Go for it. Mik at the Dolphinarium does good rebarrelling work...

[saddler]

The 6-8 moa, is that with home loads or mil-surp/factory?

Given the potential cost for a re-barrel/re-proof, you'd be able to have a similar end product for a much lower outlay by picking up one of the dozens of similar Mauser actioned TR's that seem to crop up in the price range of £50-£150; with little rhyme or reason as to why one is £150 & another almost identical one is £50. Another option would be a Parker Hale 98 actioned rifle.

I'd fund the new rifle by selling the K98 as is, to a re-enactor or collector, as it's worth a lot more now than it will be after a rebuild.
HUNDREDS if not thousands of similar G98/K98 donor rifles have been so altered in the years since WW1 - the trend now is to try to undo the changes & revert them back to military trim...

One of these already converted models will be a much better starting point.

[meles meles]

Sensibubble points, ratty, well made. We'd suggest sticking to 7.92 though...

[saddler]

I seem to remember that P~H made some of their rifles in 7,92 - either for the box-head market or as a way to use the then cheaper than chips WW2 surplus ammunition

I'd also bet that IF you were to find such a beastie it'd be a cheaper buy than a similar P~H in .308 or .270

[meles meles]

Hmm, and with ammozone currently selling new manufacture 7.92x57 at £40 / 100 ...

[saddler]

Hmm, and with ammozone currently selling new manufacture 7.92x57 at £40 / 100 ...

Oooh, am they....will have a look as my G98 is not too keen on the 1950's Czech MG ammo

[psychosomatic88]

That was with home loads and worse with surplus.

I wouldnt do this to my mosin sniper, as I dont like to think of destroying history, but I dont think the mauser would count as in my opinion is a poor example and cant see it getting much really.

[saddler]

That was with home loads and worse with surplus.

I wouldnt do this to my mosin sniper, as I dont like to think of destroying history, but I dont think the mauser would count as in my opinion is a poor example and cant see it getting much really.

For as re-enactor you'd be surprised. Have a look at what the Russian capture rifles are fetching.
Makes little difference to them as they only use blanks in them & rarely if ever clean them after use.

[psychosomatic88]

Well having seen the price of deactivated pistols then, I guess that makes sense.