The easiest answer is 7x57 or 8x57.
.257 Roberts, as a derivative of 7x57, should work as well.
.257 Roberts, as a derivative of 7x57, should work as well.
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Gewehr 98 action
- Thread starter bodhisafa
- Start date
The Mauser case. .22-6mm(W)*, .6mm Rem, .257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 6.5x57, 7x57, 30x57(W)*, 7.65x53, 7.65x57(W)*, 7.7x58 Japanese, 7.92x57, .338x57, 9x57, and 9.3x57.
A couple that will fit, and maybe fit your purposes, a 6.5x50 Arisaka cartridge and the 6.5x54 Mannlicher cartridge. Those two cases are slightly off the Mauser case but will work in one. You would have to find a gunsmith who understands what you plan to use so he can cut the throat properly.
While having the same head, the 30-06 was based on the 7x57 case, but improved a bit.
* wildcat cartridge
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Black and silver on top 308, right below it 257 Roberts in an Argentine, and below that 458 Winchester magnum in a Charles Daily. The one on the bottom I have the most invested in because I had to have help with it it was my first and the receiver was in the white not yet heat treated. I think grand total I might have $1500 bucks wrapped up in it. The 308 maybe $700, and I don't even remember on the 257. The 308 I did entirely by myself but with the other two I do not have the ability to put sights on a barrel and as I said heat treatment and bluing on the 458 was more than I wanted you tackle also. Plus since it was my first I got the rifle roughed up and let him do the finish work.
As for your action there is a tool that you can purchase to lap the bolt rails. If you are having someone else finish the build they will take care of it, it would have probably been better to blue it after checking the torque shoulder but either way I'm sure it will be fine. Do not, I repeat do not scrap this build. I catch a lot of flack sometimes for my 308 until they see it shoot because it's not a Remington or some other fancy new action some people dont think it's worth saving.
As for your action there is a tool that you can purchase to lap the bolt rails. If you are having someone else finish the build they will take care of it, it would have probably been better to blue it after checking the torque shoulder but either way I'm sure it will be fine. Do not, I repeat do not scrap this build. I catch a lot of flack sometimes for my 308 until they see it shoot because it's not a Remington or some other fancy new action some people dont think it's worth saving.
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I could see there being a tool to lap the bolt rails and also to true the front ring. I sometimes wish there was a tool to give accurate adjustments to different cartridges that will feed in the Mauser action.
One cartridge very underrated in a Mauser action is the .300 Savage. Handloaded, it's right on par with the .308. In fact it is the parent case of the .308. A little shorter so it gives just a bit more room to work through the action.
220 Swift will feed fine on a 98 action. That was my 2nd ever custom rifle built and it was for going prairie dogging. Yep hard on barrels just like the 22-250 Rem.
The 98's are suppose to have the barrel set up so the breech face of the barrel bottoms out/tightens against the inside ring of the in the action. I set mine up so the shoulder of the barrel will time/just touch the receiver face also.
Some guys will clean up the receiver face and install the barrel like you normally do on a shouldered barreled.
The 98's are suppose to have the barrel set up so the breech face of the barrel bottoms out/tightens against the inside ring of the in the action. I set mine up so the shoulder of the barrel will time/just touch the receiver face also.
Some guys will clean up the receiver face and install the barrel like you normally do on a shouldered barreled.
I should have mentioned the Swift. It feeds as well as a 6.5 Japanese.
Added: I will say people who shoot a swift know not to burn one out in a day. ? Guys that buy .22-250's don't think it will happen...
But it does.
I am running a .280 ai in mine. It's fun to have a Mauser action, but not easy. I have 10 stripped actions laying around, and in the process of building another wood stock for the .280. if doing it for nostalgia, cool. If not get a different action. Not a huge stock selection available that is not just a base hunting stock. Also scope mounting can be a pickle. I had a canted rail for mine built. The gun shoots phenominal, but once I get it done, I will likely be trying to dump 10 actions.
There are different followers that help with feeding various cartridges.
Added: One thing to avoid is going too short on the cartridge body. I’ve seen 6mm BR’a jam up because they push the back of the follower down. Or, the top ones move forward so far they lose full body contact with the rails. Then they all point down in the magazine.
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I did rebuild a WW2 K98k. New barrel and chambered it in 7.92x33mm (8Kurz). Shortened the mag follower on the back end and put a filler block in the backend of the mag well as well. Worked like a million bucks. I know this is totally getting away from what the OP is looking to do but they’re are options.
Also did one in 7x57AI. Very nice sporter!
Also did one in 7x57AI. Very nice sporter!
Frank???
Jim Kobe out of Bloomington, MN is a very good Mauser smith. And, his turnaround times are amazing!
I do think the rarer ones should be restored if/when possible. Seen any G33/40's lately?
Yessir! A friend found this in a pawn shop...
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The 6XC is a shortened .243. Shortened down to the length of a .300 Savage. Which is shorter than the .22-250 case (.250 Sav case). It also has a 30 deg. Shoulder, but retains the .454” dia. at the shoulder.
A 6mm XC necked to .224, or just left as 6mm would be great in your Mauser action.
If I stumbled onto one of these and was gonna build it for myself...I'd be hard pressed not to just run a straight .284 and call it good (or something on the .284 case). The 7.5x55 Swiss would also be tempting (though arguably we're talking generations of .284 at this point).
Actually, that's not the problem. I have a 6-284 and it feeds fine. The problem is you can only put three rounds in the magazine.
Added: Here is Jim Kobe's contact info.
Jims Gun Shop
Licensee Name: Kobe, James A
10841 Oxborough Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55437
Phone: 952-884-6031
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As I posted recently in another thread, I built a M98 (VZ.24) into a 7mmRM a couple years back and it is a fantastic shooter.
I had a local smith do the machine work that I couldn't and he was amazing. I purchased a short chambered Shilen and brought that to him. He cleaned up the action, trued the receiver face, cleaned the action threads, re-faced the bolt for the larger case head of the 7mag, opened up the feed rails, fitted a turned bolt handle and threaded and timed the muzzle for my brake and fitted a PTG 20moa base I supplied.
I did the stock work on it, including opening up the barrel channel, pillar bedding the rear action screw and ultimately bedding the action to the stock.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the results. With both Hornady Precision hunter in 162gr and my handloads with Nosler brass and 162gr ELD-X projectiles, Im getting a consistent half MOA.
Total investment is right around $1,100-$1,300, including the original purchase of the rifle ($108 back in 1999). I think I got my moneys worth at this point.
My smith has since moved to Clearwater Florida, but if you want his info, I message me and I will be happy to share it with you.
I had a local smith do the machine work that I couldn't and he was amazing. I purchased a short chambered Shilen and brought that to him. He cleaned up the action, trued the receiver face, cleaned the action threads, re-faced the bolt for the larger case head of the 7mag, opened up the feed rails, fitted a turned bolt handle and threaded and timed the muzzle for my brake and fitted a PTG 20moa base I supplied.
I did the stock work on it, including opening up the barrel channel, pillar bedding the rear action screw and ultimately bedding the action to the stock.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the results. With both Hornady Precision hunter in 162gr and my handloads with Nosler brass and 162gr ELD-X projectiles, Im getting a consistent half MOA.
Total investment is right around $1,100-$1,300, including the original purchase of the rifle ($108 back in 1999). I think I got my moneys worth at this point.
My smith has since moved to Clearwater Florida, but if you want his info, I message me and I will be happy to share it with you.
What about scope bases/ rings /scope?Don’t want to break the bank, however will the spend the money on pieces that work well for these Mauser rifles.
Don’t know what would be the pros and cons of using a Picatinny base vs spilt base.
Don’t know what would be the pros and cons of using a Picatinny base vs spilt base.
One piece Picatinny rails give you far more options. I have one piece Picatinny’s on several rifles
Farrell is the best. EGW will suffice if you aren’t treating he rifle rough. Weaver still makes a “Tactical” for a Mauser as well, I believe.
I went EGW. I’ve run them in the past and properly installed, they won’t let you down.
I have had good luck with egw. I also epoxy all my rails on. It has helped eliminate any variable there, and has helped to maintain zero.
Well I bought the ferrel base, should be here next week.
For giggles I had a 270 Winchester laying around (factory 130 grain from Winchester loaded to 3.397 coal). Noticed the round barely fit in the bottom metal that cane with my Mauser all matching numbers. Is this as long as all Mauser are? I may just have to stick with a short action cartridge for this build.
For giggles I had a 270 Winchester laying around (factory 130 grain from Winchester loaded to 3.397 coal). Noticed the round barely fit in the bottom metal that cane with my Mauser all matching numbers. Is this as long as all Mauser are? I may just have to stick with a short action cartridge for this build.
The 7.92x57 cartridge it was designed to hold has an overall length of 82mm...about 3.22”.
You need to select a cartridge as close to that length as possible or modify the action. It all depends how far down the rabbit hole you are willing to go.
You need to select a cartridge as close to that length as possible or modify the action. It all depends how far down the rabbit hole you are willing to go.
Did FN commercial actions have longer magazines to accommodate the -06 and magnum rounds they came in?
There are better options than a 30-06 based case if you really need to stretch the bullet out.
A 6.5x55 with the highest BC bullets or a 6.5x55 Improved. I like the RCBS version with the 30 deg shoulder and less body blowout. The taper ends up closer to a .308 based case. Another option is to find the 7mm wildcat based off the 6.5x55. IIRC, it has a blown out and forward shoulder too. The reason for that case over the 7x57 is better brass. You can get 6.5x55 Lapua, you can't get 7x57 Lapua brass.
I'm not so fond of the Ackley versions as the steep should tends to act too much as a pressure damn, and at max loads blocks flow of the powder plasma. Meaning top loads can go from looking fine to blowing primers in just a few rounds as the barrel heats up a little.
I know there are different lengths. I am under the impression the action we've been talking about in this thread is a "long" Mauser action.
Scope rails are made for the 98 Mauser by Medesha
Model 98's had to have material removed from the feed ramp area for cartridges longer than 8x57. Some gunsmiths would chamber them for long cartridges like .300 H&H. IMHO this is not a safe practice. Of the 10's of millions of 98's produces my guess is that Ten's of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands have been rechambered. Every gunsmith worth their salt in the 1950's and 1960's were working on Military surplus rifles.
Good Luck
Jerry
Scope Mount Rails
www.medeshafirearms.com
Model 98's had to have material removed from the feed ramp area for cartridges longer than 8x57. Some gunsmiths would chamber them for long cartridges like .300 H&H. IMHO this is not a safe practice. Of the 10's of millions of 98's produces my guess is that Ten's of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands have been rechambered. Every gunsmith worth their salt in the 1950's and 1960's were working on Military surplus rifles.
Good Luck
Jerry
I contacted Mr Kobe, very nice man, and said he can work on the Mauser and get it to work with just about any cartridge, as most have said already on here it just depends on how much work I am willing to afford for the project.
i keep getting stuck on wanting a fast 22 cal because I have never had one and the rifle won’t see many shots a year as I have other rifles for that.
The 270 Winchester I have can do anything a 6/6.5/7mm can do at the ranges I hunt in so having the Mauser in any of those flavors seems redundant.
i keep getting stuck on wanting a fast 22 cal because I have never had one and the rifle won’t see many shots a year as I have other rifles for that.
The 270 Winchester I have can do anything a 6/6.5/7mm can do at the ranges I hunt in so having the Mauser in any of those flavors seems redundant.
DWM actions are some of the best. The 1909 Argentine in particular. There are still a lot of smiths that will work on mausers, but you need someone that really understands them. Mauser actions are designed for a particular cartridge and may require work on the action to feed other, even similar, rounds. I have a 1909 in 9.3x62 that my son built while at gunsmithing school at Trinidad. That action is made to feed 7.65x53 and does not feed the 9.3 reliably. My son just got it together in time to be graded. One of these days i might have it worked on, or I might just keep shooting it like it is. I have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of carrying it in the field and have killed a few deer with it.
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For a fast .22 CF on a Mauser 98, that a close look at the .220 Swift as mentioned earlier. Just use a fast twist barrel.
Good Luck
Jerry
Good Luck
Jerry
As Mr Todd recommended in this thread, go with Mr Jim Kobe for Mauser/Win Model 70/etc work if ya can. Hes a guild member(and that means a lot - look up American Custom Gunmakers Guild if ya dont know what I'm talkin bout), and a quite highly respected guild member at that.
To put it in simpler words, millionaires/billionaires and the equivalent of American royalty would go to Jim Kobe and his ilk to have their once-in-a-lifetime elephant rifle built, and things of that nature.. but he still makes time for us regular folk. Maybe you've heard of Griffin & Howe, Kobe could certainly be classed right alongside em..
You wouldnt believe your eyes seeing some of the stocks he puts out! Not my intention to offend anyone at all, but I dare say Mr Kobe's(and several other of our American guild members') stocks could stand right up along side Holland & Holland, Rigby, etc... LOL ok now yall can go on and stone me to death for such "blasphemy"
I'll survive
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Yes, he does some fantastic work. The first "super-custom" I saw when I moved to Minnesota was one of his. They wanted $5200, used. And man-oh-man, was it worth every penny just for the art of what he did. I believe it was in .375 H&H and had a Circassian walnut stock. Just a fine looking rifle that I had no need or money for. The shop that was selling it, had him do my first rebarrel of a Santa Barbara Mauser to a .308. It wasn't until after a little while, he said just bring my stuff straight to him. I've always appreciated his work. And his turnaround times were amazing. One time it was two weeks, the next it was one week. He gets after it.As Mr Todd recommended in this thread, go with Mr Jim Kobe for Mauser/Win Model 70/etc work if ya can. Hes a guild member(and that means a lot - look up American Custom Gunmakers Guild if ya dont know what I'm talkin bout), and a quite highly respected guild member at that.
To put it in simpler words, millionaires/billionaires and the equivalent of American royalty would go to Jim Kobe and his ilk to have their once-in-a-lifetime elephant rifle built, and things of that nature.. but he still makes time for us regular folk. Maybe you've heard of Griffin & Howe, Kobe could certainly be classed right alongside em..
You wouldnt believe your eyes seeing some of the stocks he puts out! Not my intention to offend anyone at all, but I dare say Mr Kobe's(and several other of our American guild members') stocks could stand right up along side Holland & Holland, Rigby, etc... LOL ok now yall can go on and stone me to death for such "blasphemy"
Added: I also have to say, not only does he make time for us regular people, he doesn't (didn't back then) charge an arm and a leg. He charged standard machine shop prices for machining work, and it only got expensive when he got into the fancy woodworking for you.
Not unless the rim is too small to fit in the Mauser boltface. If you are talking about a small rifle primer .308,or 6.5 Creed, then no.
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