I am not an expert on Mauser rifles though I do own some variations of them, so perhaps I should have explained my meaning better.
The Mauser 98 came in lots of variations. There were large ring and small ring (This would be the receiver ring between the barrel and the magazine opening. I forget the exact diameters. There is also different action lengths even for the same caliber: notably for the 7.92 mm x 57 or "8 mm Mauser". The Germans and I believe the Colombians as well used a long action that could easily be rechambered to accept a 7.62 mm x 63 or .30-06 as we call it on this side of the pond. As you pointed out, Yugoslavia and others (I believe Belgians as well) made a rifle with an action that was only about 1/4 inch shorter which was still capable of using the 7.92 x 57 but was not capable of accepting a .30-06 round. Without a ruler, it is very difficult to tell the difference. This is also the reason I never bought a Yugoslav Mauser even when they were very cheap. As one other gentleman pointed out, some actions were even shorter and needed the receiver rings slotted to accept even the 7.92 x 57.
Yes, I know there are magnum length actions, but this was not what I was trying to describe.
- Ivan.
The Mauser 98 came in lots of variations. There were large ring and small ring (This would be the receiver ring between the barrel and the magazine opening. I forget the exact diameters. There is also different action lengths even for the same caliber: notably for the 7.92 mm x 57 or "8 mm Mauser". The Germans and I believe the Colombians as well used a long action that could easily be rechambered to accept a 7.62 mm x 63 or .30-06 as we call it on this side of the pond. As you pointed out, Yugoslavia and others (I believe Belgians as well) made a rifle with an action that was only about 1/4 inch shorter which was still capable of using the 7.92 x 57 but was not capable of accepting a .30-06 round. Without a ruler, it is very difficult to tell the difference. This is also the reason I never bought a Yugoslav Mauser even when they were very cheap. As one other gentleman pointed out, some actions were even shorter and needed the receiver rings slotted to accept even the 7.92 x 57.
Yes, I know there are magnum length actions, but this was not what I was trying to describe.
- Ivan.