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off topic mauser 98

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.
 
Yugoslav Mausers have a slightly shorter action than standard Mausers. However, they both fire the 7.92x57mm round. The casing length of the .30-06 is 61mm. Perhaps the difference is too small to matter.

I've got a relative that had a sporterized Turkish Mauser in 8x57 rechambered to the wildcat 8mm-06 (30-06 necked up to 8mm) round. The extra case length apparently wasn't a problem, but then in a lot of things each rifle is a law unto itself.
 
Back in the day, back when I owned firearms, there was a small gun shop out in the middle of nowhere that carried a lot of ex-military bolt action rifles and some ex-military semi-auto stuff. I picked up two ex-military rifles from that store.

First was a Mosin Nagant 1891 Russian Infantry Rifle. Mine was built in 1901. Got it for $65. It was filthy dirty, packed with cosmoline from one end to the other. Took it home, took it apart, found 5 dead bugs in the cavity between the bottom of the barrell and the wooden fore stock. Gave it a good cleaning, a good oiling, lightly scuffed the stock, heated it with a blow dryer and worked some linseed oil into the wood. That rifle was a blast to shoot....though an expensive one to shoot. The only ammo I could find were some Czech surplus stuff that had the mercury oxide primer, at 8 for 20 rounds, and some US made stuff for 9 for 10 rounds. I did not want to have to scrub the gun down every time I shot it...so I opted for the more expensive ammo and shot it less.

The second rifle I picked up was a 1916 Spanish Mauser that had been rechambered/rebored for .308. Got it for $50, maybe $55. It had been imported by a firm in Florida...Sun Valley Arms or something like that. Really good job on the reboring. That rifle was a tack driver. I bought Olin (a subsidiary of Winchester) 174 grain FMJ for 7 buck for 20 rounds. I could shoot that rifle all day long! Loved it.

Oh, also picked up a non-military M1 Carbine clone perhaps...looked just like the M1 Carbine but did not have the bayonet lug. Great little shooter. Set me back $60. Again, I bought the Olin ammo....$6 for 50 rounds. Great little rifle. My 9 year old nephew loved shooting it..well right up until a hot casing went down the front of his shirt. That kid SCREAMED! The gun developed a chip in the bolt rail and needed repaired. I gave the rifle to my best friend to take out to the gun shop where I picked it up...he moved to West Virgina and took my rifle with him. Never saw him or my rifle again

OBIO
 
Hi OBIO,

The Mosin Nagant in 7.62 x 54R should not be all that expensive to shoot. Even 20 years ago, there was PPU Prvi Partizan Ulzice or something like that. It was Yugoslave boxer primed stuff imported by Hansen's gun shop up in CT. I shot a fair amount of the stuff before it all dried up with the Yugoslav Civil War.

These days, you can find either the Russian stuff or Sellier & Bellot. I would reload for the caliber except that you really can't find correct diameter bullets (.310 inch). You can find .308 and .311 and very light .310 intended for AK style guns. One of these days, I will try either very heavy .308 bullets or the .310 125 grain stuff and see if it works. Long range accuracy won't be possible though.

I betcha the 1916 Spanish Mauser was really chambered for the 7.62 CETME round. It is dimensionally the same as the .308 Winchester but runs at lower pressures. If I were you, I would not shoot full power .308 Winchester or 7.62 NATO in that gun.

Lots of military M1 Carbines didn't have a bayonet lug. That isn't a good way to determine origin. Manufacturer and serial number are a better way.

Cool Toys!!!
- Ivan.
 
The old 98 is the father of all modern High Pressure actions..

I have had MANY in my life, working as a Gunsmith for 25 years you see MANY of these..
My first 98k was a Czech Vz 24..

My Custom Czech Vz 21 is the best 98k Mauser I have ever owned..
I have two beautiful custom Mausers now..

Had them all from the G-88 to the 98k..
models 95, 96' and 96' improved, G88 and several different 98's
Including a old 98 with the .318 barrel; not the bored out later, .323 barrel..

I prefer a custom 98 to a military rifle..
Not into the military stuff..
With a good barrel and trigger these can be made into very accurate rifles..

I always warn folks about the Spanish and Turkish and Chinese Mausers, Not made to the highest standards. many have a Head Spacing problems..
Best to check them with a head space gauge before shooting..

My first mauser was 55 dollars..
Have seen them as cheap as 29.95 each in days gone by..

Now some poor souls pay several hundred for these..
But I shall say I never had a Mauser I didn't like..

Really liked the stainless steel actions from South America..
They just looked so cool with the "white" actions and the Blued barrels....
Used several of these to build up some beautiful Rifles, once you change to a faster set of springs, and decrease the lock time, they are very good sporting guns..

I hope you enjoy your Mauser as much as I have..:applause:
 
Are you sure those were stainless steel actions? I am guessing they were just steel in the white. I believe these guns can be quite accurate, but the modern stuff is much stronger and handles gas better. My only Mauser 98 is a Belgian clone of a K98 except it is a short action and chambered in 7.62 for the Israelis. The trigger group on it originally was a WW2 stamped steel German military setup. I replaced it with a solid steel assembly but the problem is that the magazine well is too long for .308 and the follower flops around a bit. On the original, there is a little steel block welded to the front of the magazine well. Other than the markings and caliber, it looks just like a Karabiner 98.

- Ivan.
 
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