K98 Rebarrel

[Val]

I have a sporterized K98 that looks pretty good and still has the 8mm barrel. Would converting it to a 308 be an expensive proposition. This rifle shoots right at 1" at 100 yds and I haven't even played with the seating depth. I would I would get a gunsmith to change out the barrel but I was wondering about the bolt and magazine.

[GatCat]

A rebarrel job runs the same, regardless of caliber. Your bolt face would not need any work, and the magazine should work fine, BUT, if the 8mm barrel shoots that good, I would have a very hard time justifying the change over, the 8mm will do everything, and more, the .308 will, except for the more readilly available choices of ammo of the .308.

[Mikey]

Val:  the only problems folk have with a 8mm conversion to 308 is reliable feeding.  The 308 round is only 51mm long and the 8mm is 57mm long and the shorty 308s get hung up sometimes.  Brownells sells a removable magazine or magazine insert that resolves the feeding problem.  No bolt work or change-over is necessary.

But why on earth would you want to convert a 8mm Mauser that shoots to 1" at 100 yds with open sights to a 308?? (major serious question here).  

[Val]

The 1" at 100 yds is with a scope. I've got too many other options available for hunting so I never use this rifle. I'm thinking of a heavy barrel .308 for Prairie Dog/Varmints on windy days.

[Badnews Bob]

Check this out  http://skaggsgunsmithing.com/  They have done a couple for me and I really like the work done.

[Three44s]

I would leave a Mauser that shoots that good alone in any case.

And then look for a deal on a Savage short action and either buy exactly what you want or build it yourself.

You'll get more accuracy for less bucks.

Go to savageshooters.com and join w/ a paid membership for twelve bucks for a year and let'er rip!!!  You can register for free but a paid memb. gives you full access and there is much to access there!!!!!!!

Here is what I did recently:

About a year ago, I bought a nearly new Savage 110 (long action) for 225 .........

After joining the above web site, I bought a nearly new Savage brand take off in .25-06 that's a heavy barrel stainless fluted for 160 shipped.  The guy loaned his tools for buying his synthetic stock (bull barrel channeled) for a few more dollars and after some reading and asking questions I had a 06 sized bolt head from Midway.  I changed over the extractor and ejector over and headspaced the new to me barrel with a Go guage I also bought from Midway.

I have a lot of satisfaction from DIY ...... and still have the barrel my rifle came with ... a sporter 7mm Rem mag tube and can reinstall it anytime ....... without the services of a gun smith.  I have bought a .270 and .30-06 barrel for a few bucks also in the wings.

I have not changed the follower or box magazine yet and it only functions as a single shot but any rifle will need that conversion.  But those parts will set you back more in about any other gun than in a Savage .....

I have only had it together for about two months ..... and only tried one handload combo and it already is shooting a tight one hole clover leaf (3 shot) at 100 yds.  It makes me smile.

What sets Savages apart from other bolt guns?

The NUT ....... (it will set you free)


Three 44s