Author Topic: what to do with a 1937 mauser 98 action? (Read 806 times)

eli · « **on:** March 07, 2005, 09:41:55 AM »

Hi there:

I bought a nice, clean action by the roadside this weekend ($20 with a loose barrel) and would like some advice on the easiest way to turn it into a knockabout woods/car/pinking gun with off-the-shelve parts.

I don't know what cal. the barrel is and most likely will not use it, for several reasons, so I am still undecided as to caliber.

I see quite a selection of parts in the Midway catalogue and other than a Lyman peep sight, and 'Super Sling II' haven't a clue where to start, how much work will be required of a gunsmith to fit a barrel, etc.

I have just enough experience using a fair range of hand tools to feel like I can fit metal to stock, be it wood or other, so what can I expect from this sort of project?

What sort of order should things be done in, where does the line between quality firearm and reasonable expense lie and what kind of work, such as engine turing the bolt, should I try myself?

Keeping in mind it's just for fun and on a budget and the fact that I have a pair of good hunting rifles in 25-06 and 30-06, so it's not the end of the world if it won't shoot sub-MOA by fall, what shall I do?

Otherwise,it's a just a really neat paperweight. :grin:

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:19:20 PM »

The Adams&Bennet barrels seem to be a decent barrel. Won't win any 1000 yard matches but those I've been assciated with shoot quite well.. Stock work is where I started my checkered career in gunsmithing.. Mounting a receiver sight is usually reason to get out the jig in my shop now but I have installed more than one with just a drill press.. A bolt handle would be within your capabilites if you know of a welding shop locally.. Tools are not prohibitive for that and many can be homemade. Buy yourself an inexpensive checkering tool set(I prefer DemBart) and a couple of books('Checkering and Carving Gunstocks' by Monte Kennedy) and your on the way. Mounting a scope can be accomplisjed by hand but it becomes more difficult. Safeties low enough for a scope are not too expensive and are eaasier to install. You'l need a smith to install the barrel and may be better off just sending the action to 'Shaw' and have them install one of their barrels. Prices are fair and caliber seletion wide. Considering the calibers you have perhaps a 35 Whelan or perhaps a 220 Swift.. Your project can be done for a few hundred or you can spend a few thousand..

eli · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2005, 06:55:24 AM »

Thanks gunnut69. I like what I've read so far on the .35 Whelan. It seems to be a good fit, with it's ability to use .357 pistol bullets for fun, and move up to heavy hitter if I ever have the opportunity to go after larger game than Eastern Whitetails.

I have had it in the back of my mind to one day acquire a Remington 700 .223 in an adl grade for a light rifle, so the .220 Swift would not be a good project for me. I'm only using iron sights, despite the years, and while I may one day have need of scopes, I really don't do much long range shooting. Two thirds the fun of hunting, for me, is trying to get close enough for a clean shot, up close and personal. I don't hunt over bait or from tree stands so most of my time is spent 'messing 'bout' doing the spot and stalk or picking out game trails to wait by but I don't care so long as I'm in wood or field! Any hunt is a good hunt despite what the Frigadare says.

Do you have any first hand experience with the .35 Whelan?

What would you consider a good barrel length?

Is there any real advantage resizing 30-06 cases for this caliber?

If so, what die maker, RCBS?

Cheers,
Eli

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2005, 09:31:10 AM »

I've a bit of experience. I've built several for others and have one in the shop just now. A commercial mauser with a A&B barrel. A nice piece of walnut and it'll make a nice rifle. I've not used pistol slugs but understand the caliber reacts well with them. Bullet around the 225 grain mark are the sum total of my experience and I've not taken a single head of game with one. Just sort of lean to the large diameter and heavy for caliber bulet theory.. All I've worked with shot well and recoil was manageable, although it was there.. I wish one of those I've built could have remained in my care.. Also if you're a loader the various improved versions bear looking into. There's nearly no shoulder left and little for the round to headspace on. This problem has been noted from the cartridges inseption. The various improved Whelans give a more defined shoulder to headspace on at the expence of the time involved in fireforming. Since rifle of this nature are not usually involved in large amounts of shooting the work of fireforming brass is relatively small for the added uniformity. I use RCBS dies almost to the exclusion of other makers. I cannot help but stand in awe of their customer service policy. If it's RCBS and it doesn't work to your satisfaction, we'll fix or replace it as quickly as possible, even if the fault is yours! It's happened several times over the years and as a result my reloading bench is very green indeed!

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2005, 11:59:52 AM »

eli - I think I would probably head in the other direction if I had that 1937 made 98 action. I would probably get a good medium weight barrel, probably about 22-23" long, in one of Mausers original calibers, the 7mm or 8mm.

You were thinking about a woods, truck, plinking gun with of the shelf parts - hey, you can get new mil-spec barrels in 8mm for less than $100 bucks, and a Boyds stock for around 70. Aftermarket triggers with internal safeties and new bolt block installation to remove the flip safety are fairly easy and inexpensive to do. You could have a ball doing much of it all by yourself. If you were thinking about the 35 Whelan, you are in the neighborhood with the 8mm. Good quality ammunition is available and surplus is still plentiful.

Just havin' some thoughts, that's all. Mikey.

eli · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:40:41 AM »

Hi there:

Mikey and gunnut69, thanks for the tips. I spoke with my 16 year old today and this will likely be a project for the both of us, so anything we can do ourselves is a plus. I do reload, so ammo is not such a big issue and the ability to use pistol bullets for a knock-around load is a plus.

I don't think I will go for an' improved' configuration, just to keep things simple.

We have talked about black bear hunting so the caliber is also right.

By chance, my first C&R FFL arrived yesterday, so I will be able to buy 7mm and 8mm mausers complete latter on, though a couple of Russian rifles and Swiss k31s are the first order of business on that front.

Have you any tips on sellers you'd like to pass on?

Midway has a Adams & Bennet Mauser 98 barrel/syn stock combo ,in 35 Whelen, for $150. I think that will be a good starting point for this project.

Is it possible for an amateur to finish reaming and mounti a barrel using a set of go/no go gages, reamer, receiver tap (to (re)chase the threads to specs, and a vice, barrel wrench?

By the way, I do have a small oxygen/acetylene torch set ( I am an artist and am trained in the basic skill set.) :-)

Cheers,
Eli

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2005, 10:07:24 AM »

Actually that's what the short chambered barrels are made for, to install without the use of a lathe. You may not need the tap. Most 98's that I've fooled with were OK. A peek at the receiver threads will let you know for certain. Reamers and guages can be rented or purchased. GunPartsCorp sells guages at a very good price. I'm not a synthetic stock fan, much prefering the laminated variety if weather proofing is needed. Although I've come to the conclusion that pretty wood is very important...

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2005, 10:44:20 AM »

There is a really neat articual in shotgun news about chambering on in .45ACP, The kit comes with a 16.5 inch barrel and assorted pieces to do the job uses standard 1911 mags and dosen't require a lathe.

I bought a BRNO model today for $39.00 just to try this with, kit cost is less than two bills.

Usees a barrel nut like a savage 110 so you can set the head space by turning the barrel in or out thenn look it down with the barrel nut.

Racepres · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2005, 12:09:53 PM »

Badnews indeed !!! Where in the world did you find a brno for 39.00 .... I want one too .... Marty

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2005, 05:04:03 AM »

Found a feller selling a couple he had gottin in a trade, none left I went back last night. Mostly cause this one is a shooter, cleaned it up some and shot it and awf hand came up with a 3" group at 75yrds with out really trying.

One of our locale store has several fo $69.00 I may have to take a closer look.

Racepres · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2005, 08:31:16 AM »

yea guns n stuff (FAC) has em fer 69.00 also but ... 39.00 good deal for sure... Who makes the barrels for the 45ACP kit?? kind of interresting... Marty

Mikey · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:43:42 AM »

Badnews Bod and Racepres - Rhineland Arms makes 45 acp conversion kits for the 303 Brits and the Mausers. I have written off for information and it seems pretty interesting, until you read how to correct all the feeding problems and the like.

I would think, and I am leaning in this direction, that if I wanted a 45 acp with a longer barrel than what I get in a govm't auto, then I would get one of those 16" replacement barrel kits that come with a fore-end and a stock. You should get the same performance from both kits, but with reliability in the long barrelled auto. Just a thought. Mikey.

Racepres · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2005, 04:38:49 PM »

Thanks Mikey. You are of course correct abt the acp in a mauser.. I tried 'em in mine and they don't feed so good.. but... 45 win mags do feed rather well..next I hope they make barrels in small ring cause I think this is all thats necessary..... Just thinkin out loud .... Marty ... Back on subject, eli; I bet yer gonna like a whelen they are a popular conversion in my area.