jvs: The 798 has the Mauser 98 extractor, the 799 has the Sako extractor.
The one thing I did not like about the old M98 Husqvarna was the tight clearance between the scope and the safety. For the guy with a scope the sliding safety is in a better position.
jvs: You are correct most modern bolt action rifles are modified mauser actions.
"The United States Government paid a royalty on every Springfield Model 1903 it built. The Winchester Model 70 is a spin-off of the 1903 Springfield. The U.S. Enfield caliber .30 M1917 is a modified Mauser action. Remington was the major manufacture of the M1917 service rifle. The Remington bolt-action rifles were a spin-off of this production. Other manufactures around the world took advantage of the Mauser development."
The Savage 110 Series is another Mauser spin-off.
Holland & Holland used large Mauser actions for their large caliber African rifles, and other English gun makes also used Mauser actions. Mauser got it right with the M98. Gunsmiths have been kept busy for a lot of years modifying the M98 into sporting rifles. The orginal rifles where not designed for scopes.
In todays market the orginal M98 action is expensive to manufacture. Going back to the orginal down fall of Winchester in the 60's highlights manufacturing cost. The spin-off Model 70 action was basically hand made, and Winchester switched over to cheaper manufacturing methods.
Ruger over came some of the cost factors by casting their actions. But Rugers action also takes from the orginal Mauser design.
If you want an orginal M98 one of the sporting goods stores is advertising a 8mm Bolt action Yugoslavian Rifle. The add says it includes bayonet, scabbard, sling & ammo pouch. *Mauser action. Regular price is $219.99, sale price $129.99. Now that I look at the price maybe $599.99 is not to much for a new rifle, scope ready, laminated sporting stock with recoil pad. To turn one of these old M98s into a true sporting rifle would cost some bucks. A few things on the short list:
Turn down bolt handle for scope use. $50
Tap reciever for scope mounts. $50
Sporting stock. $100+
Headspace check $50
Recoil pad $32.95
Recoil pad Install $30.00
Cost of work differs with each shop. Some shop will not even touch a job now if the shops base rate is not charged.
The 8mm round is good. I killed a bear with one. In the hands of the owner that rifle killed a lot of moose, bear, and a few elk. But suddenly you are ordering a new barrel in another caliber for the rifle. The cost just keeps adding up.
Back when I was a kid the area I lived in had a lot of deer, but very little money. An unmodified military rifle in the field was not uncommon.
