7mm Rem Mag and 98 Mauser bolt

[Mux]

I am putting together a custom 98 Mauser and was wondering if any bolt modifications would be necessary if I am fitting a 7mm Rem Mag barrel to the rifle.  The bolt has a turned down bolt handle but I believe I read where some magnum calibers need to have the bolt head modified.  Any information would be appreciated.  As you can probably tell, this is my first attempt at working with a custom mauser.  I actually received the action from my grandfather after he passed a couple of years ago.  Thanks

Mux

[gunnut69]

Converting any standard caliber rifle to a magnum requires the bolt face be opened up for the larger diameter casehead. Also the extractor will have to be refitted and the feed rails altered to feed the larger diameter and longer rounds. The bolt handle would need to be altered to clear a telescope mount but not for the caliber conversion. The barrel would need to be threaded and chambered to the caliber of choice and contoured.. Usually the safety has to be changed to allow operation with a scope mounted and the action would of course have to be correctly drilled and tapped for appropriate scope mount bases. There is still the finish work(polishiing, bluing, beadblasting, etc.) of course and the stock work.. As for the turned down bolt if it protrudes from the side of the bolt and then bends down it is likely a military bent bolt action. A bolt modified for a scope mount usually protrudes less than an inch from the bolt body before turning rather sharply down.

[Mux]

Thanks for the info.  I already have a new barrel to put on the receiver so I will need to headspace that.  I already have the stock and the bolt has been modified for a scope, it is much more bent than the standard M48 style bolt.  It will have to be drilled and tapped as well.  Do you know where there is a good website which shows how to open a bolt face and adjust the feedrails?

[Judson]

    Gunnut is right up to a point.    Some Mauser actions will feed magnum cartridges with little alterations of the feed rails others need lots of work.    I did not realise this untill quite recently when checking the feeding of a .458 short Mag.    The Prudeze44 actions, forgive my spelling, needed minimum alteration however the 1909 actions and FN actions needed much more.   So to be on the safe side load up a few dummy rounds load them up and check the feeding and above all go slow with the grinder.