Project rifle?

[Honay]

I was wondering if it would be possible and fairly easy to make a project rifle from a model 98 mauser. I am having some thoughts about fianally building a rifle. Not yet sure about caliber, 7mm-08, 338-06, 25-06, or stick with an 8mm chambering and just get a new barrel. Rifle would be used for target shooting, deer and bear hunting and mabey some small game or larger game depending on chambering. I was just wondering if any of you have tried any projects like this.

Thanks

[Racepres]

Yuppp... been there done that ... still working on one of 'em. BUT... I was just looking at gunbroker and if I had it to do over I would buy one I liked ... all done and then rebarrel to what I want and sell the bbl from it to recoup the cost... doing the same w/ any other changes I would prefer... Kind of like say ... a car ,, to modify one is not too bad a deal if you start w/ something close to what ya want anyway.... to "build" one from "parts" will cost lots!!! If you want to do it for the satisfaction    and are easily satisfied , well that is different and most certainly can be accomplished. Let us in on more "ideas" or drop me a line.... Marty

[1911crazy]

I was there with my 98k and i chose to keep it with the 8mm barrel which was only $37 in excellent condition from Numrich Gun Parts.  I believe the barrels are now only $42.  But they sent me an excellent condition barrel and it assembled right in and the headspace was dead nuts on the "go" gauge.  I was looking at the other calibers but the replacement barrels are headspaced shallow and needed final reaming to fit the reciever.  Since most gunsmiths aren't too keen on touching military surplus guns and i wasn't in the mood to purchase a chamber reamer too I decieded to stay with the 8mm round.  And for the cheapest cost it worked out, I wanted too see how cheap it could be done too.  It came in well under $200.                                                                     BigBill

[earschplitinloudenboomer]

Got lucky, picked up 98 that a gentleman had brought back for $75.00. It has a beautiful reciever with only one stamping (MOD 98) in large letters on the right side of the reciever. It is a 1940 (stamped on the front reciever ring). I cleand the barrel...it looks new. It is the best barrel I have ever seen on a milsurp, 98, 8mm any where near this vintage. I had the bolt handle forged, I installed a Buehler safety, drilled and tapped the reciever, installed a Timney trigger, draw filed the steps from the military barrel and whittled a stock from a chunk of local walnut. At first the gun flat did not shoot. I could not keep shots on a redfield target at 100yds. With research I found that factory ammo available is loaded down to very low pressures because of old 88 Commission rifles still around. I bought a set of dies, and associated components and started upping the loading.
  I now have a very nice Mauser which shoots moa at 100 yards...but it took me four years (off and on) to get there.  This is now my primary whitetail rig...I cannot tell you how much I enjoy it.