Custom 98 in 6.5X55 by Koeing

[NVScouter]

Well I happened on this:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/NVScouter/31B20A63-FED7-4CF9-AEAD-352883B13EFA.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/NVScouter/media/31B20A63-FED7-4CF9-AEAD-352883B13EFA.jpg.html)

Its a Mauser 98 with a medium barrel in 6.5X55, I believe the twist is around 1:9.25 from my tests. I need to replace my cleaning rod as it doesnt spin loosely at the T-handle so it could be faster if slipping. The stock had a nasty crack with the grain from the rear action screw. I epoxied that and oiled it up with Lemmon oil. The trigger is butter smooth and fully adjustable aftermarket job. I should post a picture of it for you guys to ID.

The gun maker is Koenig. I'm told he was a master smith at Winchester during the 50-70s. After that he was building custom rifles/gunsmithing in ND and retired in my neck of the woods. I'd love any information verifying that or his previous work/reputation.

I'd like to set it up to shoot 120g A-max or Berger 120-140s with a 250y zero and shoot to 600-800y. Cast is always an option and I'm getting through some of the 6.5 posts.

What do you think?

[blixen]

Beautiful rifle! I love my 6.5 Swede military that shoots minute-of-angle with J-bullets. (So far, I'm intimidated by what I've read here and haven't attempted shooting cast boolits in it.)

[DeanWinchester]

Love it! That's gorgeous.

The 6,5 Swede is awesome. It could very well be the most accurate cartridge ever chambered in a military rifle. (Potential wise)
Something about a loooooong slender 6.5 bullet, just looks cool.

[Driver man]

Beautiful rifle. Shoot it and tell.

[NVScouter]

Beautiful rifle. Shoot it and tell.

A gentleman never shoots and tells..................

[Jeff H]

Tough to beat the combination - 6.5x55 and the '98.

I spent many years trying to decide if my 'Roberts or my 7x57 was my favorite rifle until it dawned on me one day that it was actually my 6.6x55! All 98s, of course.

I recently decided that I really need to get my front sight mounted, take the scope off and start shooting cast in it.

[Old Coot]

A gentleman never shoots and tells..................
That is true depending on which GUN you are shooting.

[NVScouter]

Shoot results are in for the first go around. The night before I had used some bore solvent/brush and about 4 patches for a clean barrel! Very happy but I decided to let some bire solvent sit over night in there...glad I did! The next morning all kinds of fouling came out, then used Sweets 7.63 and found plenty of copper fouling.

My dies are on order a 3 die compitition set from LEE so I had a box of low end Winchester 140g SPX2. 16 rounds later I'm falling in love with this moderate weight rifle, good balistics, and very mild recoil. It was about 20F outside and the barrel got slightly warm to the touch is all. Wow I was told they were pleasant but until you shoot one...WOW!

Groups were about .9" and every time with two touching and one off about .75" to the right. Ideas?

I just got about 8 boxes of ammo mostly Norma from a local fellow how doesnt have a 6.5 any more so I'll test it more soon.
Also I aquired some old military stuff with a giant silver slug that's crazy long. Also about 300 165g bullets that will about mimick that length..looks too long not sure if they will fit this chamber. I'm really wanting to get the 120s and longer 140s to work.

[MT Gianni]

What a beautiful rifle and in a great chambering. I am glad it is shooting for you.

[NVScouter]

It's been in my truck for the last few days waiting on a range break. I may buy another whitetail tag and haven't decided on cast in the 308 or this......decisions

[John Allen]

I would love to have this. I can not get enough of a good mauser action gun.

[roverboy]

That is one sweet shooting rifle. I love '98 action rifles too.

[RPRNY]

What a great combination! Gorgeous looking rifle and you will be able to load very hot 140s in that action. If you are correct about barrel twist, the mil surp 160 gr and the 165 gr bullets will be too long to stabilize however. Never mind, there are a number of excellent 140s that will serve superbly for target and game.

[NVScouter]

Got all my dies and stuff together. Shooting 1" at 200y with 120 Amax and decent with 140s. The new 4-16 fine dot scope with turrets helps.

I say decent because the Winchester factory 140s dropped my last five shots like this:

3 into .50" at 200 with a shooter error #4 .50 to the right. #5 dropped 4.5 inches low with noticeably less recoil.

[NVScouter]

Th other 140s I have are 25+ year old Nosler Patron factory. They shot in 2.5" at 200 4" low. Any info on these I can't find much I. English about this bullet.

[Dan Cash]

Your rifle is a right sparkey number. I wonder if I could convert a .30-40 Krag, Winchester 1895 to 6.5x55? That would be an interesting light rifle.

[MT Gianni]

Your rifle is a right sparkey number. I wonder if I could convert a .30-40 Krag, Winchester 1895 to 6.5x55? That would be an interesting light rifle.

A lefty near me has a 6.5 x 30x40 Krag. It is a flat shooting machine.

[NVScouter]

I loaded 140g hot cores over 45g IMR4350 today so let's hope those do as well

[NVScouter]

I've really been enjoying this rifle and with the weight its a pop gun even with hot loads. The twist is closer to 1:8.5" and shoots the 120-165s just fine but really likes 120/140s. Under an inch at 200y if I do my part. I dont use the Winchester brass anymore since the case head is slighly undersized and the extractor itsnt 100% reliable with it, the Norma stuff is perfect. I reblued the bolt and barrel and found a small crack under the tang in the stock. The only other modification is the Korean war vintage leather military sling.

My current issue is that new Ruger American Preditor in 6.5 CM is screaming my name and I dont think I need two 6.5s. I'm trying to come up with a price. I paid $500 for basic rifle but I've tweaked it some and it'll come with dies, sling, brass, and some ammo. I'd apreciate what you'd pay for it

[davidheart]

I really appreciate the inspiration! I'm currently building a 6.5 Swede on a 98 action and can't wait to start shooting!

[Uncle Grinch]

As far as the crack goes.... check your rear action screw to see if it still has the ferrule in place. It may be in the stock. Quite a few sporterized Mausers leave these out and it cause issues from split stocks and cracks to bolt binding due the over tightening of the rear screw. Besides acting as bedding support, the ferrule keeps the rear of the action properly spaced when tightening the rear screw.

[NVScouter]

As far as the crack goes.... check your rear action screw to see if it still has the ferrule in place. It may be in the stock. Quite a few sporterized Mausers leave these out and it cause issues from split stocks and cracks to bolt binding due the over tightening of the rear screw. Besides acting as bedding support, the ferrule keeps the rear of the action properly spaced when tightening the rear screw.


Yup common mauser mistake, people love to crank that rear screw. The rifle is bedded nicely so I'm sure somebody who didnt know better cranked it like that. But its been fixed and shows no signs of being otherwise for all my shooting.

What do you all think a fair price is? I'm thinking $600 with all the stuff, and antelope is coming up in August.

[NVScouter]

Well I put it up on the local gun site for $575 with new bluing, polished chamber, dies, 80 rounds factory ammo, and 150 pieces of Norma brass. I hope it sells, I got to handle the new Ruger American Predator in 22-250 yesterday....very impressed! Want that 6.5CM even more now.