mauser 98 redo.

[william l evans]

I have a Mauser 98 ger in 8mm. Barrel is dark and won't group. Can this barrel be rebored to 358win, 35 whelen, or 375win. Thinking of 375win first, but do not know about it feeding properly. Also thinking on JES for the rebore. Any thoughts on this would help me decide.
Bill

[Der Gebirgsjager]

The rim on the 375 Win. might make for tricky feeding. Instead of the re-boring, why not re-barrel? Then your selection of cartridges would be much greater--even the original 8x57mm if you wanted. If the rifle is already sporterized it has lost much of it's collector value, and a re-barrel job won't hurt anything. If it's still in original configuration and you wanted to keep it that way and retain the collector value, then finding and re-barreling with an original barrel is an option.

[LAGS]

If I were you, I would look into a replacement barrel in the caliber of your choosing.
A step down from the .375 would be the .35 Whelen, and unless you are going to Africa, or Alaska, it will knock the snot out of everything.
And the .35 Whelen is a more common and cheaper cartridge to shoot.
Plus easier on your Shoulder.
And for the next step down in a BIG Bore, would be a .358 Winchester.
And for reloading, you can use .30-06 or .308 cases repectivly.

[Geezer in NH]

.338/06

[pietro]

.

The .375 Win is a rimmed cartridge, a non-starter for feeding through Mauser 98 actions.

Jes does excellent rebore/rerifle work, and the easiest cartridge (rework-wise) would be a re-bore from 323" to .338", using necked-up 8x57 Mauser brass - but does entail re-loading for the wildcat cartridge.

His rebores start @ $245, depending on the number of rifling grooves desired (his least-expensive, 3-groove, is plenty accurate).



The next best IMO, would be a rebore to .358", for the .35 Whelan (a necked-up .30-06) - for which cartridges can be bought commercially and/or handloaded for using .30-06 brass.
Besides the rebore, the barrel would also need to be re-chambered.

AFAIK, any cartridge based on the .308 Win case, used in a military Mauser 98 would most likely need some work on the underside of the receiver's cartridge feed surfaces, for reliable feeding.


.

[dh2]

like Geezer I am a fan of the .338-06 it was my first 98 Mauser build and is still a very loved rifle, I can think of nothing in North America that I would not be willing to hunt with it including the big bear.
But the 35 whelen would be easy to find brass and ammo for, and in this group lots of molds available.
for either one green mountain barrels are available from Midway and they have worked out for me a few times. They are short chambered.

[Hardcast416taylor]

.338/06

I also agree with this choice, you`ll never be sorry.Robert

[william l evans]

Thanks for the replies. I have the 338/06 and a 25/06 on the mauser actions. This mauser has been chopped up by the previous owner. I was thinking of just using it as is for a foul weather hunter if I could get it to shoot better. 35 whelen with the proper twist rate for lead boolets is looking like the best choice so far as my shots would be less than 150 yds. The action is good and tight and is modified and drilled for a scope and the bolt handle has already been altered and the barrel has been cut to the front sight and recrowned I got the rifle very cheap because of the poor barrel, this guy did not test it before putting money into it and got discouraged. I am getting 12 inch groups at 100 yds with it.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

A new barrel is the way to go. For foul weather a stainless barrel would be worth the extra money in peace of mind. A .375-06 improved would give you that .375 bore. You don't need to use full power, 9.3x62(?) otherwise I would go with .35 Whelen.

[racepres]

8mm take-offs are a dime a Dozen...Any ole Large ring 8mm barrel with good lands and grooves screwed onto your action, then Chambered to 8mm-06 to clean up the Throat mostly...and...One very good rifle...with alot of "Punch"..Cheap!!!!!

[LAGS]

The 8mm-06 is a very good and cheap choice to make.
I have two more Husquvarna Sporter Take off barrels in 8x57 that are waiting to be put on actions, and possibly chambered in the 8mm-06
But I havent rechambered them yet because they may go on the shorter Yugo actions in 8x57.
Replacing the barrel, with either a Good Take off, or a New Short Chambered Barrel, and even with setting the headspace or even Rechambering it, is WAY Cheaper than having an Old Barrel Rebored.
And Quicker.
I have in the past Waited for almost a year to get a barrel rebored and sent back to me.

[pietro]

I have in the past Waited for almost a year to get a barrel rebored and sent back to me.





FWIW, Jes' (www.35caliber.com (http://www.35caliber.com)) turnaround is only a few weeks, the last time I had him do a barrel for me.


.

[LAGS]

Thank you Pietro.
If I need another Rebored, then I will check him out.
But it was like 15 years since I did a project like that.

[JHeath]

There's 9x57.

[ulav8r]

9.1x57, .358 caliber on 8x57 case. More bullet selection than 9x57.

[JHeath]

9.1x57, .358 caliber on 8x57 case. More bullet selection than 9x57.

Any issue with dies? Or is it easier to cast .358 and size them down?

[racepres]

Any issue with dies? Or is it easier to cast .358 and size them down?


Size down???
Nah...I like the Boolits larger in fact.....Now, with a 9x57...358 may be too much...Maybe.

[JHeath]

I'm asking if 0.358+ boolits will fit in a standard 9x57 chamber neck.

How do you make a 9.1x57?

Rebore to 0.358 grove size, use .358+ moulds, but use standard 9x57 chamber neck and dies?

Or rebore to 0.358 and chamber with a slightly bigger neck and use custom dies?

Or can you just rebore to 9mm, use ordinary .358-dia moulds, then size the boolits down a little?

[racepres]

^^ OH
got it..the 9.1 is in fact .358..most simply buy or otherwise obtain a barrel already .358.
Than chamber with a 35 whelen reamer except..only go X57 depth...Larry Gibson has done it and I have been looking at it ever since..If my 35 Rem didn't actually feed as well as it does, I would have already done a .358X57mm wildcat..
just the next logical step up from 8mm to me...tho many like the 348. I prefer a More "mainstream" caliber..

All in keeping with the X57 Case so that feeding is much less likely to be an Issue...

[Ballistics in Scotland]

The Mauser 98 has a big advantage over most other rifles, in that short chambered, threaded barrels of high quality are readily available (e.g. from Brownells) and easily installed. They include stainless ones of any reasonable calibre.

I would avoid a takeoff barrel unless it was from someone I trusted about its history. Barrels can be inaccurate for reasons that don't show up easily - or they can be removed when they are fine, purely to follow fashion. A .308 barrel with the chamber deepened to .30-06 (for example) would minimise the effect of throat erosion.

[Wolfer]

The last time I spoke with Jess he said he wasn't going to bore anymore military barrels. Things may have changed since then.
There are lots of barrels available at a better price than a rebore if your wanting something common.
My last rebore was with Delta since Jess wouldn't do it. Something over a year I called to see how it was going and Jims wife told me he had passed away. My barrel was the last one he bored.

Mine was a 7x57 barrel that I bored to .338 with a 14" twist. I ran a 338-06 reamer in until it just cleaned up the 7x57 shoulder. I did a pound cast and cut a set of 338-06 dies off to fit the chamber. I call it a 34 Roberts. I don't know how fast it will push 200 gr cast but I run it around 2000 fps. Recoil starts becoming noticeable much above this. Ive killed 5 deer with it and it certainly packs a wallop.

I never had to touch the feed rails and it feeds like scum off a Louisiana swamp.

[ulav8r]

To expand on my lazy post. Acquire .358 barrel or blank, fit to action. Cut chamber to 9.1x57 by some method. Best method would be custom made reamer, next best would be with 8x57 or 7x57 reamer with .358 pilot, followed with .358 neck and throat reamer. Could use 8x57 Ackley reamer if desired and still not likely to have feeding problems.

9x57 dies should be easy to modify for loading 9.1.

[racepres]

Gee wiz!!!
Been quite some time..but...it really is this Simple...
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?24903-30x57-amp-35x57

[Texas by God]

I've always thought a 7.62x57mm would be perfect in every way. The 8x57 necked down; not the 7x57 necked up. Put them side by side and you'll notice why. Best, Thomas.

[racepres]

I've always thought a 7.62x57mm would be perfect in every way. The 8x57 necked down; not the 7x57 necked up. Put them side by side and you'll notice why. Best, Thomas.


The 30X57 in the above [linked] thread

[ulav8r]

The 30X57 in the above [linked] thread

This was my first exposure to that thread. While not exactly the 9.1x57 that I envisioned, Larry's 35x57 would be functionally equivalent and easier to do. I would be tempted to keep the shoulder length the same as the original x57 but extend the case length to 58 or 59 mm and make brass from '06 or Whelen brass. I won't do the math now to know case trim length, but in a couple of years I may get around to it.

[DCM]

375 Whelen, 35 Whelen or 338-06
All based on readily available 06 cases that will feed fine in a 98 Mauser with very little to no fuss with the magazine or bolt.
IMO I would barrel swap rather than re-bore. Just my 02, YMMV ...

[aephilli822]

8mm take-offs are a dime a Dozen...Any ole Large ring 8mm barrel with good lands and grooves screwed onto your action, then Chambered to 8mm-06 to clean up the Throat mostly...and...One very good rifle...with alot of "Punch"..Cheap!!!!!

sorry for hijack, but where are barrels best available?

[Texas by God]

sorry for hijack, but where are barrels best available?
Sarco or Springfield Sporters for a used military barrel. My vote would be Brownells or Midway's short chambered LR 98 barrels.
Best, Thomas.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

It is a great pity that Brownells, and so far as I know other suppliers, no longer stock long chambered barrels, for which the Mauser 98 almost uniquely suitable. The 98 barrel tightens up not on the front of the action (though good gunsmiths usually try for contact there too), but on the internal stop-ring. With a short chambered barrel you just fit it and deepen the chamber with a chamber reamer. But with the long chambered one, you just remove metal from the rear surface of the barrel until the headspace becomes correct. With care you could do it with a file.

Maybe they were discontinued because intellectually gifted persons fitted them just as they came, and got grossly excessive headspace. Not that that should be very dangerous as bad chambering jobs go, as long as the extractor held the head against the bolt face. But maybe they forgot to recess the rear of the barrel for it, and broke off the hook. Or saw on Youtube that you can check headspace most accurately if you remove the extractor... Never underestimate the creativity of the human spirit.

[Scrumbag]

SHout out for rebarrelling to 9.3x62?

[PTCSmith]

It is a great pity that Brownells, and so far as I know other suppliers, no longer stock long chambered barrels, for which the Mauser 98 almost uniquely suitable. The 98 barrel tightens up not on the front of the action (though good gunsmiths usually try for contact there too), but on the internal stop-ring. With a short chambered barrel you just fit it and deepen the chamber with a chamber reamer. But with the long chambered one, you just remove metal from the rear surface of the barrel until the headspace becomes correct. With care you could do it with a file.

For what it's worth, Lothar Walther sells long-chambered barrels direct to consumers from their place of business in Atlanta. They are generally excellent quality barrels.

[Texas by God]

For what it's worth, Lothar Walther sells long-chambered barrels direct to consumers from their place of business in Atlanta. They are generally excellent quality barrels.
Good point. And if I'm not mistaken you can get the military step contour- correct?

[Cold Trigger Finger]

My 98 military action has a McGowan 375 Whelan Ackley Improved chambered barrel.
I'm pushing 250 gr TTSX BT bullets with 56 gr of 4895. Gives me a velocity of 2550 fps from the 19" barrel. Really sweet, light little moose rifle. However, the 9.3×62 Mauser , 35 Whelan or 338/06 . Will all do pretty much the same thing. I wanted a 400 Whelan but this 375 was too sweet to pass up.
I would still like a 400 Whelan tho.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.
Glen.

[aephilli822]

SHout out for rebarrelling to 9.3x62?

From Lothar Walther for 249.00, yummy.

http://www.lothar-walther.com/270.php

[Texas by God]

Now I'm caught up! Is that your plan aephilli822?
Best,Thomas.

[aephilli822]

Now I'm caught up! Is that your plan aephilli822?
Best,Thomas.

Sorry it took so long to reply, I was looking up how to fit a long chambered barrel. :p

[aephilli822]

I had been looking at the custom page prices, didn't realize what I wanted was just 249$

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Their barrels are very nice from what I understand.

[Texas by God]

Sorry it took so long to reply, I was looking up how to fit a long chambered barrel. :p
As Ballistics in Scotland said; it can even be Done with a QUALITY mill bastard file. Be sure to chamfer the sharp edges of the chamber hole. And my brother used a Lothar Walther barrel to rebarrel a Browning HiWall to .375 H&H. Great barrel with jackets & cast.
Best, Thomas.

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Now all I need is to find a military 98 action for cheap. Make up a 9.3×62 Mauser. Not too crazy about the 14.2" twist but, that's still workable. With my 20" CZ 550 I was getting 2600 fps max with the 250 gr X bullet.

[mpkunz]

What is the price to have a shot-out tube bored, rerifled, and rechambered ? Since you're not married to 8mm, why not have it replaced with a new barrel in .30-'06. I would imagine the old barrel is coming off anyhow. You can get a new Shilen barrel for <$200 from Midwayusa, the rest is labor you are paying for anyhow. The '06 cartridges feed properly without modification to the bottom metal. While its apart your gunsmith can true the receiver and bolt lugs, which takes only about 2 hours of his time, and return it to you a condition that will exceed the accuracy ever imagined by its original makers. Plus you'll have a rifle chambered in a caliber which can take any game in North America, and in a caliber you can find in any K-Mart anywhere in the country.

[nekshot]

What is the price to have a shot-out tube bored, rerifled, and rechambered ? Since you're not married to 8mm, why not have it replaced with a new barrel in .30-'06. I would imagine the old barrel is coming off anyhow. You can get a new Shilen barrel for <$200 from Midwayusa, the rest is labor you are paying for anyhow. The '06 cartridges feed properly without modification to the bottom metal. While its apart your gunsmith can true the receiver and bolt lugs, which takes only about 2 hours of his time, and return it to you a condition that will exceed the accuracy ever imagined by its original makers. Plus you'll have a rifle chambered in a caliber which can take any game in North America, and in a caliber you can find in any K-Mart anywhere in the country.

Careful, your thinking common sense and the thought process with thinking out loud can get murky when asking what caliber to rebarrel to!

[Cold Trigger Finger]

If he wants something smaller than the 8 mm . He should go with the 270. It also works good and handily kills all N.A. game . And can be found at any big box store.

[Cold Trigger Finger]

But really the 35 Whelan is better than either of them for big game hunting.

[JimP.]

9,3 x 57

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Can't argue with the 9.3×57.

[aephilli822]

:kidding:
Can't argue with the 9.3×57.

yes, I can. watch me.

"Oh yeah? Well, this here is 'MERICA, and the 9.3 x 62 is FIVE BIGGER"

[aephilli822]

It is a great pity that Brownells, and so far as I know other suppliers, no longer stock long chambered barrels, for which the Mauser 98 almost uniquely suitable. The 98 barrel tightens up not on the front of the action (though good gunsmiths usually try for contact there too), but on the internal stop-ring. With a short chambered barrel you just fit it and deepen the chamber with a chamber reamer. But with the long chambered one, you just remove metal from the rear surface of the barrel until the headspace becomes correct. With care you could do it with a file.

Maybe they were discontinued because intellectually gifted persons fitted them just as they came, and got grossly excessive headspace. Not that that should be very dangerous as bad chambering jobs go, as long as the extractor held the head against the bolt face. But maybe they forgot to recess the rear of the barrel for it, and broke off the hook. Or saw on Youtube that you can check headspace most accurately if you remove the extractor... Never underestimate the creativity of the human spirit.

So, I'll put it in the lathe, and hold the file to the shoulder 'til it fits.....:kidding:

[Cold Trigger Finger]

:kidding:

yes, I can. watch me.

"Oh yeah? Well, this here is 'MERICA, and the 9.3 x 62 is FIVE BIGGER"

:D . Ya, bigger and faster. As long as it fits. The 62 is pretty great. I very much regret selling mine. I think I may need to get another one.

[Texas by God]

So, I'll put it in the lathe, and hold the file to the shoulder 'til it fits.....:kidding:
Re-read post #30 and post #40 about the back end of the long chambered barrel- we aren't yanking your chain my friend. It's really quite simple. Best, Thomas.

[texasnative46]

LAGS,

The usual "turn-around" at JES is TWO WEEKS, his work is reasonable in price & his craftsmanship is FAULTLESS.
(My treasured Model 760 was rebored from .30-06 to 9.3x62 & it's GREAT.)

yours, tex

[Cold Trigger Finger]

How many grooves is your 9.3 ?

[texasnative46]

Cold Trigger Finger,

FOUR, if I remember correctly.
(I'm NOT where the rifle presently is.)

yours, tex

[aephilli822]

Re-read post #30 and post #40 about the back end of the long chambered barrel- we aren't yanking your chain my friend. It's really quite simple. Best, Thomas.

Thanks, I get it. I was just making a lame joke about my skill level and misuse of tools. (I gotta big 'ole lathe [12 1/2 x 36 Cincinnati] and very little experience)
the good news is, I have a couple Turk Mausers to practice on before I ruin my VZ 24

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Cold Trigger Finger,

FOUR, if I remember correctly.
(I'm NOT where the rifle presently is.)

yours, tex

Ok. Some guys had problems with their 3 groove 358 rebores.

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Thanks, I get it. I was just making a lame joke about my skill level and misuse of tools. (I gotta big 'ole lathe [12 1/2 x 36 Cincinnati] and very little experience)
the good news is, I have a couple Turk Mausers to practice on before I ruin my VZ 24

Adams and Bennet barrels.
Super affordable and good to practice with.
I can pick up a 10×32" ( I think) Jet lathe. But, I'm not sure I'm smart enough to thread a barrel . Still have too much other stuff to think over. ;-(.

[Texas by God]

Ok. Some guys had problems with their 3 groove 358 rebores.
I will report here if I ever do. So far nothing but bliss. Best, Thomas.

[ulav8r]

Adams and Bennet barrels.
Super affordable and good to practice with.
I can pick up a 10×32" ( I think) Jet lathe. But, I'm not sure I'm smart enough to thread a barrel . Still have too much other stuff to think over. ;-(.

Then you are a lot more man than me. I would have to use a hoist or fork lift to pick up one.

[aephilli822]

Then you are a lot more man than me. I would have to use a hoist or fork lift to pick up one.

[smilie=l: beat me to it....

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I can purchase ;-)