Mauser Sporter...

[zartoon]

Greetings,

For reasons I cannot explain, I've got a bug that has me going down the following path.

I'd like to build a hunting rifle, in 30-06 using a Mauser 98 action. Since I've never done anything close to this, I'd like some wisdom from folks who have.

1. I like the Mauser actions that have the Mauser banner on them. As I understand, these are commercial actions. Where does one get one from?

2. Who makes hunting rifle barrels that I can mate to the action?

3. I'd like to change the flag bolt safety to something more manageable, any recommendations? I've seen some flag safeties.

4. Double Set Triggers...Yup. Any brand recommendations?

5. Stock: I'd like a hardwood stock..and I'm going to try my hand at checkering it...(yes, I'll practice on crappy woods and old broken stocks..before ruining a perfectly good stock).

any other guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Z

[TRAP55]

www.mausercentral.com/forum

[Sailormilan2]

You should look for a standard length Model 98 action. 98s come in 2 lengths, standard and intermediate(Yugo 24/47 and 48s). The intermediates can be made to work, but the standard length are much easier to work with.
This also includes the Model 1903 and 1938 Turks. Though these will have a barrel shank thread that is smaller in diameter.
My recommendation is to find a standard length non Turk action. Get an Adams and Bennett short chambered, prethreaded barrel from Midway(cost about $93). A lathe helps, though is not needed. But it does make things much easier.
You will need to drill and tap the receiver for scope mounting. You can also grind/file off the charger clip hump. This is not necessary, but makes the receiver look better. The the scope mount will hide most of the hump.
You will need to forge (heat and bend) the bolt handle, or have the handle cut off and a new lower one welded on. Forging is cheaper.
You can often find commercially made bolts already set up for scopes on eBay and Gunbroker, and the cost is often cheaper than having one cut and welded.
It is not necessary, but a trigger guard with a hinged floor plate is nice. Those can be found on eBay and Gunbroker.
You can get a commercial streamlined bolt shroud for the bolt, which looks nice, but then you have to get an adjustable trigger with side safety. Midway's Bold works well, and you can get some of the commercially made ones by Interarms from Sarco.
You can get decent looking stocks from Richards MicroFit in Los Angeles or from Boyds.
Here is a picture of a forged bolt handle with a streamlined bolt shroud.


Rifle showing military bolt shroud and side safety.


Rifle showing forged bolt streamlined bolt shroud.

[zartoon]

Sailormilan2: Great information. Thank you.

I think this is a good start...
I'll also check out mousercentral and see if I can find info there.
Also, I'm thinking if I use a short action like the 48, maybe the 308 would be the cartridge of choice here...

[zartoon]

Sailormilan2: Great information. Thank you.

I think this is a good start...
I'll also check out mousercentral and see if I can find info there.
Also, I'm thinking if I use a short action like the 48, maybe the 308 would be the cartridge of choice here...

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Do us all a favor though. Start with a gun somebody has already chopped up. They are normally cheaper, and you won't be wrecking a historical gun. And just so you know, making a sporter is usually a very good way to spend a lot of money making a second-rate hunting rifle.

All that being said, if you are rescuing something from the scrap heap, and you know going in that it is going to cost you more than buying a new gun, go for it. Midway is your friend. Between them and Brownell's you should be able to find everything you need. The 98 action is more than strong enough for .308 or .30-06. There are plenty of after-market goodies that you can stick on it. And those Adams and Bennet barrels are one of the best values out there. I have used them on a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved and a .35 Whelen. I have no complaints about either. Good luck, have fun, and don't wreck an intact rifle.

-Mb

[zartoon]

Ya. I hear ya there. My intent is to find a Mauser banner action if I can find it. Frankly, I don't much care for any of the modern guns. This is probably going to take me years to build a I think I'll have to get a lot of the parts from gun shows.
On the flip side, if I can find a sporter that has some of what I'm looking for, I can change te barrel and stock and start from there.

[emcon5]

I think I'll have to get a lot of the parts from gun shows.

I don't see why, Sailor listed pretty much everything you would need, nothing is all that hard to find, except a pre-butchered Mauser Banner action.

If it was me, I would start with something with more character, a basket case military rifle, like this:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=291562716

[Pete1979]

Early Czeck VZ.24 actions are some of the best ones made, you could pick one up fairly cheap. Yugo 24/47 donors are also cost effective. I have a scrubbed VZ.24 with a fairly worn barrel that will eventually become a heavy barreled .308 or maybe a .243.
+1 on the A&B barrel, I don't think a super pricey match grade barrel offers enough gain on a casual shooter to justify the cost and modern factory tubes are capable of sub MOA performance these days.

[emcon5]

This one looks promising: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=291541892

Cheap too.

[Mike A]

Finding an Original Mauser action with the commercial banner is going to be a trial unless you have a pile of $$$ to spend. Occasionally--very seldom--you can find a military action that was shipped with the banner intact, usually a Mauser "Standard Modell" shipped to China or another foreign customer in the early 1930s. The Chinese ones are usually pretty trashed (and don't buy a fake; there are some) and can be a decent basis for sporters. But few survived their service and fewer came back here.

I'd look for an FN action, either military or commercial, if you have to have a "brand name." Just as good, much easier to find, although "even" an FN will be pricey; gunsmiths love 'em.

As mentioned above, a Czech mauser is the easiest to find and they are of excellent quality. And I repeat what my fellows say: pick on one that's already been cut up!

Good luck; have fun! Lots of resources on the web for this project!

[Noonanda]

It can be done, is it worth the money you will invest? Well thats up to you, i have saved a few junkers and made them nice reliable "sporters"