RC K98 should I or not

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Hi
This is my first post and about two weeks after I got my PAL I bought a K98.
It is a RC and I knew it when I bought it but to be honest I had no idea what it really meant. I just bought it because its a K98 (I think I paid about 300 cash so no tax) SO after trolling around here a wile and reading up a little on K98's I started to think if I should convert it to a sniper version. But. I am not sure if it is worth it or not. I was also thinking about getting a non RC stock and replace my RC stock. If it is worth it to put a scope on it I would like to have it period correct
Here are some photos of my K98

47b8df34b3127cceb3b04d3893e500000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg
47b8df34b3127cceb3b04d63128e00000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg
47b8df34b3127cceb3b04d0a93d700000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg
47b8df34b3127cceb3b04dc3122e00000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg
47b8df34b3127cceb3b0432c12c600000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg
47b8df34b3127cceb3b043d8123200000026100AbtmTVu5YuWJg


Thanks for the help guys I appreciate it
 
If it's an RC then it's a shooter really, and not a collector piece; so do what you want with it. I'm not sure why you would change to a non RC stock on it however, unless you wanted to go with an aftermarket sporter stock or something. It's still going to be an RC rifle, new stock or not. Personally I kind of like a nice captured K98 because you've got a great rifle which you can use as is, or bubba all to hell and not feel bad about wrecking a collector item. Kind of liberating. And for $300, you did not overpay.
 
Rc

I'd leave this one as-is if it were mine. BNZ 41 is a very nice example to start with and yours looks much nicer than some RC's I've seen. Why not hold out for one thats already been drilled/tapped and piece that one together into a sniper. If nothing else, I'm sure someone on this board might have a trade offer for you.

Geoff
 
I'm doing a similar project (and recently found help in this very forum!). I wouldn't bother with changing the stock. I stripped the Russian finish and restored mine and it looks great. Take the gun apart, use "circa 1850 stripper" to remove the old finish on the stock (it'll look like crap at this point but that's okay, it should 'cause it's dry). Then to remove most of the russian stamped number on the stock you can put a wet rag on the number and then place an iron ontop of the rag to force the steam into the wood (ONLY do this in the direct area of the number, it's not really that good for the stock otherwise). You'll be surprised with a little patience how much the numbers come up. After you're done that use a little dish detergent on a slightly damp rag to clean any dirty spots then rub many coats of oil into the stock to finish it (I used circa 1850 lemon oil and it turned out really nice). The amount of coats depends on how dry your rifle is but don't worry as you can't mess this part up, too much is no problem and just wipes off. There are a couple different types of period correct scope mounts but if you're going with a side rail you'll have to cut the stock a little on the left side. I used a dremel for this. IF you are getting a new stock DO NOT cut it up. A good original k98 stock without Russian stampings should not be Bubba'd (and you'll be hanged by the CGN community!).
 
I think that before putting alot of money into making your rifle into a sniper clone that I'd at the very least check the rifles accuracy by shooting it from a bench, fully supported. There's not much point in spending more than you paid for the rifle only to find out that she groups 4-6 inches at best. She'll probably do much better than that but you don't want to find out after spending all that money on her. My preference would be to keep her original, but I wish you well whatever you may decide to do.

Regards,

Frank
 
There's not much point in spending more than you paid for the rifle only to find out that she groups 4-6 inches at best.

That goes without saying. Not to mention you might find out you like the whole iron sights thing! Remember that these rifles are sighted for 100 metres & out so you'll have to adjust for that if shooting at a shorter range.

My preference would be to keep her original

True, but if you're going to mess with one an RC is the way to go. These guns are a mix bag of parts so they're only original as of 1945 (not to mention all the additional markings the Russians saw fit to bestow). Do make sure and check all your serial numbers though. They won't match... But if they did you would kick yourself for touching it.
 
A few things:

1. See if you can get the correct parts first. Period correct stuff can take a while to source out.

2. As stated: Make sure the rifle will group first.

3. Find a rifle that has been previously bubba'd. As it stands now, you can re-sell the rifle for $350, or you can pay a gun-smith $30 to drill and tap the reciever and de-value the rifle by about half. So just to D/T a rifle you've already lost about $200.

Food for thought.
 
Thanks for all the replies its really helpful.
Once the out door rage is open at my gun club I will shoot it and see how accurate it is.
I actually like the iron sights and that's something I will take into consideration. From what If red it might be best if I find one that's already modified as a sniper clone but for now time will tell. I am glad to hear that I did not over pay for it :D
 
(I used circa 1850 lemon oil and it turned out really nice).

One should not use lemon oil because it is just petroleum based oil with a lemon scent. It is not a wood finish but only a wood polish that evaporates soon after use with no protective qualities afterwards.

Boiled Linseed Oil is best for solid wood stocks and a laminated stock to be correct should have some type of varnish or shellac.
 
Were did you buy that RC. It has lots of very nice stampings on the barrel, how is the bore?

I bought it at a gun shop in Vernon B.C. (not far from where I live)
It was the nicest one of them all (there was 3) and the bore is in pretty good shape. I really like shooting it. Cant wait for it to get a little warmer here to go and shoot some more :50cal:
 
Boiled Linseed Oil is best for solid wood stocks and a laminated stock to be correct should have some type of varnish or shellac.

I find that the Linseed Oil comes out WAY too dark for a accurate look (compared to my non RC K98).
 
I used boiled linseed oil and I wish I did not. I don't like the smell a lot. I will probably try bees wax or something ells. Its probably just me but to me it feels like it leaves some residue on the stock as well.
 
I use between 7 and 15 applications of BLO on a stock, depending on how dry the wood is when I start, the whole process takes more than a week, and about another week just to dry.

The residue will go away.

-apply
-let sit a half hour
-rub off excess BLO with a cloth, the more friction the better
-let sit overnight

-repeat as necessary.
 
Vernon?? Last time i went through there couldn't find the shop!

I'd say you paid $75 less before tax than most I've seen, so you're doing well. If you become hell bent on having a sniper, you can just as easily ask for a drilled and tapped one on here, or, if it doesn't have to look EXACTLY the same, do as I did and pick up a drilled and tapped M48. Looks the same to me:eek: Plus I don't feel guilty about butchering such nice guns.

Oh, and I find mauser iron sights some of the most pleasing to me, I actually take the scope off my m48 to shoot it mostly:rolleyes:
 
BLO will definitely leave a residue on the stock if it is not applied properly. It needs to be rubbed in and then the remainder totally removed with a cotton cloth before leaving it. After a day or two another amount rubbed in and then totally removed. If you leave it on the surface it will dry and become a real problem to remove. Good luck, Dave
 
I bought it at a gun shop in Vernon B.C. (not far from where I live)
It was the nicest one of them all (there was 3) and the bore is in pretty good shape. I really like shooting it. Cant wait for it to get a little warmer here to go and shoot some more :50cal:


Here is a pic of my RC, bought it from Milarm in Edm. Pic shows it straight off the Eastern Front... Next pic is my RC below my Norwegian k98 in 30.06

The RC had the ####ty red Russian applied varnish. I removed it with actone and sand paper. Found stock to be nice walnut not laminated. I used one coat of linseed oil, then three coats of True oil.. and presto. One beautiful unit.


WALNUT_K98.jpg


GRIESBACH_WOOD064.jpg
 
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Don't ever put a scope on a RC! It has nazi markings...it has history...

If you need to get a sniper variant of a mauser, do it to a post war eastern european gun. They're usually more accurate anyways.
 
I would NOT use True-oil on a milsurp. It has polymerizers (ie, Varnish) in it. NOT APPROPRIATE for a milsurp, though it makes a GREAT shiny finish on commercial stocks.
 
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