M98 Action Length?

mmattockx

mmattockx

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Tradex has numerous commercial 98 Mausers in both 30-06 and 8x57, with the 8x57's being more plentiful and cheaper. I was thinking of buying one of these as a basis for a custom rifle in 338-06. Since the 8x57 ones are cheaper and have more selection, I woudl like to use one of those if they have the same action length as the 30-06 versions.

Can anyone confirm if they are the same length or not?

Thanks,
Mark
 
If you are looking at the Husqvarna rifles with commercial FN 98 actions then the answer is yes they are the same.
 
The action length is the same, HOWEVER, on some Mausers the magazine box is longer for the .30-06 versions and the 8mm box is shorter (too short) for a .30-06 based case. The action screw spacing is the same on both.
 
Claven2 said:
The action length is the same, HOWEVER, on some Mausers the magazine box is longer for the .30-06 versions and the 8mm box is shorter (too short) for a .30-06 based case. The action screw spacing is the same on both.
Click to expand...

Perhaps that is the question I should have been asking. I have a beater Mauser in 8x57 and the mag is definitely too short to load full length 30-06 rounds without modification.

I guess I will call Anthony and ask about the mags.

Thanks,
Mark
 
If it has a mag-box with lock screws, it will be of military dimensions ~3.250"

if it has the FN mag-box with the short front tang and no lockscrews it will be ~3.400"

that of course doesn;t factor in the mix and match that could have happened.

Only the very early commercial FN's will have the combination of;

short military mag box
charger hump
not factory drilled and tapped
full C-ring
 
mmattockx said:
Perhaps that is the question I should have been asking. I have a beater Mauser in 8x57 and the mag is definitely too short to load full length 30-06 rounds without modification.

I guess I will call Anthony and ask about the mags.

Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

You'll have to modify the bottom of the receiver as well to properly feed 30-06 cartridges, it isn't just swapping out the bottom metal. - dan
 
Note That Yugoslav Kragovic and Zastava M48 Mausers action are slightly shorter than regular Mauser 98.
Bolts are correspondingly shorter too. Not interchangeable.
Receiver and barrel threads are a different profile also, but same diameter and pitch. New pre-thread Mauser barrel will have to go on a lathe to change the thread profile.
Had a sewer pipe 8mm barrel changed to a 7x57 FN barrel. Very sweet.
Commercial Mannlicher stock with double set triggers.
 
dan belisle said:
You'll have to modify the bottom of the receiver as well to properly feed 30-06 cartridges, it isn't just swapping out the bottom metal. - dan
Click to expand...

Hey Dan, other than filing a bit off the front (and maybe the back) of the bottom of the action opening to accommodate the longer round, is there any other work necessary (as in feed lips)?

The reason I ask is because I have a M98 converted to .30-06 by a European factory, which is giving me feeding problems. The rounds sometimes jump in front of the extractor when feeding. That is a big hassle in M98 actions! I have already put in a new extractor and a new follower spring, which help a lot, but unfortunately have not fixed the problem for good.
 
It's a magazine lip problem... nothing to do with springs and follower... You have to adjust the lips in accordance to the cartridge used.

The "commercial" FN M/98 usually have a magazine that accomodates any cartridge of 3.400" and shorter. If in doubt buy one chambered in 30-06...
 
diopter said:
Note That Yugoslav Kragovic and Zastava M48 Mausers action are slightly shorter than regular Mauser 98.
Bolts are correspondingly shorter too. Not interchangeable.
Receiver and barrel threads are a different profile also, but same diameter and pitch. New pre-thread Mauser barrel will have to go on a lathe to change the thread profile.
Had a sewer pipe 8mm barrel changed to a 7x57 FN barrel. Very sweet.
Commercial Mannlicher stock with double set triggers.
Click to expand...

Yep, based on the FN Mauser actions. There are lots of this "intermediate" variety floating around, so no worries about finding parts.
 
Hi Baribal,

Mine came already in .30-06, we've talked about it on another thread already. Mine cannot take 3.4" rounds, 3.3" being about the max working length. And the magazine well has already been lengthened for that, the feed ramp being shorter than the one one on another M98 I have in 8x57mm, so it isn't the original length.

It must indeed be a feeding lips problem, because the rounds coming off the same side seem to pop out of the magazine too early, jumping straight in front of the extractor.

I'll check again with the dealer I bought it from to see what they can do, they've already helped some. Otherwise I'll have to bring it to a gunsmith. There's lots of stuff I don't mind doing myself, but the feeding lips on these things seem to be more complicated than I want to deal with. I just don't want to ruin it.

By the way, are you anywhere near La Belle Province?

Thanks for your answer.
 
There is a formula for Mauser feed lips, worked out a long time ago. I have a paper copy somewhere, but perhaps a digital copy can be found somewhere. The other thing that can effect this is the follower, they aren't all the same. I have had some success swapping followers in the past, and it is something I do before I start filing the feed lips. As to the length of the box, bottom of the receiver, they have to be opened up for 30-06 or longer cartridges. There are a couple ways to do this, filing the front and rear will gain you a small clearance amount, cutting away the rear of the box and welding a rear wall further back gains you more. Open the receiver to match, adjust bolt stop/ejector accordingly. Just be very cautious about cutting away the feed ramp, there isn't a lot of meat there to remove. Some, but not a lot (it is where the factories cut away the receiver to open up the 98 for H&H length cartridges). The intermediate length Mausers are a little tougher, I have seen a few converted to 06 and longer cartridges. I have done a couple Mexicans in the past, they make a nice medium weight (light weight for a Mauser) hunting rifle. Drives the surplus guys crazy though. - dan
 
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