Best Mauser action.
- Thread starter Win/64
- Start date
- Location
- marmora ontario
I have a 7x57 on an Oberndorf action Chilean Police carbine Modelo 1935. And a 284 on a 1909 action and a 9.3x62 on a 1908,and a 358 win on a BYF-41(mauser-werke) action.All are good ,the 1909 has a hinged trigger guard but you can get trigger guards on Ebay,Numrich etc. All in all it would cost many$$$ to make these actions today. I would go with the 1908 as its already a 7x57. My 2 cents.. JITC
I've not seen a 1908 Oberndorf Mauser. All the '08's I've seen have been DWM. Nonetheless, I've always felt the Mauser plant did the best job on Mausers so like the Orberndorf models best with my favourite being the 1935. I wish I had kept the ones I had. Regards, Bill
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The original Mauser design put the extractor cut in the center of the locking lug. Some post-war 98 commercial actions got away from this by putting the cut below the lug, making those actions slightly better. The Brno (ZG-47 and 600 Series) is my top choice followed by the Husqvarna 1600. Having said that I have a M-98 action and a stock blank in my gun room waiting for a new idea and some freed up cash.
The Oberndorf will have a thumb-cut and full C-ring breeching, the 648 is made by FN will have a solid left wall, but will have H-ring breeching.
IMO, unless you like the look of the thumb-cut, the 98 pattern to get is the very early post-war FN (tradex has them in various Huskys) with the solid left wall and the full C-ring breech. You can tell these because they will have the clip loading hump. Problem is finding one that isn;t swiss-cheesed with holes on the tops and sides.
IMO, unless you like the look of the thumb-cut, the 98 pattern to get is the very early post-war FN (tradex has them in various Huskys) with the solid left wall and the full C-ring breech. You can tell these because they will have the clip loading hump. Problem is finding one that isn;t swiss-cheesed with holes on the tops and sides.
The quality way is to use the Brno Model 21 receiver and the Brno ZG47 bolt, shroud/safety and foresight, couple these with quality bottom metal of your choice and a very nice stable piece of walnut (hand cut is the Preferred way), then chamber this into a 7 x 64 Brenneke.
And if any of you gentlemen go this route, make sure you post the pictures here for me to see........or I will haunt you to the grave !
James.
And as an aside, if anyone has a Brno ZG47 bolt complete.....contact me ......that is all I need to achieve this lofty ideal.
And if any of you gentlemen go this route, make sure you post the pictures here for me to see........or I will haunt you to the grave !
James.
And as an aside, if anyone has a Brno ZG47 bolt complete.....contact me ......that is all I need to achieve this lofty ideal.
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FN M98 H type
Is what Weatherby used for his early own rifles. These were used from about 1946 to 1958 and were supplied to him by Sako of Finland, together with their trigger units (and many Weatherby brass was made for a very long time exclusively by Norma Precision).
Also, one may be carful when choosing a HVA 640 series; they actually used three actions to build them; M96 (solid wall (no thumb notch) or "commercial"), the FN M98 "C" type and finally the FN M98 "H" type. The H-Typa was also used by Sako to build their Hi-Power rifles chambered in .270 Win and 30-06 Sprg, fitted with their trigger unit and Bofors steel barrel.
The HVA 1600 (or 1640, as known in Europe) is one of the best small ring Mauser type action ever made, the receiver being made of modern steel alloy (vs high carbon or low alloy carbon steel for most older receivers).
The Brno 21 is also a very good choice when one wants a SM Mauser.
Is what Weatherby used for his early own rifles. These were used from about 1946 to 1958 and were supplied to him by Sako of Finland, together with their trigger units (and many Weatherby brass was made for a very long time exclusively by Norma Precision).
Also, one may be carful when choosing a HVA 640 series; they actually used three actions to build them; M96 (solid wall (no thumb notch) or "commercial"), the FN M98 "C" type and finally the FN M98 "H" type. The H-Typa was also used by Sako to build their Hi-Power rifles chambered in .270 Win and 30-06 Sprg, fitted with their trigger unit and Bofors steel barrel.
The HVA 1600 (or 1640, as known in Europe) is one of the best small ring Mauser type action ever made, the receiver being made of modern steel alloy (vs high carbon or low alloy carbon steel for most older receivers).
The Brno 21 is also a very good choice when one wants a SM Mauser.
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BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
FWIW my 98 Husky was built in '47 and has the thumb cut. I kinda like it like that and wish I knew where to get clips for it (it's a 9.3x62). Unfortunately some jerkoff bored holes in the left side wall for a scope mount. Still, it should looks pretty good when I get it back from the Old Man who's gunsmithing it a bit for me. I should have taken pics to document the process. Oh well, have to do another one!
Stock Military actions take far too much time and personal investment to get them to where you would be happy.
Go commercial.
If it has to be a mauser platform go with a Ruger Model 77 Mk I or Mk II
Very easy to come by, lots of aftermarket assessories available both high quality and less expensive field grade quality parts.
Too many people discount the Ruger M77 Action.
It is a great piece and a VERY close kissing cousin to a modern mauser action. My 2 cents - however having said I caution against building - buy a rack rifle of good quality and soldier on.
Go commercial.
If it has to be a mauser platform go with a Ruger Model 77 Mk I or Mk II
Very easy to come by, lots of aftermarket assessories available both high quality and less expensive field grade quality parts.
Too many people discount the Ruger M77 Action.
It is a great piece and a VERY close kissing cousin to a modern mauser action. My 2 cents - however having said I caution against building - buy a rack rifle of good quality and soldier on.
............ and you can get one in stainless as well, an option not readily found in Mauser actions.
A while back, I was looking for a Mauser action for a project and finally went with a stainless Ruger MkII / laminated. If I do go ahead with the project, it will be a very good start.
.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
This is a good point, the 77's have much to offer. While I think the wing style safety was a small step backwards from the tang safety, it is a minor criticism. The .375 Ruger models though could benefit from a drop box magazine, similar to the Brno 602, or 1917 Enfield.
The "thumb notch" on the 98, while it may have served some purpose as a "thumb notch", was designed as a gas escape route by Mauser to allow gas to ecape the left raceway.
There is little doubt though, actions with out the notch are smoother in operation than those with it and are easy to work with as far as feeding is concerned.
The splitting of the left locking lug is something which I considered to be a bit of a flaw early in my career and was reason enough to look down a bit at the '98. Now that I've been gunsmithing for over 30 years, I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of rifles built on Mauser actions and have come to realize this is not an issue. The slot, coupled with the very well designed bolt stop/ejector provides positive ejection to the side while having little effect on the strength of the action.
I am also a fan of the Ruger action (not a fan of their stupid trigger design mind you) but, if one wants a classic 50's styled sporter, he wants to use a Mauser. Regards, Bill.
There is little doubt though, actions with out the notch are smoother in operation than those with it and are easy to work with as far as feeding is concerned.
The splitting of the left locking lug is something which I considered to be a bit of a flaw early in my career and was reason enough to look down a bit at the '98. Now that I've been gunsmithing for over 30 years, I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of rifles built on Mauser actions and have come to realize this is not an issue. The slot, coupled with the very well designed bolt stop/ejector provides positive ejection to the side while having little effect on the strength of the action.
I am also a fan of the Ruger action (not a fan of their stupid trigger design mind you) but, if one wants a classic 50's styled sporter, he wants to use a Mauser. Regards, Bill.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Likely you can thank the lawyers for that one.
