Custom M98 Build... Your Opinions are Welcome

The Kurgan

The Kurgan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
110   0   0
Location
Steel Town
I am looking to build another LR Mauser 98 based stalking rifle. It will be mainly intended for eastern whitetail and possibly black bear, as well as for simple loafing duties. It will get the usual colour case hardening treatment to reflect my personal tastes. That's non-negotiable ��

Action will be German (GEW) or FN military for a touch of nostalgia. I have two small ring 98 commercial sporters with Brno and FN actions that I covet.. But I want something different for this build.

This will be an iron sights-only affair. What type of sights would you recommend for fast and/or accurate target acquisition? And where to get them done.

For a front sight, I am currently leaning towards a modern compact diopter type with various inserts (posts) and the rear as a flip-up peep type. This seems to give me more options up front.

I also really like the "iron" sights found on the Tikka T3 Battue.

Barrel will be 19" to 20" max. I have other longer barreled rifles to choose from. This one needs to be handy. Most shots will be under 100 metres in various mixed terrain.

I am thinking of a medium or heavy sporter contour.

I am torn between Matte black cerakoted stainless or CM in a gloss blue. One is more practical, the other is more classy and abrasion resistant. I am also torn between fluted (for marginal weight savings and better heat dissipation) vs. standard round (for classic appearance).

I am also torn between 7x57 or 6.5x55 or 7x64. What cartridge would you choose and why? Does a short barrel impact one chambering more than another? In the past, I have owned 7x57 and 6.5x55 chambered rifles with barrel lengths ranging from 20" and 23.5" with no noticeable affect on performance or accuracy.

As for a stock, I am leaning towards a classic German sporter style in a Tung oil finish. I also really like the traditional straight grip English stocks.

Your opinions are welcome.
 
any european battue sights will work and i preferred the 690-695 battue version to the t3 ones. unfortunately it was given to a member to another project. the ruger rs or african or alaskan ones are very good too.
 
For no other reason than I’ve always wanted one I’ve picked up a 98 m large ring with the intentions of having it reamed from 8x57 to 8mm/06 . Simple , inexpensive, will drive a heavy 8mm Bullet hard . The rifle is no prize and has already been altered so I’m not worried about “ wrecking “ a collector piece . Should be an absolute hammer on bears.
I am intending to have an 18.5” barrel when done , it’s going to be an In close bush rifle . I’ve read heavier slower bullets are less affected by barrel length .
 
Why not build a 20" full stocked rifle in 7x57 with a nice Lyman receiver sight? Leave the receiver original & un-drilled and use the original military safety. Timney trigger and ADL style bottom to save weight.

Keep it "classic" in all respects and you will appreciate it more down the road.
 
I have a 98k 308 military heavy barrel that has a G3 flash hider. Just need to get around to finding a 98k action for it
 
The barrel I’d forget flutes they don’t remove any meaningful amount of weight, and don’t jive with a classy Mauser. But I’d opt for a full tapered octagon or dodecagon, or half of either whatever suits your tastes. McGowan will give you a wild barrel profile for cheap that you’d have paid a couple thou for ten years ago.

Chambering in my mind zero question 7x57 from your list, and for what you want to do. Action I’d consider branching from your plan for an Oberndorf as then you get the bolt handle without cutting and welding bolts, which I always consider a weakness introduced to what was a single piece of metal. I’d reconsider the heavier contour barrel there’s zero benefit to it in a light stalking rifle, and no stalking rifle has a heavy sporter contour. With the irons you’re not going to be trying to get 1/2 MOA groups at 300, so the barrel weight is just more to carry and throw off the balance. I’d personally look to a 0 or 1 weight.

Also consider a BRNO especially as you want a flip up peep. Find one in 7x57 and you’re done well under budget, you just have sights to customize. I’ve built a lot of rifles and have come to realize it’s usually easier to buy and modify something that already exists than ground up a build. You could rapidly exceed your budget trying to ground up it, as well, just a nice stock is worth $3k or more. This is a 7x57 Oberndorf commercial sporter, in ten years it will be worth more money if unadultered. A custom is always worth less, something to bear in mind, and I think it hits everything except the barrel length.

Xx4964t.jpg
 
Ardent said:
The barrel I’d forget flutes they don’t remove any meaningful amount of weight, and don’t jive with a classy Mauser. But I’d opt for a full tapered octagon or dodecagon, or half of either whatever suits your tastes. McGowan will give you a wild barrel profile for cheap that you’d have paid a couple thou for ten years ago.

Chambering in my mind zero question 7x57 from your list, and for what you want to do. Action I’d consider branching from your plan for an Oberndorf as then you get the bolt handle without cutting and welding bolts, which I always consider a weakness introduced to what was a single piece of metal. I’d reconsider the heavier contour barrel there’s zero benefit to it in a light stalking rifle, and no stalking rifle has a heavy sporter contour. With the irons you’re not going to be trying to get 1/2 MOA groups at 300, so the barrel weight is just more to carry and throw off the balance. I’d personally look to a 0 or 1 weight.

Also consider a BRNO especially as you want a flip up peep. Find one in 7x57 and you’re done well under budget, you just have sights to customize. I’ve built a lot of rifles and have come to realize it’s usually easier to buy and modify something that already exists than ground up a build. You could rapidly exceed your budget trying to ground up it, as well, just a nice stock is worth $3k or more. This is a 7x57 Oberndorf commercial sporter, in ten years it will be worth more money if unadultered. A custom is always worth less, something to bear in mind, and I think it hits everything except the barrel length.

Xx4964t.jpg
Click to expand...

This is good advice.
 
Yup x2 especially barrel profile/shape
And if case colouring is non negotiable I would NOT be painting the barrel! Please rust blue to do the case colouring justice. Curious as to who you have in mind for this?
 
I just took possession of another Brno model 21 in 7x57, this one will stay factory. But it's a 23.5 inch barrel specimen and will be scoped.
 
broadhead67 said:
For no other reason than I’ve always wanted one I’ve picked up a 98 m large ring with the intentions of having it reamed from 8x57 to 8mm/06 . Simple , inexpensive, will drive a heavy 8mm Bullet hard . The rifle is no prize and has already been altered so I’m not worried about “ wrecking “ a collector piece . Should be an absolute hammer on bears.
I am intending to have an 18.5” barrel when done , it’s going to be an In close bush rifle . I’ve read heavier slower bullets are less affected by barrel length .
Click to expand...

I did the same thing to a Husqvarna commercial 98, mine is the AI version. I'm a heavy bullet fan for the most part so it seemed a sensible thing to do. I'm not expecting a huge difference in performance over the standard 8x57, but a loaded cartridge definitely looks impressive. Recoil is fairly stiff with 200gr bullets but certainly manageable. You will not be disappointed.
 
Just bought a donor action and stock:

$240 shipped.

"Mauser 98 factory sporter in 8 mm cal.Missing bolt. Barrel marked H.Dorwal M98x8 and Germany.24 inch barrel with bright bore and rifling showing some wear.3 position leaf rear sight.All metal VG except some pitting around 1 edge of buttplate.Wood is solid with no cracks. $275 plus shipping."

I will post pics later.

These "factory sporters" are not very collectible and I have no qualms about customizing it. The barrel is likely junk, and possibly a .318" bore, so it will be replaced with a 7x57.

The receiver looks great, as does the stock with what appears to be a nice grain hidden under the old finish.
 
Apparently, H. Dorwal sold knives and reworked GEW 98's for the Canadian market.

I already have a lovely Brazilian M954 bolt (Oberndorf made) in perfect condition and already colour case hardened. The extractor was hot blued by Ralf Martini and has been tweaked for 7x57.

I will keep the cost well under $3000 come hell or high water.
 
Now if I can only track down the CGN member that I stupidly sold my sighted M98 barrel to. It was perfect: Brno 21 sights, chambered in 7x57 and 20.5 inches in length.
 
SuperCub said:
Why not build a 20" full stocked rifle in 7x57 with a nice Lyman receiver sight? Leave the receiver original & un-drilled and use the original military safety. Timney trigger and ADL style bottom to save weight.

Keep it "classic" in all respects and you will appreciate it more down the road.
Click to expand...

Receiver will definitely be undrilled. Yes, Timney is already on order. However, I have had great success with reworked M98 triggers, as found on S&L M69's. I will weigh my options carefully.

My goal is to keep this build under $3000 and to keep it classic and handy.
 
D-Man said:
I did the same thing to a Husqvarna commercial 98, mine is the AI version. I'm a heavy bullet fan for the most part so it seemed a sensible thing to do. I'm not expecting a huge difference in performance over the standard 8x57, but a loaded cartridge definitely looks impressive. Recoil is fairly stiff with 200gr bullets but certainly manageable. You will not be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Hadn’t considered the AI , it’s already going to be a hand load so why not ? - thx ! After selling my 45/70 I want a short & nasty , should fit the bill nicely
 
D-Man said:
I did the same thing to a Husqvarna commercial 98, mine is the AI version. I'm a heavy bullet fan for the most part so it seemed a sensible thing to do. I'm not expecting a huge difference in performance over the standard 8x57, but a loaded cartridge definitely looks impressive. Recoil is fairly stiff with 200gr bullets but certainly manageable. You will not be disappointed.
Click to expand...

I have a couple 8mm-06, one regular and one Ackley. Good choice. - dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom