The 6.5 Swede service pressure is 46,000 psi, so that is what a lot of "gun experts" say the 96-38 action is good for, and guess what the service pressure for the German 8-57 in the 98 mauser is? 47,000 psi!
So if the 96 Swede is only good for 46,000 psi cartridges than the 98 Mauser is only good for 47,000 psi cartridges. The biggest differences are the 98 handles gas better than the 96, and cocks on opening. Virtually all the 98's are made of low carbon steel with a thin carburizing, they drill like peanut butter. The 96 is made of Bofors steel, a tough springy sort of chrome moly steel. I have never seen a 96 with the lugs set back, 98's with lug set back are pretty common.
The Swedish firms of Huskavarna, Stiga, Falon, and smaller shops made lots of beautiful sporters on 96's in 30-06, 9.3-62, .270 win, 8-57 ... with no apparent problems. The 8-57 has the livin snot loaded out of in some European loads, they work fine in the 96 sporters acording to the swedes.
The Swedish sporters I have examined in 30-06, .270 and 9.3-62 have lengthened magazine boxes. You can tell easily by looking from the top because the follower isn't lengthened so there is a small gap at the front of the follower.
The upside to the 96 Swede is the metalurgy and the fact it makes a lighter and trimmer sporter. The down side is #### on closing, gas handling and possibly the lack of the bolt sleeve lock.
So if the 96 Swede is only good for 46,000 psi cartridges than the 98 Mauser is only good for 47,000 psi cartridges. The biggest differences are the 98 handles gas better than the 96, and cocks on opening. Virtually all the 98's are made of low carbon steel with a thin carburizing, they drill like peanut butter. The 96 is made of Bofors steel, a tough springy sort of chrome moly steel. I have never seen a 96 with the lugs set back, 98's with lug set back are pretty common.
The Swedish firms of Huskavarna, Stiga, Falon, and smaller shops made lots of beautiful sporters on 96's in 30-06, 9.3-62, .270 win, 8-57 ... with no apparent problems. The 8-57 has the livin snot loaded out of in some European loads, they work fine in the 96 sporters acording to the swedes.
The Swedish sporters I have examined in 30-06, .270 and 9.3-62 have lengthened magazine boxes. You can tell easily by looking from the top because the follower isn't lengthened so there is a small gap at the front of the follower.
The upside to the 96 Swede is the metalurgy and the fact it makes a lighter and trimmer sporter. The down side is #### on closing, gas handling and possibly the lack of the bolt sleeve lock.
