FN Browning Mauser 98 Custom Ideas Needed!

Steyr101

Steyr101

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Hello gents,

I have the urge to build up a nice custom Mauser based on the receiver of an FN Browning High Power Rifle.

The action is of course... an FN Mauser. It is a long action, and the rifle is currently chambered in .30-06. The action is in fantastic condition, but the rest of the rifle is quite used. My idea is to salvage the action... and make an entirely new rifle.

My first question... is there anything I should know about this action specifically as far as limitations? I want a large caliber, that I know... what is the limit?

Right now I am undecided between two extremes.

1) The first idea is to build a classic Mauser based sporting rifle.. nice wood, nice bluing, classic caliber with an optical sight. Beauty will take precedence over everything else while still remaining very functional and versatile.

2) The second idea I have is to build the biggest baddest up close and personal rifle I can. Large caliber, synthetic stock, express sights (scope optional) tough weather resistant coating on the metal etc... Reliability and stopping power will be the number one concern.

Any ideas? I guess the most important question is caliber... What's the largest caliber I can stuff into this action?? I read (and perhaps I am wrong) that this action will handle the .375 H&H with some creative bottom metal re-workings.

I will post some pics tomorrow of the donor rifle...

Any advice and/or suggestions to sway me in one direction on another would be appreciated!
 
Steyr101 said:
Hello gents,

I have the urge to build up a nice custom Mauser based on the receiver of an FN Browning High Power Rifle.

The action is of course... an FN Mauser. It is a long action, and the rifle is currently chambered in .30-06. The action is in fantastic condition, but the rest of the rifle is quite used. My idea is to salvage the action... and make an entirely new rifle.

My first question... is there anything I should know about this action specifically as far as limitations? I want a large caliber, that I know... what is the limit?

Right now I am undecided between two extremes.

1) The first idea is to build a classic Mauser based sporting rifle.. nice wood, nice bluing, classic caliber with an optical sight. Beauty will take precedence over everything else while still remaining very functional and versatile.

2) The second idea I have is to build the biggest baddest up close and personal rifle I can. Large caliber, synthetic stock, express sights (scope optional) tough weather resistant coating on the metal etc... Reliability and stopping power will be the number one concern.

Any ideas? I guess the most important question is caliber... What's the largest caliber I can stuff into this action?? I read (and perhaps I am wrong) that this action will handle the .375 H&H with some creative bottom metal re-workings.

I will post some pics tomorrow of the donor rifle...

Any advice and/or suggestions to sway me in one direction on another would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

1. There's not many calibers for a Mauser 98 more classic than the 9.3X62 Mauser. This conversion is as simple as screwing on a new barrel - no changes to the magazine, rails, ramp, bolt -- nothing. I have first-hand experience with this on two rifles.


2.While it may not be the biggest or the baddest, the .375 Ruger(or the 416 Ruger) will fit and function nicely in the FN action if the right gunsmith does the work. Besides a new barrel, work is needed on the rails, follower, ramp, extractor and bolt face. I have personal experience with this conversion as well and it works!!!

Of course, you could go with a 458 Win Mag or 416 Taylor. Personally, I'd stay away from the .375 H&H and the .458 Lott because of their length. The mag box has to be lengthened and the abutment behind the lower locking lug must be somewhat ground away - besides the other action work.
 
Thank you for the info Mauser98! I guess I should clarify that for option #1, a classic caliber (to me) is something along classic overall calibers, such as .30-06, .270 Win, .338 Win etc...

I like the ideas of the .375 Ruger, .458 and .416 Taylor.....
 
I'm building one up in 9.3 x 64mm Brenneke, and it seems to be coming along fine. Think of a beltless .338 Win mag necked up to .366. The FN Mauser can be made to fit just about anything with the right amount of $$$, though there are many who say that full-length magnum cartridges leave too little in the bottom lug recess, weakening the action. I would think that any standard-length magnum would work perfectly. If you wanted to spend the time and money to get a .375-class out of it, then you could try the .375 Taylor or the .375 Ruger. You'd need to do some extensive feed modifications, but it could be done. That way you could get the performance without running any risk for weakening the lug recess.

With my build, I'm also planning a nice, all-business rifle, with duracoated metal and a solid laminated stock. It won't be the prettiest girl at the ball, but she'll stand up to just about anything I can dish out. The only things I'm not doing myself are fitting and headspacing the barrel. Enjoy your build! Take lots of photos, too.

Erik.
 
Yeah... I like the idea of a big bore bear/buffalo stopper.

I will be bringing in a few CZ and Dakota actions for my other projects... along with a dozen or so stock blanks from various wood dealers.

But I think this one is going to be one hell of an ugly (but beautiful in our eyes) big bore.

I was originally going to bring in a Granite Mountain action... but at 3K plus (USD) for just the action.. I have moved on to other options...
 
Another vote for 9.3x62, if you want american 35 whelen would be a good choice and if you reload you could look at 37506imp.
 
I'm theading a .257 Weatherby magnum barrel on mine.Already a magnum action with a .308 NM barrrel in place.Was thinking of a .416 Taylor but couldn't get an economical Adams + Bennet barrel from the States easily. Harold
 
Steyr101 said:
1) The first idea is to build a classic Mauser based sporting rifle.. nice wood, nice bluing, classic caliber with an optical sight. Beauty will take precedence over everything else while still remaining very functional and versatile.
Click to expand...

Steyr101 said:
Yeah... I like the idea of a big bore bear/buffalo stopper.
Click to expand...

Looks like you've answered your own question ...... 9.3x62 fits the bill. It's THE classic Mauser bigger bore.


.
 
Seems like 338-06 is all the fad these days and should make a smooth conversion. Ballistics arent too shabby, not that far behind a 338 WM.

9.3x62 is nice just less options for barrels and bullets.
 
My next project will be something similar. I am thinking about either a 338-06 or 35 Whelen.
 
9.3 x 62 is ok, 9.3 x 64 is better - but THE classic would be the 10.75x68. Many of the Euro makers made this round for many years (the .404 Jeffery is basically 10.75x73)

(If anyone knows of a nice 10.75x68 - I am looking)

68 mm is about the longest one can go without removing metal of the receiver (I dont like that part)

You can go with 8x68S -- a very excellent round. 200 gr bullet at about 3000 ft/sec - all in a non-belted, fit into a 98 action, feeds nicely, round.

But - the 10.75x68 shooting a 350 gr bullet at around 2200-2300 ft/s is fun as well. It would look wonderful on a very classic Mauser with well balanced, well figured stock with clean lines.

I guess one of my points is that to be a Mauser classic - look to the Euro rounds (maybe British choices also)

good luck
 
I did a X62 a few years ago on a Husky FN, Heym barrel, timney trigger etc. It really is a wonderful cartridge , feeds flawlessly and it sure puts the hurt on whatever you hit with it. I did another one with a douglas barrel I picked up on the board on another Husky FN98 and own a cz 550 in the same chambering as well so my vote goes for the 9.3x62
 
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