Highest quality military 98 Mauser actions?

Far as 98 actions are concerned, I always thought the best-made should include the 1912 Steyr contract. DEFINITELY a well-made and beautifully-made action, slick as whale-snot and a lot prettier; it really shows what a factory could do, a whole century ago.
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The thumb cutout on the left side of the M98 military receivers makes them liable to flexing when the rear guard screw is tightened. For this reason it is important to use a metal bushing in the rear guard screw hole of the stock.
 
I agree on the vz.24 and the 1908. To that, I'd add the M1909 Argentinian - it is top notch.
 
For conversions if you want the stripper clip guide on the receiver the FN or VZ-24 actions are hard to beat. The south american mausers (1908 and 1909) are case-hardened actions and are in the 100 year old range. They are fine actions and certainly have the highest levels of workmanship--but perhaps not the best choice for high pressure cartriges if you are going to shoot them a lot. Not saying that there won't be dozens who say they are perfectly fine for that but custom rifles cost lots of $$ so I would start with a newer action myself.

ymmv. 44Bore.
 
Here's a few tid bits I Googled about mauser actions.... from the firing line..

Question

The 113 year old Mauser action has several limitations that more modern actions don't have.

1. The metallurgy is archaic using a soft steel that has been surface hardened using a carburization process. Metallurgy when Paul Mauser designed the model 1898 was more art than science.

2. The Mauser action is not particularly stiff with the huge thumb cut in the left side for stripper clip loading.

3. The action length limits the length of cartridge that can be used.

4. The magazine feed lips are machined into the receiver. While they work great for a 8x57 or 7x57 cartridge, they don't work so great for cartridges with other lengths or diameters.

5. The Mauser action uses a stock mounted recoil lug that engages a lip on the lower front edge of the receiver.

6. The lock time of the heavy steel firing pin is slow by modern standards.

7. Good triggers are hard to find for a Mauser.

Answer

If you are going through the expense of building a good long range rifle, start with a Remington 700 action purchased cheap at a pawn shop.

1. Yes the heat treat is old school, but this can be fixed (if needed) by re-heat treating the action. Companies like Pac-Met and a few others can make the action suitable for today's high pressure cartridges. Besides not all M98 actions are 113 years old so not all actions have the same heat treat.

2. It is stiff enough to handle most magnum cartridges, I've seen several military actions built into .458 Lott and I'm sure that isn't the smallest. Again the action might have to re-heat treated but this can be done as stated above.

3 & 4. Any gunsmith worth his salt can easily fix both of these perceived problems. I've seen several old 1909 Mauser's made into rifles capable of shooting the H&H length cartridges. Plus if the action isn't an intermediate length it will generally feed and .30-06 based cartridge without modification. Several companies make different sized magazine boxes and followers because some many 98 Mauser's have been made into something else other than the 7 & 8X57.

5. Actually the recoil lug is part of the action, the front action screw, screws right into the center of it. What you are talking about is a cross bolt in the stock and they have been used with other rifles without integral recoil lugs as well. The cross bolt keeps the stock from cracking under recoil.

6. Yes they have a slow lock time, but it can be improved with aftermarket springs and firing pins. It will never have the speed of the M700 but it is more than adequate for most people.

7. Other than the M700 there are probably more triggers made out there for the M98 than any other rifle. Midway has two pages of triggers for the Mauser action, though not all are for the M98.

The only real big detraction from sporterizing old M98 Mauser actions is the cost. It is far cheaper to modify a M700 or newer action than an old M98. However none of those rifles ever have the class and style of a properly customized Mauser action.
 
@ Pblatzz:

thank you!
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BTW, has anybody considered a 1910 Ross action? Lotsa length there, quick, too, and there isn't another triger as smooth anywhere.

Or the P-'14 action: pure Mauser but with the length for Magnums. Roy Weatherby did think rather highly of them, remember.
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I think your missing the point here. I'm making a scout rifle, in 308 or 30-06. I want to use a mauser for it's reliability and ability to use stripper clips.I just want a high quality action because I like slick well machined actions, not something that looks like it was carved by a beaver. Thanks for all the replies guys.



Pblatzz said:
Here's a few tid bits I Googled about mauser actions.... from the firing line..

Question

The 113 year old Mauser action has several limitations that more modern actions don't have.

1. The metallurgy is archaic using a soft steel that has been surface hardened using a carburization process. Metallurgy when Paul Mauser designed the model 1898 was more art than science.

2. The Mauser action is not particularly stiff with the huge thumb cut in the left side for stripper clip loading.

3. The action length limits the length of cartridge that can be used.

4. The magazine feed lips are machined into the receiver. While they work great for a 8x57 or 7x57 cartridge, they don't work so great for cartridges with other lengths or diameters.

5. The Mauser action uses a stock mounted recoil lug that engages a lip on the lower front edge of the receiver.

6. The lock time of the heavy steel firing pin is slow by modern standards.

7. Good triggers are hard to find for a Mauser.

Answer

If you are going through the expense of building a good long range rifle, start with a Remington 700 action purchased cheap at a pawn shop.

1. Yes the heat treat is old school, but this can be fixed (if needed) by re-heat treating the action. Companies like Pac-Met and a few others can make the action suitable for today's high pressure cartridges. Besides not all M98 actions are 113 years old so not all actions have the same heat treat.

2. It is stiff enough to handle most magnum cartridges, I've seen several military actions built into .458 Lott and I'm sure that isn't the smallest. Again the action might have to re-heat treated but this can be done as stated above.

3 & 4. Any gunsmith worth his salt can easily fix both of these perceived problems. I've seen several old 1909 Mauser's made into rifles capable of shooting the H&H length cartridges. Plus if the action isn't an intermediate length it will generally feed and .30-06 based cartridge without modification. Several companies make different sized magazine boxes and followers because some many 98 Mauser's have been made into something else other than the 7 & 8X57.

5. Actually the recoil lug is part of the action, the front action screw, screws right into the center of it. What you are talking about is a cross bolt in the stock and they have been used with other rifles without integral recoil lugs as well. The cross bolt keeps the stock from cracking under recoil.

6. Yes they have a slow lock time, but it can be improved with aftermarket springs and firing pins. It will never have the speed of the M700 but it is more than adequate for most people.

7. Other than the M700 there are probably more triggers made out there for the M98 than any other rifle. Midway has two pages of triggers for the Mauser action, though not all are for the M98.

The only real big detraction from sporterizing old M98 Mauser actions is the cost. It is far cheaper to modify a M700 or newer action than an old M98. However none of those rifles ever have the class and style of a properly customized Mauser action.
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Slimbo said:
I think your missing the point here. I'm making a scout rifle, in 308 or 30-06. I want to use a mauser for it's reliability and ability to use stripper clips.I just want a high quality action because I like slick well machined actions, not something that looks like it was carved by a beaver. Thanks for all the replies guys.
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Then I suggest you look at tradex and search under M98, There are many rifles to choose from that have the stripper clip cut on the bridge. There is a nice rifle in 30-06 I saw a Erfurt 1917 Mauser M98. Your going to spend around $300 min anyway for the action, you might as well get more and build from there.
 
The best kind...obviously whatever kinda that lives in my gunsafe, LOL
Seriously though, I vote for the swede; even though it's only a two lug design. Better steel & out of this world craftsmanship.
 
The *best* actions for spotters are the small-ring 98's. The is because they are trimmer and relatively light weight. Candidates include:

-Kar98a
-G33/40
-Maxican M1936

Of course, none of these actions are readily available any more.

Next on the list would be the large-ring 98's. I would look for a teutonic-made action, preferably south-american contract as they were the best fit and finished.

Good candidates include:
-Steyr M1912 actions (in 7mm - not in 7.62 as those actions are spoiled with ugly 7.62 stampings into the actions)
-1909 Argentine actions (EXCELLENT choice with hinged bottom metal)
-1908 Brazilian
-1935 Brazilian (these have a nice Mauser banner logo on the rear bridge - and make VERY nice scout actions)
 
Pre WW1 Oberndorf actions are pretty hard to beat. The earlier comments about surface hardened actions are interesting. The early case hardened Mauser actions had a hard skin on the surface which made them smooth but the steel beneath was very tough. The best combination in my opinion. A friend of mine has a 1908 98 Gewhr that practically opens and closes by itself.
 
Slimbo said:
I think your missing the point here. I'm making a scout rifle, in 308 or 30-06. I want to use a mauser for it's reliability and ability to use stripper clips.I just want a high quality action because I like slick well machined actions, not something that looks like it was carved by a beaver. Thanks for all the replies guys.
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Pick up one of the Steyr 1912 actions from P&S or maybe Tradex if they still have them.

They are exactly what you are looking for. All set to go.

A better trigger might be preferred but a properly tuned two stage trigger can be a dream to use if your length of pull is bang on.

Another action that wasn't mentioned here was the Mexican small ring 98, model 1954. They are some of the smoothest mauser actions I've seen and handled. The late model 54 is already chambered for 30-06 length.

Also, FN built and chambered many 98s in post war production for different nations.

I understand what you're looking for and understand why. The Spanish FR8, when it has a decent bore is everything you need. The sights are great, front and rear. They are a bit pricey these days but still, if you're looking for a utility rifle they are a great place to start. About the only thing you might have to change on an FR8 is to add a LER scope base along the barrel.

The FR8 has already been field tested but not likely battle tested. Not that it would make much difference, it's a 98 mauser with slight modifications in 7.62x51.

Brazil, also modified their used 1908 and 1935 actions into 7.62x51 and added some very nice H&K barrel sights to the rear reciever bridge. Then they also converted some to 30-06 in the 50s. There is one for sale right now on the Milsurp EE.

The Israelis converted thousands to 7.62x51 as well. Most, if the bores are excellent will become tack drivers with bit of tinkering.

Just one more little thing to throw into the ring, are 308 or 30-06 your only options as far as cartridges go??? The 6.5x55,7.65x53, 7x57, 8x57 are also excellent choices. Most well stocked gun shops carry these cartridges. All are in the same category as far as the 308 and 30-06 go.

If it doesn't cause your nose to curl up, the Mosin M38s and M44s are also in the same power range and with very little effort or expense can make fine scout rifles. I will admit, the M98 mauser is much prettier.
 
The M1954 Mexican is just an M1936 action re-barelled to .30-06. In any event, it makes no difference. I've seen exactly TWO for sale in the last 15 years. One I bought and it's not for sale. ;)

Not exactly "readily available".

For ease of procurement, it's hard to beat a nice Steyr 1912 action from P&S or Tradex.
 
Heres a Mexican 1954 Mauser sporter in 7x57mm. Kinda rough shape but it shoots well enough.

DSC_0253.jpg

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Slimbo said:
I'm looking to build a custom
Scout rifle and I would like to use a military Mauser action because of the thumb cutout and stripper clip guide. What are the highest quality/slickest Mauser actions around? I imagine the German ones?

Thanks
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Use a P14 or M17 action. Strongest "Mauser" action made and has the best safety and sights. The military stocks were an excellent design for grip and "point", and the cranked bolt handle puts the knob in the right place for quick use. If you dig around you can probably find a retired target barrel in 7.62mm if that is what you want for a calibre.
 
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