K98 Mauser chambering issue

Coffice

Coffice

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Hi guys!

I have a K98 that is having problems chambering the longer FMJ rounds in 8x57 (of course). I have purchased a box of Hornady SP and Federal SP and both chamber flawlessly quickly or lightly actioned, but when I try and chamber a SB 8x57 FMJ it feels tight about 3/4 up and the ejector claw end hits the edge of the receiver, as if the extractor isn't slide all the way down over the S and B case.

I have ordered a new mag spring thinking that pressure on the follower upwards may help the rounds seat on the bolt face, but I was wondering if there was a way I could buff the extractor claw and make it smoother.

There are some light scuffs on the brass as well, and brass markings on the feed ramp but I assume that is normal.

Any tips?

If there are any gunsmiths here in NS who would like to take a look, feel free to PM me.

Thanks guys!
 
measure your new ammo vs what works and see if there are any differences in case diameter, length, shoulder set back or rim thickness to see if it is the ammo before messing with the rifle
 
I have done that and the S and B stuff is a little larger in all regards but the biggest difference is the FMJ bullet length, it almost seems to catch on the feed ramp and the shoulder is just a tad longer then that of the Fed/Hornady.

What makes this strange S and B has been making this exact ammo since the 70's, it should be the most reliable version available! I might switch to PPU FMJ's because I have heard they are the best you can get in 8x57
 
mag spring thinking that pressure on the follower upwards may help the rounds seat on the bolt face, but I was wondering if there was a way I could buff the extractor claw and make it smoother.

The shell is supposed to go up between the extractor and bolt face , but I polished the face of the extractor on one of mine and it did go over the rim and work , ended up fixing it so they didn't have to but I would polish it just in case one popped up in front of the extractor . I used a dremil and flapper wheel
 
Keithjohn said:
mag spring thinking that pressure on the follower upwards may help the rounds seat on the bolt face, but I was wondering if there was a way I could buff the extractor claw and make it smoother.

The shell is supposed to go up between the extractor and bolt face , but I polished the face of the extractor on one of mine and it did go over the rim and work , ended up fixing it so they didn't have to but I would polish it just in case one popped up in front of the extractor . I used a dremil and flapper wheel
Click to expand...


I think I'll do that just in case and test the new mag spring when it arrives also.

It's strange for me because like I mentioned, the S and B rounds have been around since the 70's they should be very reliable in most applications.
 
I have had issues with S&B as well as Igman and PPU factory cartridges feeding into one of my K98s. The extractor claw was a bit longer than it should have been and some judicious stoning fixed it up. It was fine with other commercial rounds as well.

I measured the base diameters of the recessed rims and found another issue. The North American made cartridges had smaller diameter bases machined into them. Not much but enough that combined with the slightly longer extractor claw the cases would bind before getting fully onto the bolt face.
 
bearhunter said:
I have had issues with S&B as well as Igman and PPU factory cartridges feeding into one of my K98s. The extractor claw was a bit longer than it should have been and some judicious stoning fixed it up. It was fine with other commercial rounds as well.

I measured the base diameters of the recessed rims and found another issue. The North American made cartridges had smaller diameter bases machined into them. Not much but enough that combined with the slightly longer extractor claw the cases would bind before getting fully onto the bolt face.
Click to expand...

Yes! I noticed that too.

I very gently brushed up my extractor claw but I think a combination of restoning/polishing will help. My K98 is a DOT 1944 so I know it is a later-war rifle and could possibly have some defects. It is also an RC so who really knows, right?

What bits did you use for the stoning?
 
Hi guys, just wanted to provide an update as I tackle this problem.

The mag spring arrived from Brownells and did not help the FMJ rounds seat on the bolt face. I inspected the recessed rim where the claw touches the brass and I do notice a bit of marking. This would indicate that the extractor claw needs to be polished and smoothed I'm assuming.

Can anyone provide some guidance on how I should go about this with a dremel tool?

Thanks!
 
I used S&B SPCE and it fires perfectly. I had concerns about the bore diameter of my rifles but after measuring they are the same. Both were made in occupied Czechoslovakia /Yugoslavia

Does the FMJ measure different? It's expensive ammo and SPCE was cheapest in the spring so loaded up on that..
 
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