Re-stocked a Mauser (pics)

[prosper]

A while back I received a couple stocks from Richards Microfit that I'd ordered 6 months ago. One went on a Stevens 200 of mine. This one, well, I'd since sold the gun I intended to use it on. So, naturally, that meant I had to buy a new mauser sporter, right? I picked up this beauty in the EE a few weeks back (thanks 303carbine!). It's an m48 with a 284 win barrel, and it came with a sporterized military stock, D&T with mounts. Most the M48's out there are in spectacular shape, being built post war (less immediacy; QC was back up to snuff), and either unissued or lightly used. As such, the finish on it is first rate.

I learned that inletting a stock is a #####. I also learned that, while it has a large ring receiver, the m48 has a small ring length and bottom metal; about 1/4" shorter than a mauser 98. So, i built the stock up from the rear with epoxy, and inletted that. Actually it looks really good, I don't think you'll really be able to tell unless you look once I finish it.

Anyway, I learned that inletting is a #####. (Did I mention that already?)

Here's the progress so far. I still have to complete the bolt inletting and float the barrel, but everything else is a nice loose drop-in fit (loose so there's room to glass bed). After that, just the final wood finish, and it's done

I'll post more pics when I'm better motivated

 

[OldSavage]

Nice colour choice. That thing is gunna rock. Any updated photos?

 

[Claven2]

For the record, Richard's DOES sell a stock inlet for the intermediate-length Mauser 98 (like the yugo).

 

[NAA]

Looks good. I'm a fan of pepper laminates...

 

[prosper]

For the record, Richard's DOES sell a stock inlet for the intermediate-length Mauser 98 (like the yugo).

Oh, I know. But I had this one kicking around, and didn't have 6 months to wait for another one

 

[Amphibious]

I like the stock design, pepper lam is cool, the caps are gross though....

 

[prosper]

OK, it's finished.

 

[308BAR]

OK, it's finished.

That is HAWT! Sweet looking stock. What did you use to finish it? I was going to order one but now you have me totally convinced.

 

[prosper]

Tru-oil and lots of elbow grease. A random orbital sander with 100, 200, 400, 1500 and 3000 grit paper as well as a buffing pad really speed things along, but are not totally necessary. Finish the laminate to about 1500 grit or so, then hit it with a half dozen very light tru-oil coats. Lightly sand the coats with 1500 grit, and repeat gradually working to the 3000 grit once all the pinholes in the grain are filled. Then a few more coats, then the buffing pad. First with polishing wax on the pad (I used minwax finisihing wax). Then with a clean pad. Then, just for good measure, I used some furniture polish on it.

That's a poor picture, it's difficult to photograph shiny objects properly, and I couldn't be bothered. You can see my partial reflection just under the cheek rollover

I also need to invest in a decent scope to replace that Bushnell Trophy on it currently. There are a few minor items I still need to address on this gun before it's totally shootable, initial load testing wasn't promising accuracy-wise. This is an ex-military 7x57 barrel that's been chambered for the 284. It feeds very well, but isn't very accurate. I wasn't able to seat the 162 AMAX to the lands in the barrel, so it's either shot out, or has a loooooong throat. More work to be done, at any rate

 

[OldSavage]

Well its a great start. The rifle looks fantastic. Makes me want to get off my @$$ and finish mine.

Breathing life into old rifles is cool. I hope you can get the old girl shooting good.

 

[northwoodslivin]

That is one beautiful stock!
Lovely choice of action as well

A true beaut you have there!

 

[Demonical]

I don't like the severe angle of the fore-end tip, but the rest is great.

I'm curious about the scope mounts.
1) Did you have a gunsmith mill the receiver to accept scope bases?
2) Also do you really need such high scope rings? Like is that the only size that would fit? Are they that tall to clear the bolt throw?

 

[prosper]

Receiver doesn't need to be milled, just drilled and tapped for weaver beases.

The rings were simply the only spare ones I had kicking around. The bolt handle has been bent top clear a much lower mount. Like I said, I need to re-assess the optics situation on this gun. It'll probably stay with Weaver mounts, but I'll probably mount a nice Burris in their Zee rings on it instead of the current setup

 

[Demonical]

Receiver doesn't need to be milled, just drilled and tapped for weaver beases.

The rings were simply the only spare ones I had kicking around. The bolt handle has been bent to clear a much lower mount. Like I said, I need to re-assess the optics situation on this gun. It'll probably stay with Weaver mounts, but I'll probably mount a nice Burris in their Zee rings on it instead of the current setup

So is it necessary to change the bolt angle on the M-98's if you were mount a scope?

Mine has a Lyman peep sight.

 

[prosper]

Well, not necessarily, depending on the particulars of your m98, scope and mounts. Still, it can't hurt, and is much more comfortable

 

[Mauser98]

That's a nice looking rifle. How's the feeding with that big, fat case?

So is it necessary to change the bolt angle on the M-98's if you were mount a scope?

Most military M98's have straight bolt handles(90 degrees to the bolt body)

or bent bolt handles

Usually, in order to clear a scope, they have to be either forged to a new profile, cut, bent then re-welded or cut off and replaced with a new handle.

It looks like somebody did a nice job on prospers M48

 

[AlderTK]

nice gun the 6 month wait is a bit much but thy shure look nice when finished i'll say that much

 

[prosper]

That's a nice looking rifle. How's the feeding with that big, fat case?

Feeds great. The feed rails have been modified, and function is 100% flawless. I'm very pleased by the quality of the work done