Salvaged K-98 Action, what to build?

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rookie wildcat

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Okay folks, Many people here far more knowledgeable about mil-surp than I.

I have in my possession, a K-98 action, barrel has been mostly sawn off, bolt and receiver SN match. Now, What can I safely build on this action?

I currently own a sported Gew-98 that was re-barreled to a .30-06 long before I got it. I used it for deer hunting and specifically for some long shots over an open field. Built the hottest load I could using a Nosler Partition. Don't remember the details they are at home. However, when I quoted this round recently to a guy at Hodgdon powders he told me that he wouldn't have trusted that particular action to those pressures. Doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the rifle, still shoots well.
So, now I ask, what can I safely build?
 
Here's an idea: build yourself what looks like a box-standard Kar 98k, but do it in 7x57, then shoot it with relatively mild loads. Lots of fun an so accurate it will astound people.

You only RARELY get best accuracy with barn-burner loads.

Hitting a deer with 2300 ft/lbs is much better than missing it with 3300.

FWIW.
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Get a new stock with pistol grip and telescoping stock. Then add several rails to put on your foregrip, holographic sight and flashlight. Then laugh at your friends that don't have a badass tactical K98.
 
If next month's pension cheque will stretch to enough genuine M1913 Picatinny rails, I just might build a TACTICAL Cooey Model 39!

Wonder where I can get one of those 'way KOOOL M3 active IR sights.......

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The K98 action is THE action to use in a custom hunting rifle build. You could restore it, but since it's just an orphan action you can just as easily build a nice gun on it. I would NOT build a bargain basement rifle on it as you will be pissing your money away. A thrown together blaster will just be worth the action to the next buyer who will buy the gun to scrap your basement gunsmithing and use the bolt and receiver for something better.

If you want to go ahead with a custom, ask again over in the Gunsmithing forum. If you want to restore it, this is where you will get that sort of advice.
 
Once again Claven2 comes online with serious and practical advice that makes a LOT of sense. The 98 action was used on the commercial Brownings and on the best FN sporters for many years. There is even a Winchester 70-type safety available; makes running the safety esy WITH a scope.

Still think it would be fun to build a Tac COOEY, though! Green and brown camo duct tape and pieces of old sacking and a turret scope mount so you can select which sight you wanna use: the Shepherd, the 4th Gen Starlight, the Elcan or the passive IR. Have to get camo'd brass for it, too.....

Bipod, of course.

Plastic stock.

Ergonomic carbon-fibre pistol-grip with built-in water fountain for desert use.

Lotsa other goodies......
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smellie said:
Once again Claven2 comes online with serious and practical advice that makes a LOT of sense. The 98 action was used on the commercial Brownings and on the best FN sporters for many years. There is even a Winchester 70-type safety available; makes running the safety esy WITH a scope.

Still think it would be fun to build a Tac COOEY, though! Green and brown camo duct tape and pieces of old sacking and a turret scope mount so you can select which sight you wanna use: the Shepherd, the 4th Gen Starlight, the Elcan or the passive IR. Have to get camo'd brass for it, too.....

Bipod, of course.

Plastic stock.

Ergonomic carbon-fibre pistol-grip with built-in water fountain for desert use.

Lotsa other goodies......
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Click to expand...

Don't forget an extra beefy bayonet lug for the chainsaw.
 
Well, tactical weapons weighing 15 lbs is NOT my thing. My experience has been that those that do this, have never had to carry the real thing and are strictly wanna-be's. Nope, nothing tactical here. Black synth stocks are fine, but I like the clean look.

And the barn-burners were only used one season. I made 20 of them and still have 10 left. BTW, they were accurate enough to take two whitetail at 560yds. And, yes, i also believe that mid is better than max.
 
I've always played with the idea of taking an old milsurp with a burned out barrel and put a heavy target barrel on it. Most of the barrel would be hidden with the full wood ( the wood will need to be hollowed out a bit more)
It'd be a hoot to pull out an old Enfield or K98 at the range when all the fancy tacticool targeters are there and put 3 touching at a good distance. To see their faces when you out shoot them with what looks like an old Bubba with a fancy scope!
But that is just me dreaming again!
 
Truth is you can build yourself a fine hunting rifle with a 98 action. Any smith knows how to work with them. A veritable icon in the bolt action world. I have 3 in my safe. One started as a turkish mauser. I took it apart re-barrelled to 30/06 installed a nice synthetic stock scope bases and a new bent bolt handle. It shoots great and is my go to rifle. I also have a late war re furb from czech republic that wears a new wood stock and a set of peep sights. Still in 8mm and a great shooter as well. Go build your dream rifle.
 
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