The next custom an Oberndorf M98: What to chamber it in?

What to chamber the Oberndorf in?

  • Total voters
    233
Ardent said:
Stock’s coming along, sprayed with alcohol after the first hand sanding. Likely will have Duane Wiebe make 4+1 bottom metal for the .500 Jeff case.

HMU5lk5.jpg
Click to expand...

What a gorgeous peace of wood, I can't wait to see the end result.
 
Ardent said:
That’s a lot of cartridge for an M98, probably sounds strange saying that with what’s coming together here. I shied away from my favourite, well tied for favourite with 7x57, the .375 H&H after reading Kuhnhausen’s thoughts on stretched 98s. I have to acknowledge gunner8 is right in his earlier comments, at least from my current perspective. This said a modern steel M98, such as a zastava, can safely accommodate full length / .375 H&H based cartridges. The issue with original M98s is they’re mild carbon steel that is case hardened. Its strength comes in that it yields before it breaks, but with the feed ramp area being weakened then yielding and allowing the lower bolt lug support to set back, the strain goes to the much weaker top split bolt lug. Diameter of the cartridge is not an issue in the M98, it has a barrel tenon of 1.1”, more than the Model 70 at 1.0”, but length it doesn’t handle well. Plenty of .375s, .404s, and even .416 Rigbys have been built on M98s. But I no longer think I’d do it, .458 Win Mag however, absolutely! Full about face on the subject for me after researching it.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with case hardened actions .Just prep the action lugs and feed rails and send it in for nitriding,60 Rockwell C scale.
Incredibly tough and super smooth cycling.I do all my Brno zg47 actions as they are very soft.
cheers Gary
 
I too, was initially wondering where the 275 H&H was on your poll.
That 577 looks like a neat cartridge. Bet it won't hurt as much to shoot as my friend's 510 Wells. Now that's a handfull! Apparently I had to fire it a second time to ensure I never wanted to do that again! LOL
Was happy that both shots landed side by side at 100 yrds!
Very nice piece of wood! Love to see pics of your rifle posted when completed!
At one point I was considering a 495 A-Square, but went with the 416 Taylor instead, on a lh Ruger 77 action. Also did a 376 Steyr on another lh 77. Shoulder issues have made me appreciate less recoil over the past 15 years. 376 did a fine job on a bison! Need to use the 416 on the next one.
 
Last edited:
If you fancy a 458, go for it. Could I make a plea for you to consider a couple of other choices:

257 Roberts - Just a bit more in bullet weight choice for heavy bullets about 6mm

9.3x62 - Just a continental classic
 
Well, looks like I got to the party a bit late.

N'ertheless, a couple of observations:

It appears that your cartridge choice is darned close to the old .577 Tyrannosaur, for which brass, dies, &C. are relatively available on the commercial market, and;

good thing you decided against the .318 W.R. My Holland & Holland DeLuxe is chambered for that cartridge, although H & H, in their infinite wisdom, decided to call it the .318 Rimless Nitro Express. Simply cannot acknowledge another gun-maker now, can we! It has a 3.680" length magazine & .30-06 cartridges still have a very long gap in the front of the magazine. Apparently Mauser specified a 92mm magazine box length for the .318, the same as for the .333 Jeffery, 404 Jeffery and 9.3x64 Brenneke, versus the 88mm length for the .30-06 magazine box.

I wish I could remember the name of the German company that was, and perhaps still is, selling the drop magazine boxes and magazine box extensions seen on the old Westley Richards sporters, along with wood M98 bolt handles, cocking piece sights, and various other "proper" sporting Mauser accessories for gunmakers, but alas, a number of hard drive crashes rendered that goose cooked.
 
With that action and history, like mentioned before I would go with the 404 Jeffery.
I actually was having one built by Barry at bits of pieces which he failed miserably after a 8 year wait.
So I would go with the 458win or 318 just for the cool factor and history with that action.
 
My 1935 Oberndorf is chambered in 280 Improved 30 degree. Blueing by Nobby Uno. Fajen stock. Timney trigger. Blitzspring and light firing pin. Remington sights. Built by Bill Leeper.
 
500 Jeffries but you need someone that can build a reliable feeding rifle for the Jeffries. My second choice is 9.3x62, it will fit perfectly also.
You have already inletted for bottom metal !?!?
bb
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom