Mauser actions

unforgiven · August 26, 2000, 02:30 PM

Which Mauser actions are suitable for rebarreling? Is the Turkish 38 in 8X57 a good cantidate? or is a persian or Chech a better choice? Where does one find quality barrels? What is the biggest caliber that would be safe to use?
Thank you in advance.

beemerb · August 26, 2000, 10:06 PM

Can answer part of your question.Leave the turk ones alone.Friend bought one and had to have it reheat treated.Too soft.The Check is good and the swedish is the best.

------------------
Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

Badger Arms · August 26, 2000, 11:00 PM

Best choice today is one of the Czech VZ-24's. They can be had wholesale with a cracked stock for around $50 right now. You'll have to bend the bolt handle, but otherwise they are sound, stout rifles. I bought three and kept two. I wanted to shoot them all and keep the best. Once I shot them all, I had a hard time parting with even one. I think they are fine as they are but, then again, I reload.

James K · August 26, 2000, 11:15 PM

Presumably the Czech action being discussed is the Vz24 (Vzor = Model). It is an 1898 Mauser action, the best and strongest. Prseumably the Swedish action being discussed is the Model 1894/1896, which is the older Mauser action and is not as strong as the 1898 action. The Swedish rifles are very nice and well made, but I would not take one over a Vz24 all other things being equal.

Jim

Clark · August 27, 2000, 12:02 AM

I bought allot of Turks for $54 before I read Kuenhausen's book on Mausers. Now I spend $76 for VZ24s. The Czecks are worth the extra money for rebarreling. They are hard [heat treated]and they have the right threads [large ring barrel threads].

Herodotus · August 27, 2000, 12:12 AM

Some custom gunsmiths feel it is wise to reheat treat any action they are customizing. Others do not.
There should be no difference in heat treatment between Czech and Turkish Mausers. The Turks were made in Germany, not Turkey. The Czechs had nothing on the Germans in this respect, in fact they bought their technology from the Germans.

Badger Arms · August 27, 2000, 01:10 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Herodotus:
The Czechs had nothing on the Germans in this respect, in fact they bought their technology from the Germans.[/quote]

Bite thy tongue, heathen. In truth, the Germans invaded and seized much of their technology from the Prussians, Austrians, and Czechs (does anybody get this?). Remember that Germany and the Czech Republic share a great deal of history and interaction. They both have quite the history of firearms manufacture and I'd place them both in the same category with respect to Mauser 98 actions.

George Stringer · August 28, 2000, 08:30 AM

Unforgiven, I too, would recommend the VZ-24 but the 03 and 38 Turks are large ring standard 98 Mausers made in Europe. Some were reworked by the Turks but they made none of their own. Most were made in Germany but some by Brno and some in Yugoslavia. I've rebarreled a bunch of these actions with no problems. The basic difference is that while they are large ring in size the barrel shank is the same size as a small ring 93 or 95 Mauser. But that is nominal. Measure your old shank before you buy a prethreaded barrel. George

[This message has been edited by George Stringer (edited August 28, 2000).]

shortround73 · August 28, 2000, 07:44 PM

Are any of you familiar with Century Arms? I have a .270 by them. The dealer that i purchased it from said it was a sporterized 98K. Would like to trace history on the action. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

George Stringer · August 28, 2000, 10:11 PM

Shortround, if you can describe the markings on the receiver maybe we can shed some light on it's history. George

beemerb · August 28, 2000, 10:22 PM

The rifle that is being built on reheated turk action is being built in Fred Wells shop.They checked the hardness and said it had to be heat treated,too soft.Another friend that builds a lot of 1/4 min angle rifles said the 6.5x55 action is the best one of the three.
I do trust these people and Fred has been in the bus longer then most people have been alive.

------------------
Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

shortround73 · August 29, 2000, 08:58 PM

George, I've tried doing that on the Harley Nolden forum w/minimal results but I'll give it one more shot. Here ya go.

On the back of the safety it has Mark II.

On the underside of the bolt its crudely engraved 11XX.

On the bolt release it has a46

On the action it has B 11XX B
Nn

Ok here on the recoil lug 3 o 5 3

and towards the action on the underside the stamps are randomly stamped. I tried reading them the best i could.

E
O
W
y x
V

I hope this didnt confuse you.

zot · August 29, 2000, 09:32 PM

I think the CZ or VZ checs are the best for building, but no one answered Unforgivens post on what is the biggest caliber that can be chambered in a strong 98 action?could a
.458 mag?

George Stringer · August 30, 2000, 07:21 AM

Shortround, the safety is an aftermarket Dayton-Traister. The proof marks don't help me. They might someone else but I was hoping there might be a date on the receiver as well as markings on the left side of it. Kuhnhausen's Shop Manual might help you to identify it. It's available from Brownells. www.brownells.com

98 Mausers have been chambered for just about every cartridge out there. .375H&H, .416 Taylor, .458 Rem Mag etc. George

[This message has been edited by George Stringer (edited August 30, 2000).]

unforgiven · August 30, 2000, 06:20 PM

Thank you for all the replies!

I would still like to know what barrel's you would recommend and where to get them i have seen (lost the url) them for65$ up to 300$, and would like to know what differences there is between them!
Thanks again!!

shortround73 · August 30, 2000, 08:07 PM

thanks George. Hopefully the book will help me.

James K · August 30, 2000, 10:31 PM

Hi, Shortround73,

The B 11xx B is the serial number of the rifle. The 11xx electric pencilled on the bolt is the result of a bolt replacement. The new bolt had a different serial number so the old number was removed and the new number electric pencilled on so it would again match the receiver. Presumably, headspace and fit were checked at that time.

The other numbers, except for the trigger, are various inspection marks, probably from the original factory.

Jim

shortround73 · August 30, 2000, 11:36 PM

So I guess that Century Arms just rebuilt the actions from various parts in order to resale them. Thanks for the help guys.

August 26, 2000, 02:30 PM	#1
unforgiven Member Join Date: August 25, 2000 Posts: 21	Which Mauser actions are suitable for rebarreling? Is the Turkish 38 in 8X57 a good cantidate? or is a persian or Chech a better choice? Where does one find quality barrels? What is the biggest caliber that would be safe to use? Thank you in advance.

August 26, 2000, 10:06 PM	#2
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Can answer part of your question.Leave the turk ones alone.Friend bought one and had to have it reheat treated.Too soft.The Check is good and the swedish is the best. ------------------ Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

August 26, 2000, 11:00 PM	#3
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	Best choice today is one of the Czech VZ-24's. They can be had wholesale with a cracked stock for around $50 right now. You'll have to bend the bolt handle, but otherwise they are sound, stout rifles. I bought three and kept two. I wanted to shoot them all and keep the best. Once I shot them all, I had a hard time parting with even one. I think they are fine as they are but, then again, I reload.

August 26, 2000, 11:15 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Presumably the Czech action being discussed is the Vz24 (Vzor = Model). It is an 1898 Mauser action, the best and strongest. Prseumably the Swedish action being discussed is the Model 1894/1896, which is the older Mauser action and is not as strong as the 1898 action. The Swedish rifles are very nice and well made, but I would not take one over a Vz24 all other things being equal. Jim

August 27, 2000, 12:02 AM	#5
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I bought allot of Turks for $54 before I read Kuenhausen's book on Mausers. Now I spend $76 for VZ24s. The Czecks are worth the extra money for rebarreling. They are hard [heat treated]and they have the right threads [large ring barrel threads].

August 27, 2000, 12:12 AM	#6
Herodotus Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Posts: 743	Some custom gunsmiths feel it is wise to reheat treat any action they are customizing. Others do not. There should be no difference in heat treatment between Czech and Turkish Mausers. The Turks were made in Germany, not Turkey. The Czechs had nothing on the Germans in this respect, in fact they bought their technology from the Germans.

August 27, 2000, 01:10 AM	#7
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Herodotus: The Czechs had nothing on the Germans in this respect, in fact they bought their technology from the Germans.[/quote] Bite thy tongue, heathen. In truth, the Germans invaded and seized much of their technology from the Prussians, Austrians, and Czechs (does anybody get this?). Remember that Germany and the Czech Republic share a great deal of history and interaction. They both have quite the history of firearms manufacture and I'd place them both in the same category with respect to Mauser 98 actions.

August 28, 2000, 08:30 AM	#8
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Unforgiven, I too, would recommend the VZ-24 but the 03 and 38 Turks are large ring standard 98 Mausers made in Europe. Some were reworked by the Turks but they made none of their own. Most were made in Germany but some by Brno and some in Yugoslavia. I've rebarreled a bunch of these actions with no problems. The basic difference is that while they are large ring in size the barrel shank is the same size as a small ring 93 or 95 Mauser. But that is nominal. Measure your old shank before you buy a prethreaded barrel. George [This message has been edited by George Stringer (edited August 28, 2000).]

August 28, 2000, 07:44 PM	#9
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	Are any of you familiar with Century Arms? I have a .270 by them. The dealer that i purchased it from said it was a sporterized 98K. Would like to trace history on the action. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

August 28, 2000, 10:11 PM	#10
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Shortround, if you can describe the markings on the receiver maybe we can shed some light on it's history. George

August 28, 2000, 10:22 PM	#11
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	The rifle that is being built on reheated turk action is being built in Fred Wells shop.They checked the hardness and said it had to be heat treated,too soft.Another friend that builds a lot of 1/4 min angle rifles said the 6.5x55 action is the best one of the three. I do trust these people and Fred has been in the bus longer then most people have been alive. ------------------ Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

August 29, 2000, 08:58 PM	#12
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	George, I've tried doing that on the Harley Nolden forum w/minimal results but I'll give it one more shot. Here ya go. On the back of the safety it has Mark II. On the underside of the bolt its crudely engraved 11XX. On the bolt release it has a46 On the action it has B 11XX B Nn Ok here on the recoil lug 3 o 5 3 and towards the action on the underside the stamps are randomly stamped. I tried reading them the best i could. E O W y x V I hope this didnt confuse you.

August 29, 2000, 09:32 PM	#13
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	I think the CZ or VZ checs are the best for building, but no one answered Unforgivens post on what is the biggest caliber that can be chambered in a strong 98 action?could a .458 mag?

August 30, 2000, 07:21 AM	#14
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Shortround, the safety is an aftermarket Dayton-Traister. The proof marks don't help me. They might someone else but I was hoping there might be a date on the receiver as well as markings on the left side of it. Kuhnhausen's Shop Manual might help you to identify it. It's available from Brownells. www.brownells.com 98 Mausers have been chambered for just about every cartridge out there. .375H&H, .416 Taylor, .458 Rem Mag etc. George [This message has been edited by George Stringer (edited August 30, 2000).]

August 30, 2000, 06:20 PM	#15
unforgiven Member Join Date: August 25, 2000 Posts: 21	Thank you for all the replies! I would still like to know what barrel's you would recommend and where to get them i have seen (lost the url) them for65$ up to 300$, and would like to know what differences there is between them! Thanks again!!

August 30, 2000, 08:07 PM	#16
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	thanks George. Hopefully the book will help me.

August 30, 2000, 10:31 PM	#17
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Shortround73, The B 11xx B is the serial number of the rifle. The 11xx electric pencilled on the bolt is the result of a bolt replacement. The new bolt had a different serial number so the old number was removed and the new number electric pencilled on so it would again match the receiver. Presumably, headspace and fit were checked at that time. The other numbers, except for the trigger, are various inspection marks, probably from the original factory. Jim

August 30, 2000, 11:36 PM	#18
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	So I guess that Century Arms just rebuilt the actions from various parts in order to resale them. Thanks for the help guys.