The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

WardenWolf · January 30, 2014, 05:44 PM

The Turkish Mauser K. Kale design is referred to as large ring, small shank. That means that the receiver is functionally identical to and just as strong as a standard K98, but the barrel shank (the part that it screws in to the receiver) is smaller. What does this effectively mean? Well, the jury's still out. Theoretically it means the connection between the barrel and receiver is weaker since there's less "meat" on it. Whether it's enough to matter, though, is a good question.

I'd say .338 might be pushing it a bit. Also note that you would have to have the bolt face and other bits permanently modified to accept the magnum caliber, whereas non-magnum conversions will typically work with little or no action modification.

That said, Turkish Mausers are good guns as they are. They can often be found both with beautiful wood and bright barrels for right around $250. There's really no reason to rebarrel them from their existing 8mm caliber; it's easy enough to get, and more than powerful enough for any game in the lower 48.

January 30, 2014, 05:44 PM	#2
WardenWolf Junior member Join Date: December 12, 2013 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 135	The Turkish Mauser K. Kale design is referred to as large ring, small shank. That means that the receiver is functionally identical to and just as strong as a standard K98, but the barrel shank (the part that it screws in to the receiver) is smaller. What does this effectively mean? Well, the jury's still out. Theoretically it means the connection between the barrel and receiver is weaker since there's less "meat" on it. Whether it's enough to matter, though, is a good question. I'd say .338 might be pushing it a bit. Also note that you would have to have the bolt face and other bits permanently modified to accept the magnum caliber, whereas non-magnum conversions will typically work with little or no action modification. That said, Turkish Mausers are good guns as they are. They can often be found both with beautiful wood and bright barrels for right around $250. There's really no reason to rebarrel them from their existing 8mm caliber; it's easy enough to get, and more than powerful enough for any game in the lower 48.