Issues with k98 mauser

MasterBlaster357 · September 4, 2018, 08:18 PM

Howdy fellas, got an all-matching S/N k98 mauser. Gun is in exceptionally good shape. (Except it won't shoot, lol) It looks to me like the bolt face has been altered. (Possibly chamber as well) Firing pin is striking as it should, yet the cartridges seem to go just barely too far into the chamber. The bolt face and extractor seem to have been modified to accomodate a rimmed cartridge. A .410 shell will fit perfectly into the bolt face/extractor - but the brass will not fit into the chamber. The chamber seems to fit the 8mm rounds in terms of diameter, but as I said they seem to go a little too far in and the bolt face/extractor is too big to grab on to em.

I'm wondering if it would shoot a .30-.30.

big al hunter · September 4, 2018, 08:39 PM

Sounds like someone modified it and didn't stamp the changes into the barrel. Take it to a gunsmith and have the chamber cast to see what it is actually chambered for.

jonnyc · September 4, 2018, 09:28 PM

Ditto! Don't play musical cartridges, let a qualified 'smith determine the caliber.

**44 AMP** · September 4, 2018, 09:29 PM

get a chamber cast done and measured to determine what the chamber is now. DO NOT shoot the rifle or TRY to shoot the rifle until after you have done this and can be reasonably sure what ammo is the proper fit.

DO NOT try a .30-30 round "to see if it works".

There have been a lot of 98 Mausers made, and remade in a huge amount of variations. Civilian and military. What are the markings on the gun? Good clear pictures would help.

MasterBlaster357 · September 4, 2018, 09:59 PM

It's a German k98. SS gun(not sure if that makes it special). My granddad brought it back from the war. I'll post some pics

eastbank · September 5, 2018, 03:20 AM

might be one of the 8 mm rimmed target rifle cartiges

T. O'Heir · September 5, 2018, 02:38 PM

"...shoot a .30-.30..." Highly unlikely. Slug the barrel(hammer a cast .30 cal bullet or suitably sized lead fishing sinker through the barrel from the chamber end with a 1/4" brass rod and a plastic mallet and measure with a micrometer.) to determine the calibre and have or do a chamber cast.
An 8mm Mauser round is 3.228" long and uses a .323" bullet. A .30-30 uses a .308" bullet and its Max OAL is 2.550".
"...A .410 shell will..." It makes no difference whatever what a .410 shell will do.
"...not sure if that makes it special..." Probably isn't anyway, but it still makes no difference for shooting.

September 4, 2018, 08:18 PM	#1
MasterBlaster357 Junior Member Join Date: September 3, 2018 Posts: 2	Issues with k98 mauser Howdy fellas, got an all-matching S/N k98 mauser. Gun is in exceptionally good shape. (Except it won't shoot, lol) It looks to me like the bolt face has been altered. (Possibly chamber as well) Firing pin is striking as it should, yet the cartridges seem to go just barely too far into the chamber. The bolt face and extractor seem to have been modified to accomodate a rimmed cartridge. A .410 shell will fit perfectly into the bolt face/extractor - but the brass will not fit into the chamber. The chamber seems to fit the 8mm rounds in terms of diameter, but as I said they seem to go a little too far in and the bolt face/extractor is too big to grab on to em. I'm wondering if it would shoot a .30-.30.

September 4, 2018, 08:39 PM	#2
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Sounds like someone modified it and didn't stamp the changes into the barrel. Take it to a gunsmith and have the chamber cast to see what it is actually chambered for. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

September 4, 2018, 09:28 PM	#3
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Ditto! Don't play musical cartridges, let a qualified 'smith determine the caliber. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

September 4, 2018, 09:29 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,795	Welcome to tfl! get a chamber cast done and measured to determine what the chamber is now. DO NOT shoot the rifle or TRY to shoot the rifle until after you have done this and can be reasonably sure what ammo is the proper fit. DO NOT try a .30-30 round "to see if it works". There have been a lot of 98 Mausers made, and remade in a huge amount of variations. Civilian and military. What are the markings on the gun? Good clear pictures would help. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 5, 2018, 02:38 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...shoot a .30-.30..." Highly unlikely. Slug the barrel(hammer a cast .30 cal bullet or suitably sized lead fishing sinker through the barrel from the chamber end with a 1/4" brass rod and a plastic mallet and measure with a micrometer.) to determine the calibre and have or do a chamber cast. An 8mm Mauser round is 3.228" long and uses a .323" bullet. A .30-30 uses a .308" bullet and its Max OAL is 2.550". "...A .410 shell will..." It makes no difference whatever what a .410 shell will do. "...not sure if that makes it special..." Probably isn't anyway, but it still makes no difference for shooting. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 4, 2018, 09:59 PM	#5
MasterBlaster357 Junior Member Join Date: September 3, 2018 Posts: 2	It's a German k98. SS gun(not sure if that makes it special). My granddad brought it back from the war. I'll post some pics

September 5, 2018, 03:20 AM	#6
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	might be one of the 8 mm rimmed target rifle cartiges

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search