Mauser Guru's

Widowmaker · Oct 28, 2015

There is a Mauser 98 for sale on another site, it's a sporterized 30-06. I have zero knowledge about these rifles and google searching is making me scratch my head. I'll attach the pictures I have.

JimFromTN · Oct 28, 2015

Mauser actions are great actions. They are very strong. A large ring mauser action can handle the pressures of a 30/06 with no problem. Almost all of your modern day bolt actions are modeled after the mauser and mauser actions are still made commercially. The Howa action for instance, is a mauser action. Another positive is that you can get aftermarket triggers and stocks for them. That being said, the rifle is only as good as the gunsmith who sporterized it and the quality of the barrel used which is pretty much true of any customized rifle. I have seen some of the custom mausers go for in the thousands of dollars depending on who the gunsmith was who built it. Depending on the price, I would not hesitate to buy it. The question is, how much are they are asking? Typically, mausers like that range anywhere from $350 to $450.

Dover_Mike · Oct 28, 2015

Any idea of what barrel is on it? Like Jim said, they are only as good as the smith that sporterized them. I have 3 98's and they all shoot very well but, I know the smith that did the work and I ordered the barrels. I would find out what kind of barrel is on it, and what kind of markings are on it. Can usually tell the history of a 98 by the markings on the rcvr. That one has Gew on it which usually stands for Gewehr (Gewehr was the main German Infantry rifle for a very long time). Only problem with the gew98's is a lot of them were sold to Turkey, Brazil, whatever country would buy them after the war and who knows what happened there. I am with Jim on the price, I bought my last 98 action for around $75-$100 if I remember correctly. How much money is the guy asking?

tsc · Oct 28, 2015

My dad did one in the 60's, back then you could buy them mail order for next to nothing(after he died in 1990 I found a receipt for a surplus 1911 Colt for $11:50!)
He left the 8mm barrel on it,cut and crowned the barrel,welded an sporter bolt handle on and that was about it,maybe he had it reblued. I know alot of dangerous game guides use that action cause it feeds and functions when their life depends on it. I never saw him use it,he was a 06 Model 70 dude. The prewar German actions are excellent, some of the wartime made ones made in occupied countries with slave labor were 2nd class. Yours looks like a German one. Some of the Cech made ones have Cech coat of arms type emblem stamped on the topside of the ring. Make sure the bolt and receiver numbers match.

Widowmaker · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for the tips!! The seller is supposed to be sending me some more pictures of the markings on the barrel, etc. I will post them as soon as I get them. Seller is asking 225. I'm now wondering if that is too cheap?

JimFromTN · Oct 29, 2015

Unless the receiver has a crack in it or something, buy it. A complete drilled and tapped receiver with a bent bolt is worth that alone. If you don't want it, I'll take it.

Widowmaker · Oct 29, 2015

Looks like I'll be getting a new addition to the family. Jim, anything I need to watch out for when buying a stock? Id like to take the wood one off and put a composite on.

JimFromTN · Oct 29, 2015

Not that I can really think of. Boyds makes some nice laminate stocks for it which they sometimes have on sale for around $80. I think Fajen makes a composite for it as well. Google it. There are lots of options. There are some aftermarket triggers for it where you replace the entire trigger group. Some come with the Remington 700 style safety and you will have to modify the stock a little to accommodate the safety on the side which is no big deal.

Dover_Mike · Oct 29, 2015

I recommend a boyds stock for a 98. very good quality. I will post a picture of my M98 30-06, dura coated and dressed with a boyds stock when I get home. hard to beat for $100. You can drop a Timney Deluxe or even a Bold trigger in there easily too.

JimFromTN · Oct 29, 2015

I have a 8mm mauser with a boyds laminate stock and the Bold trigger with the safety sold by boyds. The trigger makes all the difference in the world and the Bold is only around $40 and you can set it from 2 to 4 pounds. I think mine is set at around 3 lbs.

Widowmaker · Oct 29, 2015

Awesome. I love the look of a nice wood stock, but I hate hunting with them. I have a can of Coyote Tan Duracoat I picked up in the bargain bin at the NRA show. May have to try that out as well. Thanks again for all your help. I'll put some pics up when I get it.

Widowmaker · Oct 29, 2015

The date on the first pic is 1916

Dover_Mike · Oct 30, 2015

Cool gun, I would definitely give him the money that he is asking for it. That one has not had the safety moved. Could be a little hard if you wanted to run a scope on it. Almost any gunsmith could move that safety and, you can buy a Timney deluxe with a side safety or a Bold with a side safety at a very good price.

Widowmaker · Oct 30, 2015

I was more than likely going to drop a trigger in it regardless, have been leaning towards the Bold just because of the price. I found them on Midway for less than $50. My goal is to make a pretty decent quality hunting rifle for under $450. I have a 3x9x40 Tasco World Class laying around and I believe this is the rifle for it.

JimFromTN · Oct 30, 2015

I would recommend the Bold with the safety. You will have to modify the stock a little to accommodate the safety but you can leave the original safety off and use the safety on the trigger. That way you don't have to worry about the safety hitting the scope. Also, the safety of the Bold trigger is allot more friendly for hunting. You can flick it off with your thumb right before you are ready to shoot.

Dover_Mike · Oct 30, 2015

Jim is right, the Bolds are great hunting triggers. Like he said, you will just have to alter the stock a touch to get the safety to drop in. Nothing a drimmel tool cant do. Congrats on the gun!