What is the largest cartridge that will fit in a standard mauser 98,without lenghening the action?Would a 425 WR fit and how hard is it to get brass?Also would the 500 jeffery fit?Any ideas
thanks

Ruling out any strange wildcats. The largest cartridge is the 425 Westley Richards. It has a COL of 3.34" and will fit in many unmodified Mauser M98 actions. The 500 Jeffery and 585 Nyati both require the lengthening and widening (in the case of a staggered magazine)of the action to fit their bulks. Of course if you are using comercial mauser actions, say ones chambered for 375 H&H, then you can fit the lengths of the 500 Jeffery and 585 Nyati, but still need to do something about width of the action to deal with their girth.

Scott

How "big" do you want to go?
I recomend looking hard at the 416 taylor. It's an excellent cartridge, and it requires only to open up the bolt/extractor, and the feed rails just a little bit.
If your working within a budget, you'll get a lot more value with a 416 Taylor than most other calibers because the smith can do more work within that budget. "Parts, and Labor" is the name of the game. Less money for parts means more for labor within any given budget. I have make lots of 416 Taylors, and I can give more value to the customer with that shell than most other "big" shells. Better wood/ better checkering/ more engraving/ better sight....The customer gets to choose. You get the picture.
Good hunting

Howdy...
just about anything can be made to fit, from the 3.65" rounds down...

The problem is the mag, feeding, and capacity of rounds...

unless one is willing to spend loads of money for a custom mag, round choice is limited. For example.. it would be remotely possible (it was done) for a 500 jeffe to have 2 rounds down and one in the pipe... I believe the same to be said for 460 weatherby based rounds.

RNS has developed a 550 magnum, based off the weatherby case, and has been looking at a 2.5" case variant.. I'll be looking at dummies and trying to determine what would have to be done to make this fit and function in a 98.

So, back to your question, without HUGE mods, what's the biggest?
470 capstick /458lott/416 rem require loads of work
458 win, 404 jeffe, 416 taylor, 376 steyr -- still require work, but not major mods

the westley richards is a nightmare to get to feed and get brass.. and the power level is just right there with the 404 jeffe and the 416 taylor.

jeffe

You and RNS have hit on the perfect case for Mausers with
the short 550Mag.Simple, straight, and easy to get to feed, easy to get brass for, and great power.Ed.

I've been curious about this myself. Is the .416 Taylor the same as a .416-338WM? and is brass available with the proper headstamp for the Taylor?

Just what I need, a new project.


Rick

Rick,
yes... yes..

quality cartridge makes it..

jeffe

Weeeelllll, there's that .450 wildcat that Guns and Ammo built up on the .404 case. I think they called it the .460 G&A. I suspect that the easiest way to go is the .404 but I don't whittle on actions much so don't take my word for it. Practically? What about the 9.3x64? That should be the easiest big bore and the ballistics are so close to the .375 that no animal could tell the difference. Some even allow as it might be better . And if you can duplicate the .375, what else do you need?
Like I say . . .

Jeff Cooper writes quite a bit about the 460 G&A. I think it needs a 375-length action. Craig Boddington briefly mentions a 460 G&A short that's made specifically for the 30-06 length action, but I can't remember whether it's in Safari Rifles or American Hunting Rifles.

I think I read something about rechambering 458s for this, but you might need to rebarrel.

Hope this helps, Okie John

I agree with Old Sarge and that's what I am doing on a 98/22 action. I have a 64 on a CZ action, but want one on a real 98. The 8x57 mag box is just a tad short, but opening it up to '06 length shouldn't be too difficult. I am looking for hinged bottom metal in '06 length if any one has such.