Mike375,

I keep seeing you make references to the need for "quality ammunition in the correct size." Do you sir prefer cheap ammuntion of sub-par quality and incorrect size for your firearms? If so, why?

I'm sure you're a reloader, as am I. The one thing we both know is that all but the shittiest components out there are manufactured to the correct specification and really the only time you have to get uber specific with a case is when loading from a high-dollar ultra accurate firearm that is custom made for competition. (And even then I don't know.) My Norma cases shoot as well as my Winchester cases and my Mauser(s) love both. There is quite a descrepency in price between them and yet they both work. Really, the only cases I've had trouble with were S&B 7.62x54rs and they sucked so terribly my Mosins refused them (which are a push feed by the way). I have since shitcanned the majority of them. The one thing I can tell you is that all my reloaded cases are of proper length, size, etc. regardless of whether I'm sitting at the bench with a Remington or chasing hogs through the river bottoms with a Mauser. I simply refuse to take a lacadaisical or cheap approach to my shooting hobby. As much as it costs, why half ass it?

Now then, although I could have anything I wanted to build in the way of rifles, I prefer Mauser actions as a basis for a custom. Cost is only one factor I look at and I'd rather be patient and build a little at a time because at least I know I'm getting exactly what I want. Truthfully, I have been mentored by a couple good gunsmiths to believe in the virtues of an action that works everytime, despite adversity, is truly reliable, and feeds like greased lightning. I also dig the more classic cartridges and shy away from short action magnums. As such, I like a Mauser that is designed and custom crafted to feed a specific cartridge - and if necessary, a good enough 'smtih can make them feed blunt nosed bullets if you need your rifle to do so. Furthermore, my friend z1r has shown me the virtures of a true mathmatically correct magazine box as a means to hold the maximum amount of ammuntion and feed reliably. Truthfully, no other rifle I've ever examined fed as good when working the bolt both fast and slow as a Mauser. And I've never, ever had a Mauser double feed on me.

Since we're discussing the virtues of feeding, I have personally witnessed a Remington double feed do to the shooter's sudden case of buck fever. By the time the stoppage was cleared, the deer was close to the next county. With this luck on non-dangerous game, you'd have me standing tall before a buffalo or elephant? No thank you sir - I'm too young to die for something as silly as an error wrought by mass production. I'll gladly fight a war with a Mauser though...

Just my $.02.

Tex

Tex,

I would back a vertical stack centre line feed push feed against a staggered feed Mauser any day and especially with calibres like 458 Win/Lott with blunt bullets.

Mike

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hahaha what a thread ! i blame it on all of you that i now hunt only with crf mauser actioned rifles and am much happier knowing that my rifle actions are true classics.

currently hunting with a 30-06 commercial mauser action (probably yugo) and a CZ550 416 rigby

mauser actions rule!
tm

Nice post.
I have been persecuted for my affinity for the M98 in the past. I was almost thrown out of a gunshop for casually mentioning that I would prefer one Mauser 98 action to a pickup truck load of Enfield 17s. The owner as you might guess was a Enfield fan. I have always had the knack for putting my foot in my mouth. May have done it here????? Have done it here, what am I thinking?

quote:

May have done it here????? Have done it here, what am I thinking?

Not with me, I never liked Enfields. Back in the day there weren't any really big actions and a lot of big bore and long cartridge rifles were built on them cause it was one of the very few real options available. I didn't like them then, and don't like them now, big and clunky with poor lines comes immediately to mind when I think of an Enfield. I have seen some with a ton of work done to them cleaned up to OK, but I will still take a mauser 98 anyday. My opinion and my money. If you have a Enfield and like it its your money and I certainly won't criticise your selection, but they definately aren't for me.

The 98 has been much copied (that's why we paid uncle paul for every 03 springfield we made) but never improved. The model 70 is poor copy of both the springfield and the 98. Cry all you want, but the 98 is still tops in my book. bill439

well put!

btw... nice beginning to this post!

I will have to admit that the 98 is the best bolt action ever devised and that covers the trigger and safety as well. I have had Timney (aluminum) and Diestler (steel) replacement triggers with great pulls break on me. The Diestler trigger broke on my 09 Arg 338-06 right before my deer/pig hunt 2 weeks ago. I stoned the sear on a military trigger as well as the cocking piece bearing surface and damn near took the first stage out of it. That trigger breaks at 5 lbs. I'll bet it will never break! As for the safety, how many aftermarket types have you tried to install that needed extensive fitting? I look forward to a backup big bore in the classic style built on a standard 98 with original parts. You can't go wrong.