Could I use a M98 action to build one or a Remington through their custom shop? I am taking my time to find the right action and dont want a Mannlicher action. Dont ask me why

Any good gunsmith capable of normal barreling jobs should be able to build one on a M'98 action for you. Whether the magazine would function properly is another question entirely.

Of course he might (probably would) have to do a bit of adjusting of the claw extractor, but that is normally no big deal. What might prove to be by far the most trouble would be making the slightly smaller diameter loaded brass stay down in the magazine and then feed one at a time reliably from it. That can be both tricky and expensive.

Personally, in this day and age I wouldn't bother. I'd just buy a nice .260 Remington and use that. But with enough money put behind it, a good gunsmith can build just about anything you want.
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IMHO 6,5x54 MS is very good caliber for m98 small ring action, eg. 33/40 or BRNO m21 or m22.

quote:

Originally posted by igorrock:
IMHO 6,5x54 MS is very good caliber for m98 small ring action, eg. 33/40 or BRNO m21 or m22.

Igorrock may just be right here....I have no first hand experience with this combination.....but the case is about the length of a .308 Winchester and about .020 smaller in diameter at the base....I'd sure be trying the cartridge in the Mauser action to see how it feeds before I invested a lot of cash in a build.....

IMO the 6.5 X 55 is a far more practical and far more experience is available with it in Mauser actions,

I'd be inclined to leave the M98 action alone. Opt for the Remmington, or perhaps a Tikka M55/ 595 or Sako75.

Jools do you think Remington or Sako could make the bolt face and other if any modifications to order?

I don't know what Jools thinks, but I think the chances are slim to absolutely none. The best bet would be to get a small head action (.223 size) and have a gunsmith open it up.

I have to agree with one of the above posts. Why in the world go to all this trouble when you can buy a 260 or 6.5x55? To me, the nostalgia factor lies with the action and rifle, not particularly the round. The rotary magazine and incredibly slick lightweight action are what made this legend. There were any number of similar 6.5 rounds at the time that did just as well. Without that, you are just going to end up with a very expensive custom rifle in a caliber most people won't have an interest in once divorced from the parent rifle. As rounds go, the 6.5x55 has a lot more charisma to most people.

I have several 98's in most all the calibers. I do not see any way they can be an inexpensive option over a factory built gun. But I still go that rout for enjoying the end product so much.
Careful, you may not be able to stop at just one.

quote:

The best bet would be to get a small head action (.223 size) and have a gunsmith open it up.

I have seen one done like that,Rem model 7, sako extracter, and worked like a charm.

It is remarkable how successful you can be when you have ignorance on your side. The second rifle I built in Gunsmith School (TSJC) was a 6.5x54MS. The instructors didn't seem to think it a bad idea nor did any of myfellow students so I bought a new FN Mauser action and obtained a barrel. I then ordered reamers from a shop in Raton,NM that made reamers of excellant quality. (recently gave them to a friend) I ordered a full set,rougher,finisher,throater and sizer. I am looking at the empty case I used to headspace the chamber. It is and unmarked case. It has a 160gr RN solid in it. I built the rifle ,did not modify the extractor,magazine or anything and it fed and shot perfectly. I also made the dies to load for it as loaded ammo was rare in 1953. Shot beautifully ,I might add.Just shows what you can do if no one says you can't. Funny thing is we didn't know back the we were supposed to have all these problems and for some ungodly reason we seemed not to. Couldn't help responding.

What is the problem with the Manlicher action?

If you want to go with a Mauser action have you considered the 6.5x54 Mauser / 6.5x57 or the 6.5x55 for standard Mauser 98 and 96 models and there is still the 6.5x58 Portuguese of the Mauser -Vergueiro (split bridge)

For the 6.5x54MS I go with Manlicher action fits together.

The Manlicher case of the 6.5 is at least 0.5mm smaller (Diameter) then the Mauser cases but sure can be done on a mauser.

Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by lal:
Jools do you think Remington or Sako could make the bolt face and other if any modifications to order?

Get Pacific Tool and Gauge to make you a bolt for the 700 Remington length you want to hassle with. The short is abit short and will need the back of the magazine moved. The Long 700 is way too long but PTG can make the bolt face work.

If you have the money you can dig up a K Mauser originally chambered for the .35 Reminton - which had the same size head.....

I built a neat little Mex 98 into the 6.5x54 MS round many years ago and it functioned fine with little to nothing in the way of feeding issues or extraction. Great cartridge. I would use a "short" action if possible. Good Luck.
Aloha, Mark

I made up one for a guy a few years ago on a Howa short action. Guess he only wanted to shoot the 100-120 or lighter as he used a short actioned in 223 for the platform. Opened up the bolt to the MS, worked a little on the extractor and it worked fine.
Aloha, Mark

I built one on an old 110 Savage action. Works like a charm.

Mannlicher actions are a little harder to mount a scope on. I recently built a 7x57 on that action and found an old retired gunsmith in Missouri that makes the old Redfield type mount for the Mannlicher.

SR4759 is right about too short and too long of an action. I think that same problem exists with Remington's rifles in 6mm Rem.