quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
I would not have a problem shooting a pre-98 Mauser with most "sane" cartridges. Even the Swift as long as the pressures were at a decent level and there was not an attempt to wring out every last f.p.s. Something along the lines of those mentioned, plus say the .250-3000 or along those lines.

The pracitcal benefit of a third lug has always been suspect in my mind. I do like the gas handling of the 98 better, but as has been said already in this thread, there are other actions that also handle it the same as a pre-98 and they get used all the time.

To keep it in context, Mr. Mauser was creating all of these actions in a time of great discovery and change in the world. "Modern" mettalurgy, smokeless powder, and even the drawn brass cartridge case were in their infancy and did not have all of the "kinks" worked out. Mauser was trying to secure large governmental contracts and each little detail could make the new model seem a little better than the "old" model (maybe only a year old) that a potential enemy may have.

In today's context of how much of a difference there really is between them all, I have no data but tend to think it is really not all that much. Millions of men and millions of head of game have been killed with the pre-98's, and continue to be so even today.

Is the 98 a little better than the earlier versions? Yes. Is it really enough to matter in a sporting arm that is shooting standard SAMMI ammo? Personally I doubt it.

I would love to see a true scientific test done on several generations of Mausers and see where they all failed. I am betting that the pre-98's would hold up well into the "red zone." But even if an exhausted test were conducted, many people would still not trust a pre-98 because they have read they are dangerous for so many years.

As for heat treating-many threads have been written on that with pro's and con's. I have heard so many times that the Spanish '96's are usually soft. But then I know many people who own them chambered in .308 and shoot SAMMI factory loads as well as hot handloads.

I have rebarrelled them for clients in the past and would do so again. I like my personal rifles to be built on 98's.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud W:
I built a .257R on a M93 in the late sixties and never had any headspace or other problems with it. Ackley maintained that he knew of many small-rings chambered for .243 & .308 and knew of no problems with them, altho I don't think I'd go that far and certainly not the Swift.

Bud W

Aut vincere aut mori

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Hey Recoil Rob I have one of those "Kimber" M96's in 6.5x55 with the Military barrel that has been re-contoured and a nickel plated reciever, bottom metal and bolt shroud with a Ramline stock and Beuhler safety.