I have 1 maybe 2 mod 98s with set back. Is anyone on this forum set up to correct the problem and follow thru the heat treat? Is it worth the exspense and effort?

On the one rifle I'm not sure about the set back as it occured right after I changed bolts and the new bolt face may not be perpendicular to the line of the bore.????? If this is the case is it worth fixing ? Neither is custom, but they are sporterized. thanks roger

Roger....you're a very experienced reloader and can easily modify the reloads to accommodate the longer cartridge that has been lengthened in the excess headspace......just don't full length resize them.

Here's my take on it.....if there truly is set back then that inner ring needs to be machined flush again.....easier said than done and while I haven't done it, I'd guess that the cost might run a "C" note......now refit the barrel to the action thusly modified.....add some more....heat treat....add another "C" note..(Blanchard charges $75) and your smith can't charge you less as there's shipping both ways...and his time to handle it.

Fixing the setback properly will run a minimum of #300.....is it worth it?????

If my mauser had setback I'd either live with it by reloading to suit.....or junk the action and replace it with a Zastava, post war FN or other good one.....I'm not at all in love with the Mil-surps that much.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

Here's my take on it.....if there truly is set back then that inner ring needs to be machined flush again......

It's not the inner ring that needs fixing it would be the lug seats. No matter how the fix is done you are correct that it will need to be sent out for the proper heat treatment.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Roger....you're a very experienced reloader and can easily modify the reloads to accommodate the longer cartridge that has been lengthened in the excess headspace......just don't full length resize them.

The problem is that once the rifle is fired the cases stretch and push back on the bolt so that when you go to open it you need a good bit of force in caming that case forward again. The locking lugs have created a nest into the action.That's the part that has to be machined. I was hoping someone here was set up and possibly did this as a steady diet. Day dreaming I guess. I think I'll just take my lumps and play with something else rather than put anything more into it. VD and poleax thanks for your replies, roger

I have often wondered why those lug seats could not be machined down and some pieces of very hard steel tig welded back on.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
The problem is that once the rifle is fired the cases stretch and push back on the bolt so that when you go to open it you need a good bit of force in caming that case forward again. The locking lugs have created a nest into the action.That's the part that has to be machined. I was hoping someone here was set up and possibly did this as a steady diet. Day dreaming I guess. I think I'll just take my lumps and play with something else rather than put anything more into it. VD and poleax thanks for your replies, roger

Roger...if the set back is that bad then you have to decide to fix it.....there's no other choice. If they was mine, I'd remove the barrels, scrap the actions (salvaging the bolts, triggers, safety etc) as it's cheaper to install a new Zastava to the old barrel and rebed to the old stock. For me that's a little time to spend as I can do it all myself. For someone that can't they'll spend less money to buy a used M-70 or other recognized mfr of rifle than buying a zastava, and selling the misc. parts from the action.

It's part of the risk one takes when using a mil-surp action.

Maybe we now know why the high dollar smiths always heat treat them.....they don't want them back with that problem.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bartsche:
Maybe we now know why the high dollar smiths always heat treat them.....they don't want them back with that problem.

That's a big 10-4. I bought the thing years ago as a rifle without a stock. I removed the old barrel and made it into a 22-250 never dreaming I might have a soft action. To compound the problem I ruined a bolt with one of my more dangerous tests. I replaced the bolt and the head space seemed OK, but checking head space with a gage does not detect set back. I now have a 22-250 that works fine at 22 hornet velocities. Ve grow Too soon auld und too late schmart. Ya? roger