has anyone got any information on shortning a mauser 98 action.

Use the "search" feature here, it was discussed a while ago.

jpruett---

I've done them for thirty years. What do you want to know?

where is the best place to cut the receiver-is .750 shorter the normal-what is the best way to cut it in a lathe or abrasive wheel then face off in lathe

jpruett---

I've always cut them with a hacksaw through the thumbslot and grind the action back until the tang screw holes are the proper "K" length. (That depends on who's bottom metal you use.) 5/8" reduction is normal. That makes the action 8 1/8 inches long, total.
The two halves are then bolted to the welding block and TIG welded together. It results in an action that has no thumb slot but there is a certain amount of filling needed at the top to attain it.

I see no way, or need, to face the halves in the lathe. There should be a gap of .020 or so between halves and a generous "J" groove for the filler rod on both sides of the action.

[ 10-10-2002, 01:31: Message edited by: JBelk ]

I found this. Put the receiver on a mandrel with a lathe dog & cut almost all the way through. finish cutting through with a good hack saw blade.


[ 10-10-2002, 04:26: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

I once took 2 K98's and cut them at different places so as to make one long and one short. I used the method that Bear Claw pictured above. As of today I have the actions ready but no finished bottom metal. It was not as difficult as it seems.Mark

A book called
"The Gun Digest Book of RIFLESMITHING, The Art and Science of Rifle Gunsmithing"
by Jack Mitchell

has a chapter dedicated to shortening the action, but it was done on a classic Winchster 70.

Pyrotek

I'd bet dollars to donuts that the picture posted by Bear Claw is from the Mitchell book. It sure looks familiar.

Jack - if you are still reading this - any thoughts on welding up bolt faces and extractors for smaller diameter cartridges ? I've got a notion to shorten a 96 Swede and chamber it for .308x39

Regards,
Scott

one in the same

A gunsmith north of Houston that I use on occasion had a neat mannlicher stocked, 20" barrelled "cut" 98 in 250 Savage sent to him for sight replacement. What a beauty...my dream rifle. Jack, what's the cost to do the "chop and channel" of a 98 action and magazine/floor plate?