Is the metalurgy of this action up to 63000psi loads in 8X68S?

The front receiver seemed plenty hard when I tried to scribe a line on it.

I will have it Rocwelled, what would be the proper ranges for the receiver and the bolt?

It was made during a time that time meant the (possible) survival of a nation. Every single short cut that *could* be taken, was.

And some that worked in the factories were hoping that rifle would blow up and kill the German holding it.

I figure that's bad Karma.

[ 04-26-2003, 02:30: Message edited by: JBelk ]

WJ--

If you walked into my shop with that action and a barrel and a THOUSAND bucks to spend...you'd leave with all of it intact.

I have no control over what others do.

WJ-

You can buy a 1930's VZ24 with a cracked stock about anywhere for less than $70. Why take a chance?

Jack, are we talking about a BYF44 model 98 made for the 8x57 mauser cartridge or something else. I am not following.

Thanks.

[ 04-26-2003, 06:37: Message edited by: larrys ]

larrys--

Re: BYF44 M-98

Everyone has their prejudices and that's one of mine. I just don't deal with many 43, 44, or 45 marked M-98s. I've done a couple G33/40s but I prefer the pre-(both)wars actions. They're better made and *I* feel better using them.

I have seen a few of the C&R Russian captures (I have a 1939), they are pretty rough compared to the Czech VZ-24's.

The questions not whether it's rough. The question is whether it will hold together at 65K.

Wildcat, that is too bad, the VZ-24's I have are very nice indeed.

Well, according to jbelk, the M98 tends to "swell up" instead of "blow up" so I guess we'll have to see.

It seems that nobody can say for sure that it is a trash action, and since nobody seems to want to offer any information as to how to determine if it is, I guess I will proceed (with caution)

The weapon already is in a decent stock and has good sights. Other than opening up a 1904 Portuguese magazine and the reaming and opening up the bolt face I will have little invested over the original $150 and some time. If after thorough testing the piece is performing up to my expectations, I will do the bolt handle work 3 pos. safety, scope mounting etc. etc. First I just want to see if it works.

If this action fails, what type of failure will it be? Lug setback perhaps? I think it would take a real screw up to "grenade" it.

Case failure would probably be the worst case scenario, and that would yield about the same results in a VZ24 would it not?

Art S: I think 60kpsi is the realistic level I will be loading to if my information is correct.

Roger Rothchild: Maybe it's not that the VZ24s I've seen are so rough, maybe I got my hands on a real nice byf44.

Thanks for the input guys.

[ 04-26-2003, 23:31: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]

Wildcat,

Since this subject has come up repeatedly, I guess from now on I will have any m98 reheat treated by Blanchards. That way, at least you know.

Jack, thanks.

Roger beat me to it, I was about to suggest that you have the action re-heat treated, since that seems to be one of the big concerns about late war actions. Of course, I don't know how you'd tell if it had been over-cooked in the first place...

Re-heat treating by Blanchard's will run you $75, for the first action. $20 for each additional action. I wish there was some way that a few of us could pool actions, and bring our average cost down.

Todd