I have a M 54 Mexican Mauser chambered in .30-06. Can I get some opinions on the viability of re-chambering it to .308 Norma mag or .300 Winchester mag. I'm not too concerned about feeding or magazine size. Rather I'm thinking about the fact this is a small ring 98 with a military barrel.

I don't see why not, if the barrel is in good shape. I have two of these, and have still not decided what to do with them. They are a 98, so there really shouldn't be a problem. I would go easy on the handloads though, once you go over pressure on it, there's no going back. I've seen small ring 96's chambered for 308 and 22-250, so if they will handle those pressures, a small ring 98 shouldn't have a problem with 308 Norma. - Dan

The Mexican M-54 is a short action (7x57) large ring has a cocking piece like a springfield, and it is pretty crude by Mauser standards..It was made in a Mexican arsenal by Mexican labor with Mexican bosses, and not a German in sight, looks like a Springfield and I still havn't figured out why it's a Mauser....I guess because the bought a logo!!!

Ray, the one's I have are in 30-06. I know they are an intermediate length action, but I have not seen any tests on the actions themselves or the make-up of the steel. I would be vey curious to see any information you have. Thanks - Dan

My copy of 'The Book of Rifles' mentions that the .30-06 was adopted by Mexico after WWII and in 1954 introduced the M54 chambered in that caliber, not the 7 X 57. Also, the one I have has a receiver 1.3" in diameter with no step in the left side. Doesn't this make the M54 a small ring? My other 98's are 1.4" with the step. I also would be interested in whatever information is out there regarding steel quality, etc.