What exactly is a "No. 5" FN Mauser?

I think I have one...

Close-up pics?

don't have a photo, but i've read that the no5 had a longer magazine and a drop box. this magazine has a "5" stamped on the inside of the floorplate.

According to Frank de Haas's book, the FN No. 5 action is the so-called FN "Magnum" action.

I say so-called and put Magnum in quotes because this action is actually the same 8 3/4 inch length as all other FN pattern 98 actions.

But it has a long, 3 5/8 inch magazine box, cut back feed ramp and modified bolt face and extractor, all designed to permit the action to accept H&H Mag. and Weatherby Mag. length cartridges.

De Haas cautioned that cutting back the feed ramp was okay for the .300 and .375 H&H rounds, but a bad idea for higher pressure, improved or Weatherby rounds.

De Haas cited a first-hand observed case of action failure (set back and cracked locking lug) in an FN No. 5 actioned rifle chambered for the .300 H&H Improved Magnum, and anecdotal evidence of several failures in rifles with such actions chambered for Weatherby rounds.

Thanks MR

My pleasure.

I should thank you.

I ended up re-reading the FN, Winchester, Sako and Husqvarna sections of "Bolt Action Rifles" last night thanks to your question!

I, for one, miss Frank de Haas. He was as forthright, informative and objective a writer as they come.