A friend has a customized mauser rifle in 338 Win Mag. I checked it out the other day after he mentioned separated case heads. It looks like this rifle has the classic recoil lug area setback and excessive headspace. He does load on the warm side, and has had the rifle for may years and fired more than 2 thousand rounds through it.

Question is, is there a fix and what course of action would you recommend. This rifle is an old friend of his, and he is truly sick over its condition (kind of like his condition--wearing out).

How can this be corrected and is there someone you would recommend that can do a quality job??

Thanks for any help.

If it has severe lug setback I would recommend changing out the receiver & bolt. The market if flooded with nice VZ24's right now.

matt---

I'm curious how you saw lug set back without pulling the barrel.

It depends on the action and how it was made.....if it's a case-hardened action it's probably scrap IF the lugs are set. If it's an alloy action it can be refaced, the barrel set back to correct the headspace and re-assembled.

There are several 'smiths that can do this work. It's not cheap and some guns just aren't worth it.

What are the markings on the left rail?

Matt,
Has he actually gauged the head space? That's the first thing to do. If the gauges show excessive headspace, he has a gun problem.

If the gauges don't show excessive headspace, he has a reloading problem.

JBelk,
It was a combination of his getting 2 loads before case head separation on only the second firing (yes he does load warm) and what I saw at the time. I actually advised him not to use it about a year ago so I don't remember what actually tipped me off. I think it was the shape of the lugs on the bolt and feeling in the lug area in the action with my finger. He has a friend that would like to have it fixed/verified so he can go on useing his old friend, and I told him I'd find a way we could do that. I guess what I need is someone with experience to give it a good inspection and fix it if needs be.

The rifle itself isn't the prettiest, but it has a lifetime of use, 27" barrel and really drives tacks.

Anyone want to check it out or loan me a set of 338 Win headspace gages?

I don't know offhand what action, may even be a commercial FN. I'll find out.

Thanks for the help so far--keep it coming.

[ 11-17-2002, 19:34: Message edited by: matt salm ]

I had the same experiece recently -- you can read the input from my thread.
http://www.serveroptions.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=004300#000000

HTH,
Todd

[ 11-17-2002, 19:37: Message edited by: Todd Getzen ]

Matt,

Just re-reading things -- the best bet is to have a 'smith swap out the action, you would basically just need the rails re-worked for feeding. This is probably what I will do. You really need to pull the barrel to look at the lug recesses -- run something over the recess gently, like an awl or nailset, so you can feel any steps.

I suppose another indirect clue would be a magic marker on the back of the bolt lugs, if it wears off completely / evenly after a few times working the bolt, I'd be suspicious (although it could have been lapped when put together).

Good luck to your friend,
Todd

matt, all have given good advise. What you really and truely need to do so that you don't loose a friend to a gun accident is pack the rifle into a gun case and visit a reputable GUN SMITH. Beleive me you will sleep much better when you get a proffesional opinion.

Well don't fix it until you know whats wrong with it, hell he may be oversizing his brass for goodness sakes..or he may simply be able to fireform the cases and live with a little headspace...Send it to a REAL gunsmith and find out the cause before you jump on any home remedy or start tearing it up.....Send it to Belk or Brockman. Inspection doesn't cost much more than shipping.