One more stupid question and I will shut up

15 November 2002, 06:26

wildcat junkie

The M48 Magazine box is about .090" shorter than the "Standard" M98. The box also does not have the "expansion room" built into it that the "Standard" does. The loading ramp area is already much shorter than the M98K "Standard" length. The action is about 1/4" shorter and the fact that it already is whithin .090" of the "Standard" length M98 bears this out. 3.200" COL is about the max.

the following "short" and "intermediate" length cartridges will fit handily.

Short action rounds

22-250
250 Sav
260 rem
7mm-08 Rem
300 Rem
308 Win
358 Win

[/list]Intermediate action rounds (ideal for this action @ 3.150" COL

220 Swift

6mm Rem (much better in "intermediate length" as it is based on 7X57 case.

257 Roberts (see 6mm Rem comment)

6.5X55 Sweed

7X57 Mauser

8x57 Mauser (Easily makes 2800fps with 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tips) [/LIST]
Now, if you want to open up the bolt face, you can chamber any of the WSM or SAUM cartridges and load to 3.150" COL or there abouts for much more flexibility with heavier projectiles. I have spoken to two gunsmiths of considerable reputation, and they say this is safe in the M98 large ring, large thread action. (The M48 is thus) One of them however recommends chrome moly barrels for this as they are stronger (tensile strength) than stainless. (Although stainless resists throat erosion better)

You might want to consider the 8X57. This round is loaded to pathetic presure levels in America for fear that some "numbrod" (pun intended) might chamber one if these in a "j" bore (.318" bore)

I have easily reached 2800fps with 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tips (IMR 4064) and 2600fps with 200gr Nosler Partitions (IMR 4350). This was out of an issue barrel and action "Standard" M98K circa 1942. No pressure signs with either load.

I am sure that I have "missed" someone's favorite, and I am sure we will here more recommendations.

This action is too short for 3.340 COL (30-06 length) cartridges!

[ 11-14-2002, 21:49: Message edited by: wildcat junkie ]

15 November 2002, 07:33

AlanC

Thanks guys. This is gonna be fun!

15 November 2002, 13:10

Leftoverdj

.25-06?

I'd even be willing to go .30-06 or .35 Whelen and accept that there would be a few loads that had to be seated a little deep.

15 November 2002, 13:15

Leftoverdj

Can't believe I missed it the first time.

How could an Alaskan pass up a chance to build a 9x57?

15 November 2002, 13:57

craigster

I converted one to 30-06. I use round nose bullets, either 150 or 165gr. That solves the length problem. I haven't had any dead animals complain about the poor ballistic coeffients of these projectiles.

15 November 2002, 18:43

z1r

Unless you went up like someone suggested to 9x57 or 9.3x57 I wouldn't change it. Or down to a shorter cartridge like .257 or .250-3000 or the other mid length cartridges previously listed. My own sporter M48 had a brand new barrel. It shot great so I turned out the steps and installed better sights. If you're handloading there isn't any gain to be had be deep seating 30 cal bullets when you can easily load out the 8mm's as far as the magazine will allow.

-M

15 November 2002, 19:45

<Pablo>

Al,
I would humbly suggest you look at the 284 winchester, and the wildcats on this case from .224 thru .375(maybe even.416)any of these will fit magazine length and you will not have to give up the option of spitzer's. I am sure there are times when long shots are unavoidable.
I do not have any experience with the new wsm or usm's, but I do know the 284 family feeds flawlessly in the Yugo.

16 November 2002, 03:47

Jim Kobe

The magazine box could be lengthened.

17 November 2002, 04:55

wildcat junkie

quote:
Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
The magazine box could be lengthened.

I doubt if there is any room to lengthen to the front as the feed ramp is already about .125" shorter than the "standard" length M98. Let's say one files about .060" off of the rear face of the magazine box. 3.225" + .060" = 3.285", still not enough for 30-06 length cartridges unless the bullets are "seated deep". So, now we are turning a 30-06 into a 308? [Roll Eyes]

Standard M98s are a dime a dozen. A little file work will give about 3.380" magazine box ID on a "standard" M98, perfect for 30-06 @ 3.340" SAAMI spec. These M48s are ideal for 308, 257 Roberts WSMs etc. Why try to make them something they are not, when the proper length actions are probably more numerous and easier to come by?

Yes, I suppose it could be done, but why? [Confused]

17 November 2002, 07:21

AlanC

Short mags sound like they deserve a look. What about the feed rails and the magazine? Would that fat cartridge fit?

17 November 2002, 10:49

wildcat junkie

quote:
Originally posted by Alaskan Al:
Short mags sound like they deserve a look. What about the feed rails and the magazine? Would that fat cartridge fit?

I talked to a "smith" a while back about doing an 8mm WSM wildcat. The feed issue did not seem to be considered a problem, although I would want to leave milling the rails to the "profesionals", as a screw up here could result in an expensive "paperweight" The issue barrel would require about .135" setback for the 8X57 chamber to "clean up". Chamber wall thickness although thin when rechambered, was still considered adequate if one did not pursue the upper pressure limits. Rebarreling would make these later items a "non issue".

I am sure that there have been several of the conversions done, perhaps posting it as a new topic such as "WSMs in M98 actions" (the M48 is a large ring large thread action, it is "small ring" length) would get a response from a "professional" that has done this.

I'm sure that magazine capacity would be reduced to three cartridges, perhaps less. I can stuff three 8X68S cases into one of my VZ500 actions, I can almost get the fourth one in. The WSMs are only .020" in diameter bigger, so I would think that three of those would fit also. Ten minutes work to the extractor would allow it to "snap" over a round in the chamber. That would give one a total of four shots if needed. I seldom use more than one anyway.

If one thinks about it, the M48 is basicly a slightly elongated M70 "Classic" short action. That is what they based this cartridge on in the first place.

19 November 2002, 16:09

TERRY8mm

The 7.92x57, in European loadings is IMHO, the equal of most commercial .06 loadings.

A while back a friend had his chrono set up and I ran some S&B 180gr. sp. thru. The velocities were just over 2900 fps. with about 11 fps. spread.

This Yugo was a mismatch with a brand new barrel from the rearsenal work. I didn't re taper the steps, simply smoothed them till there was no sharp edges. It almost drove me nuts, till I figured out it liked a little pressure at the end of the forearm.

BTW, this is an m24/47, with one of the F.N. contract actions.

[ 11-19-2002, 07:13: Message edited by: TERRY8mm ]