What are the pros and cons of minimal diameter shank large ring 98 mauser barrels that only seat against the c-ring inner collar? Thanks.
Matt

This is going to heat up, but I have opinions and experiences.

The quick answer is the "Pro" of just seating against the "C" is it is easy plus you get the benefits of the gas handling that the "C" was designed for in the first place. The "Con" is you may have a visible gap between the shoulder and receiver face.

Now, all of that said, some opinions on the subject. I always fit them up with heavy contact against the "C" with lighter contact against the receiver face. I think it was in Frank DeHaas' first edition Bolt Action Rifles, but am not sure. I am a strict hobbyist,
I am not a gunsmith, I never played one in a movie, and didn't sleep in a holiday Inn Express last night.

My friend who is a very competant gunsmith fits the shank to touch only the receiver front face. He says that is how Rem and Win do it. He also justifies that it is not easy if even possible to true the "C" ring. His guns are plenty accurate.

There are no cons; original Mausers are fitted that way and only touch the receiver ring alightly. This is from removing about a hundred Mauser barrels of various makes over the past 40 years.

We were taught in Gunsmith school (in the middle ages of course,I'm 79) to depth mike the face to ring and cut the tenon exactly that length. Always did it that way. Never remember having a problem.

49,000,000 military mausers made this way. Which is the correct way, can't be too far wrong

I take a skim cut on the receiver face, true the c-ring by lapping, cut the barrel tenon to contact the c-ring and then the receiver face with light torque.

And do not worry zimbabwe, gunsmithing school has not changed much since the dark ages, er... you said middle ages. That's what I meant.