Hello,

Someone recently talked about modifying a 98 bolt stop to lengthen throw, allowing the magazine to be opened up mainly in the rear (couldn't track down the post). On my '09 bottom metal, this seems like the easiest way to lengthen the mag.

BUT, how do you modify the bolt stop? I could just remove metal from the face of the bolt stop - however, it's beveled to the rear, and what I DON'T want is to weaken the stop and yank the bolt right out of the receiver at an inopportune moment (i.e. vigorously working the bolt w/ pissed-off critter bearing down on me). To refine my question: how do I lengthen throw without impairing the function of the bolt stop?

On a side note, how many 375 sized rounds are you fitting into a Mauser mag box modified only for length?

Thanks,

Todd

A lot depends on how much longer your throw needs to be. Perhaps the best solution would be make a shorter bolt stop to replace the original.

Todd,
Without the use of a custom drop box, you will end up with two down and one in the chamber...

Don't worry about the bolt stop, as you don't cut that much off of it..That conversion has been working since Holland and Holland brought the gun our a 100 years ago....

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

To all: thank you for your replies.

Mr Atkinson:
How much is it safe to lengthen the throw? What I plan to do is extend the back wall about 4 millimeters. The rest will be opened up in front, I hope by just increasing the slope of the feed ramp a bit (total about 5 mm out front), for total length of just over 94mm / 3.65"

Also if you don't mind another question: I'm using argentine bottom metal, so I'll have to deal with the hinge relief in the front of the box -- don't think that will be a problem. What concerns me is how narrow the front of the box will be once extended -- I can't really make it any wider than the inlet in the stock. Is this likely to jam up 458 lotts in the front of the box? They sure won't be able to stagger out much.

Thanks again; your expertise and willingness to help are appreciated.

Todd Getzen

Todd,
A couple of things come to mind, I would not lenthen the feed ramp, but widen it and cut the bolt stop back about the same as you lenthen the box, but do it a little at a time until it works.

The problem is a Mauser is totally designed around whatever caliber it was originally chambered in, so when you change it you have to tweek everything..The rails will have to be widened and tapered..You will loose capacity in that magazine of one or two rounds, and they will never stack properly...You will have to open it up in back and a little in front,about 40 Thous. You will need a new mag. size follower..

Actually you need a Blackburn drop box made for that caliber. That would require a new stock...Your not getting into a simple operation if you do it right..otherwise I would just make it a 9.3 x64 or 9.3x62 that requires very little if any modification.. an still get 375 H&H performance...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray,

Thanks again for your input. The 9.3x62/64 would be interesting; I like the idea of European sporting calibers in a Mauser anyway. I'll look into it a little more.

Todd