Hi Guys,

I would like to know if the Talley Mauser bases are the same contour as the Redfield FN bases.

The reason I ask is simply that I finally got feed up the an ill fitted 30mm Swarovski scope with the giant #4 reticle that came mounted on a otherwise stupendous fine old Mauser that I have owned for a bit.

Accordingly, since I will be swapping out the scope I will need new rings and while I am at I feel it only fitting to also upgrade the bases if possible

Below is a picture of the contour of the action, and as mention it was previously wearing the Redfield FN bases.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
JC

If the clip slot was ground off by a compotent gunsmith, the Talley's should work just fine

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
If the clip slot was ground off by a compotent gunsmith, the Talley's should work just fine

Thank you Duane, you are exactly one of the talented folks I was hoping to hear from. And yes, this work was done by a very talented gunsmith, Mr. Keith Stegall. While I have no way to be certain that he did all of the metal work himself and I know some of the work was done by Al Beisen, I am certain all of the work on this gun is well above the simple competent standard.

Once again I thank you for your reply...Additionally, if you don't mind fielding one more simple question on the long shot you may be able to provide some additional provenance on this gun. Have you, (or anyone else here), ever come across any other work that might give you any ideas who the gentlman was that would have commisioned a gun such as this with the initials "RW", as seen on this grip cap from the same gun?...Again, I realize it is a long shot, but I can't imagine that there were that many folks purchasing guns like this several decades ago with the intials "RW". Also I know of a fine Frasier that also was done by Al Beisen baring the "RW"initials..

Regards,
JC

Looks like the initials are RWM

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
Looks like the initials are RWM

May very well be..or as I have considered RMW...or possibly even RW over a mountain motif as this gun was produced by Keith in the mountains of Gunnison Colorado.

JC

You know, Roger Biesen may be able to shed some light...worth a call

Thanks again Duane,

I have been meaning to give Roger a call for awhile...I'll make a point to try to get that done this week! Thanks for reminding me again.

Also, thanks again for the info on the bases... They should be arriving here tomorrow and hopefully I will have everything mounted by the weekend!

JC

FN and Mark X bases should work fine. M98 bases usually have closer hole spacing in the rear.

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
FN and Mark X bases should work fine. M98 bases usually have closer hole spacing in the rear.

You are muddying the water IMO. For all practical purposes "all" Mark X, Mauser, and nearly all FN bases have .500 rear hole spacing.

There are a some FNs with .860 rear hole spacing, often found on JC Higgins rifles, but most are .500.

Some Mauser rear bases are made with a notch to clear the charger hump.

quote:

For all practical purposes "all" Mark X, Mauser, and nearly all FN bases have .500 rear hole spacing.

There are a some FNs with .860 rear hole spacing, often found on JC Higgins rifles, but most are .500.

JBrown,

That is excellent info. With that info it is very easy to order the Talley bases as they are very specific about all of that data. In my case 252709 was what I was looking for.

JC

Talley base numbers:

252709 98 Mauser Large Ring .500 Rear Steel Bases

252730 98 Mauser Large Ring .860 Rear Steel Bases

252722 98 Mauser Small Ring Steel Bases

I have a gun in the shop for repair right now that Mr. Stegall built. I recognized that grip cap immediately. I'll see if I can post some pics later today.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
FN and Mark X bases should work fine. M98 bases usually have closer hole spacing in the rear.

You are muddying the water IMO. For all practical purposes "all" Mark X, Mauser, and nearly all FN bases have .500 rear hole spacing.

There are a some FNs with .860 rear hole spacing, often found on JC Higgins rifles, but most are .500.

Some Mauser rear bases are made with a notch to clear the charger hump.

Leupold 98 mauser bases are probably what he is refering to. They have a smaller spacing than the fn mauser base. It's designed to use without removing the charger hump.
Don

Hi,

It seems that the Talley Mauser bases do in fact fit the contour of the my Mauser. Unfortunately,they are too large to fit the bridge properly. As can be see from the picture below, the base hangs over the the back of the bridge blocking the bolt travel.

Now I am back to where I started here with bases and mounts. While I know the standard Redfield bases and rings will fit, I would really like be able to use QD rings on this gun.

Any alternate recommendations would be appreciated. (I'll start by looking into Leupold and Warne QD options.)

JC

Are the bases reversable, it seems that the screw is closer to the edge facing the bolt opening ?

I thought that was going to be the outcome, hence my post earlier. I doubt you will find a compatible base to fit those mounting holes. Another possible choice would be Weaver bases for an FN or Mark X and then grind away the right rear corner of the base. Leupold QR's for an FN would work but you will have to drill at least one hole in the rear; hopefully one of the other holes will work.

quote:

Originally posted by manhasset:
Are the bases reversable, it seems that the screw is closer to the edge facing the bolt opening ?

Manhasset,

Yes they are reversable, and that does almost solve the problem. Unfortunately, they are still too long by tenths of an inch as seen below.

JC

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
I thought that was going to be the outcome, hence my post earlier.

Airgun,

I don't think anyone understood what your earlier post was stating, with regard to my rifle, (me included).

This gun has standard screw spacing and the Talley bases fit fine. They are just a touch too long due to the design of the Talley Base.

It seems that the Warne bases which utilize a cross slot, (and are therefore shorter as a result), will fit fine.

Please let me know if I am missing something.

JC

There are two ways of describing hole spacing. First is simply the distance C-to-C of the holes in the bases. Second is the distance between the holes inthe bridge & receiver ring.

In your case the hole spacing in bases and the corresponding holes in the action are "standard". However, their location relative to thier positioning on the bridge & front ring is not. Simply put, the holes in the rear bridge were drilled too far back. the simple solution is to remove some material at the right rear corner of the rear base to match the angle on the bridge. Some factory bases already come this way. be advised that even they may not fit due to the hole location. Just alter your base in the position shown in your last pic and go shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
Simply put, the holes in the rear bridge were drilled too far back. the simple solution is to remove some material at the right rear corner of the rear base to match the angle on the bridge. Some factory bases already come this way. be advised that even they may not fit due to the hole location. Just alter your base in the position shown in your last pic and go shooting.

Thanks Mike,

That is the conclusion I came to, (that the holes are slightly too far back). Fortunately, the difference is very slight. Accordingly, I am relatively certain that the Warne bases will fit without the need for any modification.

Right now the only difficulty I am having is locating the bases and low QD rings in a matte finish from the same supplier.

JC

I just got a set of those Warnes from Brownells the other day. FYI, Weaver steel bases are nearly identical.

Hey Mike,

One more question for clarification. The picture of the bases above came from Midway's site and is suposed to be the Warne 98 "altered" base. However, it looks like the bases have two different c-c screw sizes. Wouldn't that be the "unaltered" base? (My guess is, it might be the wrong picture?)

In any case, I checked Brownell's and they do have them both in stock. (I must say though prices are 30%+ higher than what everyone else sells the same parts for.)

If I have this right, I believe the Brownell's part number I need is the following "947-000-169 MAUSER FN/CHARLES DALY MAXIMA 2-PCBASE"

Please let me know if you think that is incorrect.

Thanks Again,
JC

Altered and unaltered usually refer to a clearance cut at the front of the rear base to clear the charger hump. Near as I could tell as I'm running out the door, the right part number for the Warnes bases is: 947-000-170

Save yourself the trouble and buy the weaver S45 & S46 bases. They are also Matte and less expensive than the Warnes.

If you are bent on the Talley rings, I can make you a base to fit. Email me if you are interested.

Jim

To be clear. Your rear bridge is an M98 bridge with the charger hump removed and drilled for an FN or Mark X but too far to the rear. An FN or Mark X rear bridge is solid to the front with more fore and aft room.

A Leupold STD base for an M98 is contoured on the back edge and has approx 3/8" -1/2" CtoC holes. Leupold does not make a QR M98 base to the best of my knowledge, but their FN QR base is designed with the same contour in the rear as an M98 base. I haven't ever used Talley's and don't know how they mount to the rings with regards to grinding away that corner. I know Weaver or Steel Weavers will work with that corner ground off as that was my solution for a quick release setup on an M98.

Here is a rear base on a 98 Mauser with the rear bridge ground down ala FN. Not too good a picture but you get the idea.

Isn't the bridge in question already ground down ala FN style? The issue is hole placement.

It started out with the hump. I drilled and tapped it. Made the hole spacing the same as the bridge. That was fairly simple. What is even as simple is to match the hole spacing on the already tapped receiver to a custom made base.