One of the problems for the mini action is the bolt binds up. I am thinking of building up one more little rifle for myself. My question is has anyone tried to make a bolt guide like the 98's? I believe that I can make it work.

I have a Kreiger barrel in a 20 cal in sporter weight which I won a couple of years ago at the TSJC 60th get together. I bought a good English blank from Charles Grace. I need someone to chamber it for the 20 Tactical as I can't do the work any more.

Haven't tried it. But it should work OK.

The bolt binds because it's short? There are a few small actions around, how do they get around the problem? Ever seen a cooper M-38 up close? Isn't a CZ 527 pretty small? I've been thinking about a mini action build, but there are not too many of them around, nor good information. I'd be curious to hear about your projects.

I've found that the Mini Mark X isn't particularly smooth, but I've had no real problems with bolt binding on the four or so I've owned. Let's say you could retrofit with some kind of a different bolt guide. By the time you've done that, you will have as much in your Mini Mark X as you would in a Sako L461. Why not just start out first class instead of spending a lot of time and money to own what will always be a lesser gun?

By the way, there is a desperate shortage of good ".222"-size bolt actions. Who wants a .223 or a .17 Fireball built on an action large enough to house a .325 WSM?

I meekly suggest some lapping compound, shouldn't take much. I'd use the garnet type and begin with a few strokes using 600 or 800 grit, then progress to either finer or coarser depending on the resulting surface finish. I've never examined a mini Mauser but suspect that the binding may be alleviated by the lapping. It's worked absolute wonders on the full-size actions I've done, almost as smooth as a Krag.
Regards, Joe

I fitted my first mini mauser bolt shroud with the 2 position safety 21 years ago. It has made a difference on how these actions appear as a classic designed gun. Stock shape appears better to my eye than a plain factory style. It can be helped by lapping the action, but that doesn't address the problem of binding.

Sako's are a good action, but again the shape of the stock isn't too appealing. I have made several stocks for these actions in the modern style.

Gunmaker has made some improvements on the mini mauser and there is still room for improvement. I hope to create some interest along my thoughts.

I'm alway's interested in any idea that makes a good product even better.

Terry