If I have a good Mauser action (Obendorf, Argentinian, etc), how many times I can use it for builiding diferent calibers/rifles ?

For example if it was a 30-06 I can change it to 300 WM and then change it again to another caliber ?

Of course changing/modifying the bolt face, etc.

My question is: Is a Mauser action strong enough to do this or I can use it one or two times only ?

Thanks

Lorenzo

I have a Obendorg action that is on its at least 5th barrel and chamber. Each one a different wildcat.

Changing within the same case head means nothing. It is a simple unscrew and install and chamber. Nothing should need to be done to the action after its first squaring. If you make alterations to feed ramps or bolt faces you will then limit yourself to future cases of the same type. It you have opened the bolt face to a magnum you can simply replace the bolt to return to an 06 base. Removing metal from the action is difficult to replace.

Within the criteria that Ramrod mentioned I'd add one more thing.
So long as the action is not abused pressure wise. It would last a long time and have many new lives as a new caliber.

Or to put it another way if taken care of with even the most minor of care the rifle will out live you and you kids.

I have a 1891 Argentine that is being rebarreled. I bought it in 1990 and shot what was left of the barrel out. Just about bald rifling. Took it apart in 96' and am now just a few details away from being finished.

I will most likely need to rebarrel it again later down the road.

So long as the lugs don't set back or some other major mechanical problem arises a Mauser will last a very long time.

quote:

not abused pressure wise

+1

I've got one FN action that's on its third barrel. I don't see how one person can wear one out in a lifetime, unless he shot far more than a normal person. They usually get messed up through neglict, or poor bubba gunsmithing.

A few years ago, I decided never again to use a Mauser action for a magnum cartridge. That's mostly because I don't like the way they generally feed with a magnum, and I just don't want to pay to have the action modified to feed right, when there are much better actions for magnum cartridges that require no alterations at all to feed well.

Besides, as said above, if you stay with the standard cartridges, such as 8x57 or 30-06, etc., etc., there are plenty of good choices, and most Mausers will feed those types of cartridges very well.

KB

Nick Harvey is a well known and respected Australian gun writer and has an oft reported 98action that had 7 270 barrels on and worn out when he was a comercial roo shooter. It now has another barrel in another caliber. As has been said, a good quality 98 action, propperly looked after will out last most of our atteampts to wear it out.My1952 FN wore out a 30-06 and a 7x61 S&H barrels and is now happily digesting 404Jeffery loads.

Von Gruff.

Gentlemen, Thank you veru much for your comments.

Lorenzo

I think Lorenzo is saying he had a Mauser converted to .300 Magnum and now wants to convert it back to .30-06.....

Personally, I don't think this doable.....!

To go off of vapodog's interpretation I only feel comfortable changing the bolt face once. Yes you could weld it up and remachine but that just asking for trouble. Too much heat near the lugs for me.