I acquired a Mauser 98 action some time ago and am collecting the final couple of parts to make it a 9.3x62 short barreled sporter. It came to me as a re-blued barreled action and mis matched bottom metal. Left side of the reciever just forward of the thumb cut it is stamped "GEW 98", I never thought about checking on its suitability for use as a 9.3.
Can any of you out there tell me if this action is okay for my purpose.
I've already tried looking up this info but a Mauser afficianado I'm not and everyone assumes you are. Any simple help would be appreciated.
Thanks

you have the classic old mauser action.

A Mauser that is marked GEW 98 on the side would have been World War One production. The metalurgy and case hardening would be different from the those made in the late 20's and 30's.

The rifle may not only have been subjected to the use/abuse of trench warfare, but it may have also been used for several different sporters over the years. I would have an extremely competent gunsmith, familiar with 98's, examine it before you sink too much money into it.

I had a GEW that was definitely WWI and was advised by 2 gunsmiths not to use it to build anything other than a 7x57 or 8x57 due to the soft steel used at the time.

From a post i saved from Jack Belk

"On actions made from alloy steel (1924 and later for most m98s)the heat-treating is done to the entire action. You can test where ever you feel like. Behind the recoil lug is great. The action is the same all over.(30-35 RC)

On early actions that handy area behind the lug is about as soft as a nail. Its never been heat treated! Why should anybody expect it to be? The heat-treat was done inside the action by carbon packing(case hardening). The actions were heat treated where they *nedded it*. No where else."

Any way to tell what year mine was made and are newer better than older?
Any way to test its hardness to see if it has been heat treated already?
Is a 9.3x62 going to stress it much more than a 8x57?

send it off for heat treat, it may make you sleep better...

great round and action

jeffe

Where would someone send it off to and what should I expect to pay for this service?

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Where would someone send it off to and what should I expect to pay for this service?

Pacific Metallurgical (enter it on a search engine) in Washington State.....figure on 30 days and about $75.....tell em you want the Tom Burgess treatment