I am going to start on my first rifle project. I know a person that will sell me a complete Mauser 98 action and trigger group assy. He apparently has hundreds of them.
What should I look for in terms of wear, or deterioration. Obviously I want to get the best one so I don't have headspace or loose bolt problems. I am thinking of setting the rifle up for 22-250 or 7mm-08

Thanks all

DV

First thing I would do is pick up a copy of Kuhnhausens M98 shop manual and read through. It'll help you with what needs to be looked at when choosing.

CAL

I would opt for an FN or a VZ 24 if he has either.

Read all the literature on Mausers you can get your hands on. Stay away from the Spanish made Mausers.

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NRA Life member

Look for a VZ24 if possible. Many Mausers made before 1935 or so were casehardened and drilling and tapping them requires some special procedures. The VZ24 is excellent and well heat treated. Look carefully for any cracks, pitting and or corrosion and stay away from anything that has already been drilled or messed with. Throw away the old trigger and bolt cocking piece shroud and safety and get a timney deluxe with safety ($39). You won't care about the barrel as you will be putting on a new one. The 22-250 or 7mm-08 are excellent choices and will not require any rail or extractor work to feed/extract well.This should get you started,Good Luck-Rob

Rob,

The thought of replacing the mauser 3 position safety with a rem trigger block style safety is near blasphemy! I can see putting a low swing safety on as opposed to an M 70 3 position, but replacing the striker block safety on a mauser with the trigger block eliminates one of the mauser design strengths.

There are many different ways to go about building a gun on a mauser 98 action, but something you should set clear in your head before proceeding is, are you after a fine classic style hunting rifle? And if so, then try to ignore the budgetary concerns, and use the fine mauser action to achieve one.

If you are after a cheepie rifle, then just buy one off the rack from wally world, it'll be cheaper then a bastardized custom mauser, and a better gun.

Assuming you will have the work done for you, I would budget $1000 for it, minimum, you will end up with a nice hunting rifle. It is downright difficult to assemble a decent mauser for much less then that.

Paul H- Forgive Me, Forgive Me-For I have sinned! I shall go forth and REMOVE all my trigger block safeties and replace all of them with 3 position M70 style safeties as a sign of my repentence! I will Mill them myself so that Paul Mauser who is truly in heaven knows beyound a doubt! So shall it be said-So shall it be done! To Blaspheme the mighty Mauser is truly a sin!I shall sin no more!-Rob

Here's what your in for......

Ther is no such thing as a "cheapie" project anymore unless you can do most of the work yourself, then again, how much is your time worth?

I have a 1917 Danzig at my smiths now...
heres the bill.
True up action, remove old bolt handle and reweld new handle, install buhler saftey, and install new timney trigger..... $300

and I haven't evev bought a barrel or stock yet. This is gonna cost 700-800 before it's done, minimum.

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Don't tread on me!
Pennsylvania Frank

Pa.Frank,

You should check around on prices -- there's a lot of guys who do quality gunsmithing work on Mausers, and would charge significantly less than $300.

Todd