I have a customers 98 in hand that needs to go on diet. Among other things, he has requested that I replace his bottom metal with something made of aluminum to further reduce weight. Does anyone know of a source for such an item? I have checked with Brownells but the one they list is unavailable.

Thank you,

Malm

Sounds like it needs to undergo bariatric surgery and come out as a Rem mountain rifle or short M-70.

I think you're referring to the Whitetail Indus. or something like that, which I've heard described as crap but have never seen. Voere also made bottom metal that had removable magazines, but I don't think they do anymore. Those are the only ones I've heard of.

What about just making a blind magazine and using a Savage trigger bow or something like that?

Todd

Choates makes a lightweight stock, that has a blind magazine, it cut's alot of weight from a Mauser, plus lengthens then magazine box.

Yea I've discussed different stocks, blind magazines etc., but the fellow, a die hard Alaskan/hunter, want's to keep his walnut stock but lose the weight in the area of the barrel and bottom metal. We've got the barrel concerns whipped, now looking for some aluminum in a different form other than beer cans...


Thank you both anyhow...

Malm

[ 03-02-2003, 20:17: Message edited by: G.Malmborg ]

Use the existing bottom metal, swiss cheese it with holes and remove all the metal you can and it will be as light, and in many cases lighter as an aluminum bottom metal, but much stronger, you could, God forbid, even add an aluminun floor plate to it..Aluminum floorplates have been known to break...

Brownell's does, or did, sell aluminum bottom metal with swing open mag well rather cheaply.

I'm guessing that the bottom metal from an FN Mauser would fit. The Browning FN used aluminum, so if you could find one of those, it would fit the bill.

Check with Williams Manufacturing. They post here pretty regular. Me seems to remember that they were working on new Mauser bottom metal. Don't know what varieties they've come up with but it might be worth the inquiry.