I have a model 98 Mauser that I completely sporterized. It is currently chambered in 280 Ackley. I've got the jones for a boomer and I've been reading up on the 416 Taylor, 458 Win Mag and the 458 Lott. Let it be said that I have absolutly no neew for a heavy rifle, just thought it might be fun to play around with. I belive all of these cartridges will fit in my model 98, but I'll need to modify the bolt face. How is this accomplished?
Anyone recommend another cartridge I should be looking at that might not need bolt face modification? The 9.3X62 comes to mind, but .366 bullets are not very plentiful.
Thanks in advance
Posts: 260 | Location: Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA | Registered: 30 December 2003
I might suggest that you do a thorough search for all of the good information on this site concerning your question.
In response to your direct question, to modify the bolt you will need to have a lathe. YOu measure the rim from a standard cartridge and then you measure the rim from the cartridge that you wish to use in the action. I am NOT a machinist, but I believe you then find the difference, and starting from the center you enlarge the face by moving the tool one half of the difference between the two measurements. In addition, you will need to modify the extractor to accept the larger cartridge.
But you can't stop there. You will need to alter the magazine box considerably, or perhaps even purchase a new one, becuase as the geometry of the cartridge changes so to must the magazine geometry.
You will also need to alter the side rails for feeding.
Moreover, you will need to determine whether your receiver is up to the task. If it is soft, or if it already has some lug setback, or recess setback, you may have to lap the lugs and reharden the action.
Lastly, you have shown pictures of your rifle. You have it all dolled up and I see no practical reason why you would want to take it apart if it shoot well. If you want to build a magnum, think about starting with another action such as a magnum action from Charles Daly.
Once again, there is a wealth of information on this subject if you do a search.
You can either have your bolt face enlarged or you can simply get a second bolt with a magnum face. I have purchased both a MKX and Daly magnum bolt off of ebay. One for $75 the other brand new at $115.
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001
go 9.3x62. i'm thinking about such a thing for next year's project. lots o' bullets now are available. check out midway, etc. surprisingly popular chambering nowadays.
I suppose some folks are doing this in a lathe....I never was able to do the job I wanted and made a fixture in my milling machine vise and using a carbide end mill and an Analam CNC conversion just program the path.
Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
blue, Your slip is showing. You do not NEED to redo or get a larger magazine box. That is ideal and is the best fit but there are a ton of Argentines and other 98's that have been made to work quite well with the standard box with some lengthening. The ideal fit maximizes the space in the box. It will still work well without it, but you do need to work on the feed rails.
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001
I decided to stay with the 06 bolt face. In this way I can have a switch barrel rifle. The two cartridges I'm looking at are 35 Whelan Improved or the 375 Whelen Improved. Comments?
Posts: 260 | Location: Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA | Registered: 30 December 2003
I am sure you are correct, and I apologise for misspeaking. However, I have seen many many people on this site and others who have complained that they were having a lot of trouble with their magnums feeding in their standard 98 mauser actions. I am sure that some of it is attributable to improper modification of rails and such, but when I sit here and look at my Blackburn 30-06 box and an 09 box I see the difference right away, and that isn't even changing to a magnum.
If you really want a switch barrel since you have a 280 A&B barrel go with one of their 338-06 or 35 Whelen barrels. The contour would be the same. You could improve either.
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001
I would, except that I have already volunteered to work most of sunday helping to distribute food to poor and underprivileged people in the Phillips Neighborhood.
Maybe it is you are the one that needs an attitude adjustement. Call me up and we'll talk about it.
