Mauser 98 early 20th century - Hunting/Sporting

[HonestJohn]

'96 are interesting too

96' Mauser Licht Luxus Pirschbüchse | DORLEAC & DORLEAC

www.dorleac-dorleac.com

They are, but lower pressure tolerances and also cock on closing, so not as enjoyable to cycle rounds through…imho…unless converted to cock on opening by someone highly skilled

 

[Heym SR20]

Nah, Rigby just messed with the original and best. These were the proper pre war commercial sporters.

Perfect rifle for a springtime / early summer stalk after a good Roebuck where you can creep in close and use the open sights. Something that really connects you with wildlife and makes memories. Somewhere like an ancient oak woodland on the shores of a loch would be ideal.

Something the digital scope lovers will never understand.

 

[HonestJohn]

I’d personally say a BRNO 21H Mauser 98 action, with a ZG47 bolt, and 2 pos side safety on the bolt shroud, with an Argentine 1909 bottom metal is about as perfect as you could ever wish for, in 7x57 of course

 

[harrygrey382]

[Romance and tradition aside and assuming that 100% reliability in loading/extracting isn't going to mean the difference between life and death (dangerous game hunting) is the Mauser action the best all-round hunting action for the money??

Really - that’s a question only you can answer. “Best” is always a compromise, and always needs a context. It also depends what action and price point you’re in. Are you looking at a brand new Prechtl action and comparing it to a Howa 1500? Or have you found a good price on a nice 1910 Mexican and are comparing it to a Tikka T3? And it depends what your criteria for best is.

For me the answer is always a resounding yes the Mauser is always the best for an all round hunting rifle. I love the incredibly positive ejection that no other action can offer, I love the satisfying engagement and secure feeling of the massive claw extractor, I love the ergonomics of the straight pair shaped handle, I love bolt shroud safety. I like the 90° bolt throw with two large lugs, the superior gas handling, the ability to operate in harsh conditions (eg dust) the box magazine (I DETEST detachables), the steel bottom metal. The bolt slop when open does not bother me one bit. I know some other actions have some (but not all) of these features and some of them some people actively dislike. What most can’t offer is the incredibly rich history which is also an attraction to many.

That rifle you pictured is indeed a beauty (although the wood grain is slightly over state for my taste), and there are many fine options for actions - pick whatever you like and don’t regret it. Any decent gunsmith (not that these are common) can build a nice rifle on almost any action - the aesthetics are dominated by the stock, then the barrel and action.

I’ve got rid of every bolt action that isn’t a Mauser (although the 4000 is not a 98, but there isn’t a scaled down 98 for 222) because I’ve never warmed to anything else I’ve handled

 

[HonestJohn]

I once saw a true Oberndorf 98 scaled down to .222. It was cut and welded and bolt cut,
Shortened and sleeved.

Enormous work, but a masterpiece!

Or, find a true Kurtz action. If you can!

Yes, a true m98 (not zastava - ) in .222 is on every true sportsman’s wish list

 

[ColinBr]

@harrygrey382 and @HonestJohn

Romance and tradition aside and assuming that 100% reliability in loading/extracting isn't going to mean the difference between life and death (dangerous game hunting) is the Mauser action the best all-round hunting action for the money??

I think back to that fantastic rifle that @Ronin made for Peter Hucheson built around the Borden Alpine action with the Lothar Walther barrel and the Jewell trigger wrapped in that stunning stock made by Gary Canes.........And I still think that might be the best way to spend my savings?

I loved the look of that rifle and may 1 day have Ronin make me 1 of similar

 

[harrygrey382]

Do have a look at what Joel Dorleac has on his shelf. That’s a man who knows how to build a rifle! And his almost as new 2nd hand offerings of his own builds, literally can be like new, at great prices. But! They don’t stick around long, for a reason!

Hands down these are the nicest rifles in the existence IMO. His taste, choice of materials and quality of workmanship is unsurpassed

 

[harrygrey382]

I once saw a true Oberndorf 98 scaled down to .222. It was cut and welded and bolt cut,
Shortened and sleeved.

Enormous work, but a masterpiece!

Or, find a true Kurtz action. If you can!

Yes, a true m98 (not zastava - ) in .222 is on every true sportsman’s wish list

Right - exactly. I did perversely think about a Kurz (especially when I missed out on a local one for au$1200), but not only has that not been an option what I would really like is a properly scaled down one IE small bolt body diameter and smaller ring diameter. I think a Kimber is as close as it gets. One day I’ll find a solution and rid my safe of the last push feed

 

[Keith Edmunds]

I loved the look of that rifle and may 1 day have Ronin make me 1 of similar

I really should have bought it.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

My first rifle, a Parker Hale .270 (I believe an 1100 Delux) topped with steel-tubed Weaver K-series multi-trac 4x32 was a Mauser 'type' action. Believed to have been built in the late '70s early 80s.

Any idea what action that would have been?

My only remaining photo of it

 

[John Gryphon]

I’d personally say a BRNO 21H Mauser 98 action, with a ZG47 bolt, and 2 pos side safety on the bolt shroud, with an Argentine 1909 bottom metal is about as perfect as you could ever wish for, in 7x57 of course

I have a long action BRNO 602 mauser actioned rifle,originally a .375 H&H

 

[HonestJohn]

My first rifle, a Parker Hale .270 (I believe an 1100 Delux) topped with steel-tubed Weaver K-series multi-trac 4x32 was a Mauser 'type' action. Believed to have been built in the late '70s early 80s.

Any idea what action that would have been?

My only remaining photo of it

Likely a Santa Barbara Mauser made for Parker hale. Dime a dozen, but good actions and still working well today!

Good rifles, learned to shoot on one of these in 30-06 when I was about 8 not in the UK mind…

 

[ColinBr]

I really should have bought it.

I thought the same, but reserved myself as I mainly stalk in forestry blocks with clearfell. I would have hated to have damaged the thing.

 

[HonestJohn]

I have a long action BRNO 602 mauser actioned rifle,originally a .375 H&H

Good Rifles! Marmite.

Original stocks not fun shooting prone

 

[HonestJohn]

I thought the same, but reserved myself as I mainly stalk in forestry blocks with clearfell. I would have hated to have damaged the thing.

Makes memories and scars of use, and excursions. Something a crappy plastic fantastic will
Never have.

 

[John Gryphon]

Original stocks not fun shooting prone

I sold O/stock for $350, sold the barrel also, overall a schitty thing it was,I only bought the rifle for the action..carved up walnut blank was done and a lothar walther screwed in. A dab of midnight cerakote. Totally different rifle now.

 

[karamoja]

My 1926 proofed DWM 8x57. A thing of beauty.

 

[ColinBr]

Makes memories and scars of use, and excursions. Something a crappy plastic fantastic will
Never have.

While I understand your sentiment towards a wooden rifle I cannot agree with that statement.

Memories are memories regardless of what piece of material is on the rifle.

 

[John Gryphon]

Makes memories and scars of use, and excursions. Something a crappy plastic fantastic will
Never have.

Really? That Sir is a fail. Synthetic is the only way to go imo for wet sclerophyll rainforest hunting in winter.
Over 45 years of scars on my old 7mm rm.
Besides the multitude of game I have taken with her others also have,Pom,Kiwi,Irish,Aussies...there is nothing 'crappy' at all.

 

[HonestJohn]

Really? That Sir is a fail. Synthetic is the only way to go imo for wet sclerophyll rainforest hunting in winter.
Over 45 years of scars on my old 7mm rm.
Besides the multitude of game I have taken with her others also have,Pom,Kiwi,Irish,Aussies...there is nothing 'crappy' at all.

View attachment 464797

I just can’t do it! no offense meant.

I’ve got one I’m holding for a friend, but it’s hard to handle it’s even in my safe

That said, my rifles don’t get subjected to really really hard working conditions. Well, culling Scottish Red deer, but even that doesn’t do much to a wood stock if it’s sealed well.