The Modern Mauser 98

[London Jaeger]

Good morning all,

Has anyone had any experience with, owns/owned or used a modern Mauser 98?

I was looking at the modern M98 in .308w as a possible investment in stalking. A forever rifle that I could leave to my children and could be an almost family heirloom. I am very familiar with the caliber but not the rifle itself. Link below to the rifle in question -

MAUSER 98 STD Expert | 80112511

www.mauser.com

Any thoughts on this rifle and caliber would be appreciated.

 

[palmer_mike]

.308win is certainly a great choice for a stalking rifle, especially if you intend it to be an heirloom (longevity of barrels and availability of ammo in the future).

The rifle itself is probably a well put together thing of beauty, although I’ve not handled one myself.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

The black gas nitride coating is as is put on Glocks I believe so that is top protection.

 

[Muir]

Beautiful rifle but not very practical. Don't me wrong: That's my kind of rifle, but how soon will it become tiresome? Scoped? (Ugh! On a rifle with such clean lines??) I'm saying that our idea of an heirloom might be someone elses trading material. I will be leaving many rifles to children and grandchildren. I don't expect them to value them as much as I did. Other than a decent .22 for each of the grandkids, I don't buy any rifles to pass along. They can and will make that decision on their own.~Muir

 

[JH83]

A beautiful thing no doubt. You would think a classic stalking round, but with longevity would be ideal...6.5x55, 7x57 or 270 seem to suit it nicely. A real gentleman’s stalker, lovely.

 

[Dave Scott]

Not available in 6.5x55 or .270 - available in 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x62, .308 or .30-06.

 

[Dunwaters]

I don’t know if it counts but I have a 98, Argentinian model 1909 action classic stalking rifle in 270Win, it works for me. I’m not sure about the heirloom thing though, medium bore rifles tend to get used and say 5,000 rounds wont last as long as you think so maybe plan on having it re-barrelled?
The action itself is pretty bomb proof once its properly set up and you run it hard, it does tend to hang up if you try to load it quietly.

 

[London Jaeger]

.308win is certainly a great choice for a stalking rifle, especially if you intend it to be an heirloom (longevity of barrels and availability of ammo in the future).

The rifle itself is probably a well put together thing of beauty, although I’ve not handled one myself.

The .308 was my thought for a good all round European stalking rifle and big enough to use on Boar as well. Yes there are certain Rifles better for certain quarry but most can be shot sensibly with a .308.

I was looking at the Rigby's as well but as they are Mauser actions with just the decor done by Rigby I thought I would go straight to the source.

 

[London Jaeger]

Beautiful rifle but not very practical. Don't me wrong: That's my kind of rifle, but how soon will it become tiresome? Scoped? (Ugh! On a rifle with such clean lines??) I'm saying that our idea of an heirloom might be someone elses trading material. I will be leaving many rifles to children and grandchildren. I don't expect them to value them as much as I did. Other than a decent .22 for each of the grandkids, I don't buy any rifles to pass along. They can and will make that decision on their own.~Muir

The fact that it is unpractical is what makes it special! Whilst there a nice synthetic Tika will kill just as well and 10x more practical, its just not get you as excited as a beautiful wooden stock rifle with some history behind it. I like the idea of having that one rifle that is extra special, even if the price is knocks you over.

I agree though that putting a scope/moderator on a M98 (which I would have to do with the amount of woodland stalking I do) seems like a crime!

 

[243varmint]

Great action. You need to be firm with them.
I've used one in Germany stalking boar under the moon. 56mm scope with no mod and no bipod.
I thought it was quite heavy...build quality will be second to none...

 

[HandB]

This could do the job and the build quality will most likely be higher: Proctor, T. T. 7x57 Rifle | Second Hand Guns for Sale | guntrader

 

[243varmint]

The fact that it is unpractical is what makes it special! Whilst there a nice synthetic Tika will kill just as well and 10x more practical, its just not get you as excited as a beautiful wooden stock rifle with some history behind it. I like the idea of having that one rifle that is extra special, even if the price is knocks you over.

I agree though that putting a scope/moderator on a M98 (which I would have to do with the amount of woodland stalking I do) seems like a crime!

Don't put a mod on it then... Just wear good ear defenders

 

[London Jaeger]

A beautiful thing no doubt. You would think a classic stalking round, but with longevity would be ideal...6.5x55, 7x57 or 270 seem to suit it nicely. A real gentleman’s stalker, lovely.

Unfortunately they don't do it in a .270, otherwise they would likely be the direction I would likely lean in.

Whilst I have never been I would also like to go after driven boar on the continent and I understand a .308 is better suited than a .270, which is a little light.

 

[243varmint]

I don’t know if it counts but I have a 98, Argentinian model 1909 action classic stalking rifle in 270Win, it works for me. I’m not sure about the heirloom thing though, medium bore rifles tend to get used and say 5,000 rounds wont last as long as you think so maybe plan on having it re-barrelled?
The action itself is pretty bomb proof once its properly set up and you run it hard, it does tend to hang up if you try to load it quietly.

That's the butt pad I want on my M98 actioned 9.3x62

 

[London Jaeger]

Great action. You need to be firm with them.
I've used one in Germany stalking boar under the moon. 56mm scope with no mod and no bipod.
I thought it was quite heavy...build quality will be second to none...

How were they on boar? Did the action allow for fast reloading?

I have used an M12 before and found it very similar to most good quality European rifles I have used. Though I would hope the M98 is a build quality well above its budget cousin I have experienced.

I have never really had an issue with weight of rifles, though all my shooting has been supported (sticks, highseat's ect) and so the weight factor is only in so far as me carrying it during the stalk.

 

[London Jaeger]

I don’t know if it counts but I have a 98, Argentinian model 1909 action classic stalking rifle in 270Win, it works for me. I’m not sure about the heirloom thing though, medium bore rifles tend to get used and say 5,000 rounds wont last as long as you think so maybe plan on having it re-barrelled?
The action itself is pretty bomb proof once its properly set up and you run it hard, it does tend to hang up if you try to load it quietly.

Noted and thanks for the advice.

Do you think even with the higher end european rifles (like the M98) the barrels will be at the end of the life at around 5,000 shots? I know that isn't the end of the rifles like, just a cost and trip to a good gunsmith, but I still would of thought they had more milage than that.

Lovely picture BTW

 

[Muir]

The fact that it is unpractical is what makes it special! Whilst there a nice synthetic Tika will kill just as well and 10x more practical, its just not get you as excited as a beautiful wooden stock rifle with some history behind it. I like the idea of having that one rifle that is extra special, even if the price is knocks you over.

I agree though that putting a scope/moderator on a M98 (which I would have to do with the amount of woodland stalking I do) seems like a crime!

What i was saying is that if you are buying it for you, have at it. (and yes: Scoping and screw cutting that rifle would bastardize it, to say the least.) If you are convincing yourself it will be a 'legacy' gun, don't bother. ~Muir

 

[243varmint]

How were they on boar? Did the action allow for fast reloading?

I have used an M12 before and found it very similar to most good quality European rifles I have used. Though I would hope the M98 is a build quality well above its budget cousin I have experienced.

I have never really had an issue with weight of rifles, though all my shooting has been supported (sticks, highseat's ect) and so the weight factor is only in so far as me carrying it during the stalk.

I was stalking them under moonlight not driven.
Not a lot of difference in my opinion between a turnbolt and a straight pull. I'll await incoming fire from straight pull owners.
Used both on driven hunts.
Not all driven hunts are like Wild boar fever, in fact I doubt any are

 

[Dunwaters]

Noted and thanks for the advice.

Do you think even with the higher end european rifles (like the M98) the barrels will be at the end of the life at around 5,000 shots? I know that isn't the end of the rifles like, just a cost and trip to a good gunsmith, but I still would of thought they had more milage than that.

Lovely picture BTW

A lot depends on the caliber, there’s not a huge difference in the lifespan of different steels, big cases with big powder charges create more wear than smaller cases, your pick of 308 is pretty much perfect, long barrel life and both ample and legal for all European species ( and most others too) .
But still around 5K rounds, a magnum will be a lot less, maybe 1/2 that.
Also worth considering is that Rifle fashion changes, currently it’s straight pulls, big optics, moderators bipods and relatively heavy lumps.
I think that’s down to trying to create the “ Buddhist “ rifle, the one with everything version. What you seem to be trying to create is a stalking rifle, that’s a fairly specific use, if you compromise on that specification you end up with a bit of a mongrel not ideal in any role.
Your choice and your money, I hope your new rifle is everything that you expect and more and I hope you enjoy the journey, I certainly did.

 

[stevec]

Would a Zastava tidied up and possibly restocked do the same job?