The Modern Mauser 98

My older offenwerks (or something, can’t remember) m98 stutz . Shoots 100gr fed really well and feels indestructible. One from this morning.
 

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A CZ550 in a suitable calibre would work as a base. Pretty much a true 98 action with the advantage of machined in dovetails for a scope. Get it threaded with an invisible thread protector so lines are preserved, a decent stock to suit just you and a traditonal scope. All pretty good.

David.
 
I had a really good look at one about three years at Jagd & Hund. Nice well made rifle that will last several lifetimes. I have also had a good look at the Rigby Highland stalker. Basically the same rifle - hardly surprising since Mauser own Rigby. Rigby has a more English style stock finished in London, Mauser is finished in Germany.

And don’t understand the comments re it not being a usable rifle cos of wooden stock. Well I have a 50 year old Rigby in my gun cupboard - it has shot many many deer. Yes the bluing is somewhat worn, and the stock has a few dents, but I take it out quite regularly but do take care. I don’t through it on the back of a quad, or use it as a walking stick. Its an heirloom and I am using it and looking after it for future generations. I have changed the original 4x36 Scope for a Leica, but original scope can go back on very easily.

And it shoots very well.4760CEFF-6711-4286-8640-85BF0508B21E.webp3C3541FF-4741-4FE7-AE79-B35F4759A2DA.webp
 
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
I’m a great fan of Trevors work (I own 4!) but like many smiths his work was variable. His soldered mounts are a thing of beauty on an 09 Argy but to grind the dovetails off a Sako is pretty mad. The examples of this that I’ve seen end up with a visible line where the dovetails were and the scope higher than Sako lows. Also retail of such a rifle is about 20% of that price!
 
I am not sure but I was told that Gottfried Prectyl builds the actions for a lot of the high end Mausers. They are things of great beauty
 
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.
Is that a Proctor ?
 
Would a Zastava tidied up and possibly restocked do the same job?
I would suggest that we collectively burnt you at the stake as a heretic but you have a very good point there. Zastava are really Serbian M98’s. M98’s have been,at different times, built all over Europe, Germany, Poland, Austria, Yugoslavia to name a few. I’m sure it’s possible to buy a Zastava barreled action and have it stocked tastefully. But it may not be what the op wishes for.
 
I see no benefit at all in using any Mauser '98 action rifle with any cartridge of under 57mm length.

You are having to carry that "long" bolt in that "long" action. You might as well then make use of that feature and benefit from selecting a "long" cartridge. In the .22 calibres that would be .22-250 or longer, in .243/6mm that would be 6mm Remington, in the quarter inch size .257 Roberts or .25/06 and in the "sevens" the 7x57 or the .280 Remington or 7x64. The .30 calibre fans? There's only the one choice the .30/06.

As to the nice looking rifle in the OP's initial post it'd be cheaper to take a good used, standard milsurp, 1950's commercial FN or later Santa Barbara commercial action and have a bespoken rifle made.

The rifle my son is using as below cost me all of £60! Mid-barrel two position iron sights, a slimline half length sporter stock and still with its charger guide so it can be clip loaded with five .270 WCF cartridges at the press of a thumb. The other one is a crappy old Parker Hale in 30/06 with a rubbish Santa Barbara action...


NLRIFLE.jpg
 
The Zastava actions are made on the same machinery that FN made their civilian M98 actions. One of the best ones made.
Zastava bought their machines when FN stopped making M98s.
So, yes a few hours of polishing the right parts by a competent gunsmith will make very nice rifle.

Since we are not allowed unlimited rifles, I am very choosy when it comes to rifles.
And I wouldn't want a M98 action without square bridges / dovetail on top.

Its just sloppy work machining all those nocks and crannies on a M98, just to leave it round on top, and drill and tap for scope.
The best civilian actions Obernodorf made, where with square bridges on top to attach optics to.
 
Its just sloppy work machining all those nocks and crannies on a M98, just to leave it round on top, and drill and tap for scope.
I disagree. The rifles were originally designed for open sights, with glass being a secondary consideration. Integral bases are fine for modern rifles (and fashions have changed dramatically since the inception of the 98, as have the available scope options), but for a classic it makes sense to leave the design in its original incarnation
 
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For similar money you could probably have a rifle custom made from Ferlach.
I thought a Rifles from there is more in the £50K starting point? I have never actually seen one for sale but I know how much there shotguns costs and it is comparative to Boss or H&H.
 
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