School me on M98 actions

[mdwest]

I may be wrong but I believe 1909 Argentine actions are held in high regard, I have a full custom 7x57 Ai I build on one and it it a fine rifle. I also have a 220 wby rocket heavy varmint gun I built on an fn action with a Palma barrel that is very accurate.

Ive built several rifles using M98 actions. If youre going to go with a former .mil action rather than a commercial action, the Argentine, Brazilian, Czech, and pre-war German actions are all exceptional (assuming they have been cared for over the years, etc)... Ive had great success with all of them..

I think Spanish actions sometimes get a bad rap unnecessarily.. yes, there was a period of time that some of the small ring actions made in spain had some QC issues and were made with soft steel.. but the vast majority are perfectly serviceable.. just check the serial numbers and make sure you arent looking at an action made during the bad years... to my knowledge all of their LR actions (military) are ok... I built a fun little 7x57 carbine on a SR spanish mauser action (that had been transferred to the IDF and rebarreled as a 308.. I then turned it back into a 7x57)... it was a great little gun.. no problems at all with the action..

 

[Nkawu]

Have you considered the Brno ZG47 action? They are highly regarded, and as complete rifles were originally available in 9.3x62. I think a custom based on one of these would make an outstanding hunting rifle. Even the later ZKK action with pop-up peep would be a great base.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I built my 404J on a Czech vz.24 Mauser clone. One of the best if not the best 98 Mauser clones. I used Parkwest 3-position safety. Good price. However if I had it to do over, I would go with Myers version of the Ed Lapour safety. Parkwest are held together with a pressed in pin that tended to fall out. Myers uses a fine screw like Winchester did. The screw is likely to be more stable and easier to disassemble if needed.

Don't discount the 03A3 Springfield action. Very smooth and very strong. Myers also makes safety for Springfield but pricey because it requires a new striker.

Dad built this Springfield for me in 1962. It has killed hundreds of animals. Only a coyote this year.

 

[Noah_McCoy]

I would not look away from a crf model 70 action, if you keep an eye out you may find one for cheaper than you could buy a M98 and have wing safety fitted.

 

[MS 9x56]

Also, anyone can tell me something about these proof marks?View attachment 730663

Looks like British proof marks.

 

[MS 9x56]

Outside of the WWII years I have never seen or heard of a bad 98 action.

 

[ftothfadd]

Guys, so many options. I am getting a bit lost. It looks there are several desirable actions out there. Maybe I should just look for any (?) 9.3x62 available and go from there? I am just trying to find one which did not have some funky side mounts etc drilled on the receiver. I was also set on commercial receivers, but then I see even bespoke Rigby rifles stocked on military looking actions with the stripper clip cut out. So many options.

 

[ftothfadd]

Ive built several rifles using M98 actions. If youre going to go with a former .mil action rather than a commercial action, the Argentine, Brazilian, Czech, and pre-war German actions are all exceptional (assuming they have been cared for over the years, etc)... Ive had great success with all of them..

I think Spanish actions sometimes get a bad rap unnecessarily.. yes, there was a period of time that some of the small ring actions made in spain had some QC issues and were made with soft steel.. but the vast majority are perfectly serviceable.. just check the serial numbers and make sure you arent looking at an action made during the bad years... to my knowledge all of their LR actions (military) are ok... I built a fun little 7x57 carbine on a SR spanish mauser action (that had been transferred to the IDF and rebarreled as a 308.. I then turned it back into a 7x57)... it was a great little gun.. no problems at all with the action..

Thank you for your information. Where can I find information about the serial numbers of Spanish actions to be avoided, if they are at hand by any chance? The number on the action I was looking at is R51145...

 

[mdwest]

Its been several years, but there was an online resource available the last time I looked.. I found it through a link in a thread on one of the mauser forums I believe..

the "soft steel" mausers were largely isolated to the 1893 and 1916 rifles (both small ring).. although some will tell you that some of the large rings manufactured in spain in the 1920's and 1930's also had "soft" steel..

if youre not talking about a high pressure cartridge, "soft steel" really shouldnt matter at all.. if youre looking at chambering for a more modern, higher pressure cartridge you may want to be careful (a 7x57 at 49K PSI shouldnt be an issue in any action for example.. where a 308 winchester at 62K might be an issue)..

 

[Delloro]

Guys, so many options. I am getting a bit lost. It looks there are several desirable actions out there. Maybe I should just look for any (?) 9.3x62 available and go from there? I am just trying to find one which did not have some funky side mounts etc drilled on the receiver. I was also set on commercial receivers, but then I see even bespoke Rigby rifles stocked on military looking actions with the stripper clip cut out. So many options.

You will be time and money ahead buying a rifle already set up for a scope.

A husqvarna in 9.3x57 is easily rechambered. One in .30-06 or 8mm is easily rebored.

A J.C. Higgins model 50 is easliy rebarreled.

Simpsons has huskies.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

Have a look for a brno zg47 action, i have a 9.3x62 built on one and it is an outstanding action for that caliber, i like the 24 in barrel for this caliber, you get the most out of it.

 

[Lance Hopper]

PM sent

 

[rdog]

I would not hesitate on building a 9.3x62 on a Zastava M70 ACTION i have 3 Zastavas 375 H&H , 6,5X55 & A 9,3X62. factory rifles they are All modern steel no plastic, adjustable trigger, no drilling or taping or bolt handle mods req. Actions are a bit rough but smooth up, very good bluing. They do a 9,3x62 factory rifle . i am told the M70 M98 are no longer in production so hurry up if you want one.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I would highly recommend the original German military surplus Mauser Oberndorf Model 98 actions. I own a beautiful 7x57mm Mauser Churchill Gun Makers Model Deluxe which in built from just such an action (with the stripper clip feeding guides ground down). The action of mine was produced in 1943.

 

[ftothfadd]

So this is the same Spanish action I alluded to earlier. It seems to have an unusual safety anybody can help supplying some more information about the action? IS this an aftermarket safety?

 

[MS 9x56]

The safety is the winchester model 70 type wing safety. As for the action we would need top view and picture of markings on the back side of the action.

 

[baxterb]

The safety is the winchester model 70 type wing safety. As for the action we would need top view and picture of markings on the back side of the action.

I actually don’t think it’s a 3-pos. I think it’s a 2-pos similar to a Wisner as it looks to be the original shroud.

 

[roklok]

I actually don’t think it’s a 3-pos. I think it’s a 2-pos similar to a Wisner as it looks to be the original shroud.

Yes, this is correct. This appears to be a 2 position wing safety that uses a modified military shroud.

 

[ftothfadd]

Thank you all

 

[ftothfadd]

Guys, apologize for the slew of questions. You can probably tell I am actively hunting for a rifle. Next odd question, I found a pretty nice FN mauser with a pristine action and a decent stock. My only concern is that the stock has a side mount peep sight cutout. Is this something that can be repaired with a decent cosmetic outcome. I doubt but it does not hurt to ask...
Thank you