Sporterizing a Mauser

[Three_Oh_Eight]

Anyone have any experience sporterizing military Mausers?  My Dad and I found a very clean VZ24 with a very smooth action.  Its not a collecter as non of the serial numbers match and the barrel has import marks.  I'm thinking of using the action to build a custom/semi-custom hunting rifle.  I'm thinking a sporter-weight barrel chambered in 7x57 Mauser and fitted with an NECG barrel-banded front sight and express rear.  I figure the bolt handle will have to be cut off and a new one will have to be welded on to clear a scope.  I'll look for a sporter stock with enough drop in the comb to use the iron sights. 

Any way I do it, it will be a project that will take some time.  Looks expensive overall.

[hunterofelk]

I love the look of a well done Mauser.  I think my affliction for Mauser's goes back to the 6.5 swede my hunting mentor used, I shot my first elk with it.  I wish I had inherited that gun, but his nephew got it.  I have a Spanish 93 in 7x57, use it for a light target rifle.  If you can do all the gunsmith work yourself, it would be time well spent, but if your like me and don't have the tools and time it could get spendy.  Used to be sporterizing an old rifle was the spendthrift way to do it, but now a lot of the economy rifles on the market today cost less than what is put out by your gunsmith.  There are still a lot of replacement parts for Mauser's, Midway USA sells some, Brownell's maybe the best source. 

[FC]

I used to have a sporterized 7x57, before you do anything to it I would find out how accurate it is unmodified but make sure the crown is in good shape, you could be pleasantly surprised. There are triggers and stocks etc readily available at Brownells.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k=mauser+98/t=P/ksubmit=y/Products/All/search=mauser_98

I just used mauser 98 as a search term...lol, if you want to stick with iron sights put (or have put) on a rear aperture sight, it will do wonders.

For the scope route

I would suggest you see a gunsmith to get the scope rings mounted.

bolt conversion http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=76/Product/98_MAUSER_CONVERSION_BOLT_HANDLE

Safety conversion http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6676/Product/M_98_THREE_POSITION_SAFETY_SHROUD

Check out the Carbelite stocks.

[runningboard]

I have a 35 Whelen Ackley Improved built on a '98, love it, but when I 1st got it (already done) the bolt handle broke so I took it to a gunsmith and he forged the bolt for me from a standard bolt I got from a gunshow vendor. he claims it is better & stronger. not gonna argue since it was very well done and clears low-mounted scope just fine.

[Three_Oh_Eight]

I will definitely have a new bolt handle forged on for strength. I intend the rifle to have irons and a scope mounted with quick-detachable Talleys. I don't have the desire to keep it in its current chambering (8mm). I am a big 7x57 fan, so I would naturally have my first Mauser sporter in 7x57. I also want it in a walnut stock. My other hunting rifles are stainless/synthetic and they lack the class of blued steel and a walnut stock.  I wish I could do most of the work myself, but I have very little experience when it comes to some of the things I'd like to have done.  All I've ever done is minor stock work and bedding.

[elk311]

I have a Brazilian sporterized 1934 Czechoslovakian Mauser in 30-06 and it ROCKS!!! Harvested my 6x6 bull Elk and two mulies!!! I replaced the cheap stock with a nice Boyds laminate, Timney trigger and glass beded the barrel. Sweat 3 inch groups (good enough for me) at 200 yds with off-the-shelf ammo. Paid $200 from "Tom's Guns in Tacoma" in 1992. My best hunting equipment purchase ever.

If I'm ever lucky enough to get a bull tag I'll use my Ruger .338 (overkill I know) but for everything else (deer, spike or cow) I grab my trusty sporterized Mauser and ONE round loaded with a 180 grain bullet !!! . If anything legal walks in front of that rifle, meat in the freezer!