Need some expertise on a 98k I just got please
- Thread starter shotgunJB
- Start date
tomhorn1913
Active member
Sounds like you did well -
As far as ammo, lemme throw out a caveat. .308 & 7.62x51 are NOT the same. Commercial .308 loadings develop considerably higher chamber pressures than 7.62x51 military loads. Most of this results from the thicker casings (safety factor) on the military cartridges, which translates into a smaller powder charge. Many of the military loadings used lighter bullets (150 gr range), while modern .308 hunting loads frequently push 175-180 gr projectiles. This further increases pressure levels.
No one is gonna argue that the 98 Mauser is a VERY strong action. BUT, you ARE dealing w/a firearm that is over 60 years old, which was produced at the end of the war, when QC might not have been as thorough as everyone liked, AND the rifle has been modified from its original chambering. So while the basic 98 action is plenty sturdy to handle commercial .308 chamberings, you have enough variables in place to make your situation different from John Q. Public buying a new Czech 98 @ Wally World & loading up w/fresh .308 hunting ammo. It would certainly be worth your while to search out some military surplus 7.62x51 (gunshow, gunshop, online), & do a little range testing w/your rifle. Fire a round, check the function of the action (is it difficult to open the bolt?), examine the case for trouble signs (splits, bulges, blown-out primer, case separation?), & work your way up to commercial ammo, if that's what you prefer to shoot.
Be safe.
Best,
Matt
As far as ammo, lemme throw out a caveat. .308 & 7.62x51 are NOT the same. Commercial .308 loadings develop considerably higher chamber pressures than 7.62x51 military loads. Most of this results from the thicker casings (safety factor) on the military cartridges, which translates into a smaller powder charge. Many of the military loadings used lighter bullets (150 gr range), while modern .308 hunting loads frequently push 175-180 gr projectiles. This further increases pressure levels.
No one is gonna argue that the 98 Mauser is a VERY strong action. BUT, you ARE dealing w/a firearm that is over 60 years old, which was produced at the end of the war, when QC might not have been as thorough as everyone liked, AND the rifle has been modified from its original chambering. So while the basic 98 action is plenty sturdy to handle commercial .308 chamberings, you have enough variables in place to make your situation different from John Q. Public buying a new Czech 98 @ Wally World & loading up w/fresh .308 hunting ammo. It would certainly be worth your while to search out some military surplus 7.62x51 (gunshow, gunshop, online), & do a little range testing w/your rifle. Fire a round, check the function of the action (is it difficult to open the bolt?), examine the case for trouble signs (splits, bulges, blown-out primer, case separation?), & work your way up to commercial ammo, if that's what you prefer to shoot.
Be safe.
Best,
Matt