lowmileage
Member
I have a 25-06 on a M98 Mauser action that will swallow a no-go AND a field gauge. Is it OK to ask for gunsmith recommendations that maybe could take a look and fix this?
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M98 action from 1938. If what you said happened, can the barrel be salvaged? Cut a thread/rechambered or something?The bolt lug seats in the receiver may have set back.Whoever installed the barrel may have used a cartridge as a headspace gauge.Midway used to maintain a list of gunsmiths who would do rebarreling work.What make of action is it?
Correct.Bolt lugs been peened back? I assume the rattle is front-to-back rather than co-axially?
BTW, there is no economical way to restore it if the receiver lug recesses have deformed. Do you recently buy the rifle or have you been having issues with it?
If it is yours, .25-06 pressure levels are above the 7x57 or 8x57 military chamberings that these were designed for. WWI era receivers are relatively soft metal and can deform under high pressure loads.
If it is new to you, it is possible that someone botched chambering it either by the mfg or whoever installed it, another issue is that when rebarrelling a m98 action (aside from some later commercial m98 variants) you cannot go off of front of the receiver ring but have to have the barrel shank contact the locking ring inside the receiver. Otherwise you get long headspacing because the shoulder of the barrel prevents the barrel from engaging the locking surface. It might also be that the cartridge chamber of the barrel does not match whatever is stamped on it.
The bolt lug seats in the receiver may have set back.
I built this in 1968
The .25-06 Remington had been a wildcat cartridge for half a century before being standardized by Remington in 1969.
.25-06 pressure levels are above the 7x57 or 8x57 military chamberings
Some old actions didnt have a forward stop. With no cartridge in the chamber, the bold would go forward more then normal. Rattle??Bolt lugs been peened back? I assume the rattle is front-to-back rather than co-axially
Google -
So, your chamber may not be standard SAAMI ??
This
63,000 PSI for the 25-06
Or, 2) You might be using your headspace gauges wrong--you can crush fit a headspace gage into a chamber and crush the gage by closing the bolt. There is enough leverage to do that in a lot of bolt actions. The proper way to check the headspace is thorough cleaning of the chamber, lug recesses, bolt face, and chamber face. Remove the firing pin assembly and extractor from the bolt. Then using finger pressure only, gently try to close the bolt. BTW, if you did force the bolt handle closed, you have probably ruined the gage.
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No it is not the case.Your point on the non-standard chamber? I would think the SAAMI chamber would be the same as the chambers of rifles made when the cartridge was a Wildcat. That then is not necessarily the case?
Reamers to cut chambers may be different when there is no standard in place. The SAAMI standard has tolerances in the specifications. About .010" for the chamber. A very small amount. The 25-06, 270 win, 30-06 all have the same head to datum measurement.Your point on the non-standard chamber? I would think the SAAMI chamber would be the same as the chambers of rifles made when the cartridge was a Wildcat. That then is not necessarily the case?
This is not good if shooting factory ammo. A reloader can make adjustments when sizing to compensate for the large chamber.swallow a no-go AND a field gauge.
A reloader can make adjustments when sizing to compensate for the large chamber.
Sorry for the ignorance, do I have to fire form or can I just "load up" test loads and am good to go? Here's the results I was getting before problems started. NOTE: THESE LOADS MAY NOT BE SAFE IN YOUR RIFLE, USE CAUTION. Use reputable loading data from established sources when working up loads.Your photo shows a false shoulder. A good method to fire form wildcat cartridge brass, Check trim length. Load and fire. Measure Head to datum.
swallow a no-go AND a field gauge.
can I just "load up" test loads and am good to go?
The problem being excess headspace? When barrel was installed in 1968, did you personaally check the headspace with gauges?Here's the results I was getting before problems started.
No, not good to go. Imo. The rifle has excessive headspace. Fire forming with the false shoulder, keeps the case head against the bolt face. Less chance of a case separation on firing.
The problem being excess headspace? When barrel was installed in 1968, did you personaally check the headspace with gauges?
If you know for a fact that the headspace has changed from 1968 to now, i would retire the rifle.
I am not a gunsmith, just my opinion. You should seek out a local professional.
Will do, better be safe than sorry. Thanks 243https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/25-06-blowing-primers.821501/
After reading the old post.......
Have a gunsmith set the barrel back and cut a new chamber. But only if the gunsmith knows its safe to do so.