Cody Cottengim
Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2018
- Messages
- 4
i got this rifle from my father but I don’t know what model it is , any help would be great
FN 30-06 help
- Thread starter Cody Cottengim
- Start date
-
- Tags
- 30-06
- Status
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Well, it's a Belgian FN commercial model 98 Mauser. Probably late '50s-early '80s production.
The model 1898 is considered by many to be the penultimate bolt action and is unrivalled for strength, smoothness, and reliability. It has been used by hundreds of thousands of hunters and the military of nearly every nation on Earth at one time or another in a myriad of calibers.
Great rifle, a keeper!
The model 1898 is considered by many to be the penultimate bolt action and is unrivalled for strength, smoothness, and reliability. It has been used by hundreds of thousands of hunters and the military of nearly every nation on Earth at one time or another in a myriad of calibers.
Great rifle, a keeper!
OP
OP
Cody Cottengim
Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2018
- Messages
- 4
Thanks for the quick Response, I appreciate the info, how did you come about this info?
sage5907
Member
If the safety lever is on top of the bolt shroud it is called an FN Mauser DeLuxe action which was made in Belgium. If the safety is on the side of the stock it is called an FN Mauser Supreme action. Around 1957 the standard Mauser action became the DeLuxe action and about 1964 the DeLuxe action became the Supreme action. Just looking at your rifle without seeing the bolt sleeve I would say it's a DeLuxe action. That would indicate it was made between 1957 and 1964. If you wanted to know the exact year there is some stamping on the action that would indicate the year and it is designated by a single "letter." Each letter was a different year. If you get time post a picture of the bolt shroud.
OP
OP
Cody Cottengim
Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2018
- Messages
- 4
Thanks so much, I was really wanting to go with an aftermarket stock but every one I emailed needed more info then fn 30-06. So thank you very much. If you have any info on a good company for aftermarket stocks for the range that would be great
OP
OP
Cody Cottengim
Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2018
- Messages
- 4
sage5907
Member
Thanks for the picture. It is an FN Mauser DeLuxe action probably manufactured between 1948 and 1964. The Greek letter Alpha was used to indicate the year 1948, 1949 was Beta, going up through 1961. In 1962 the small case "a" was used, 1963 was "b." through the following years. I think the letter is on the bottom of the receiver ring. I really like those old Mauser stocks and if I were you I would just add a 1 inch thick black Pachmayr Decelerator medium 752B recoil pad to the existing stock and shoot it as is. A 13 1/2 inch length of pull is standard unless you need something shorter or longer. A Leupold 3 to 9 variable scope with a duplex reticle and a 40 MM objective would be good. Just a hint, you can use a low mounted scope if you only lift the safety lever half way up so you can move it off safety with a low mounted scope. That should be a really good rifle. It hasn't been shot much because the bolt lug race is very clean.
Last edited:
I would have liked to own an FN Deluxe in 30-06:
Unfortunately, the one I have is in 270 Win
A previous owner installed the rubber buttpad, and that is just fine, it does reduce the recoil. The FN Deluxe was an expensive rifle in the 1950's. Without a Lyman 48WJS on the receiver, the suggested retail price for a M70 was $109.50, with the sight, $123.25 in 1951.
In today's money, a $109.50 rifle then, would cost you, $1.073, a $123.25 M70 with irons, $1,208, and the FN Deluxe, without sights, $1,348. You paid about $300 more for an equivalent FN than a Win M70.
If you don't like the stock, don't whittle on it, or toss it out. Original FN Mauser Deluxe stocks are expensive. Mine has a chrome lined barrel so don't use a gunpowder solvent that is a copper solvent. Might attack the copper under the chrome and cause the chrome to peel. Or at least that is what I have heard, and I don't want to find out.
If you don't like your scope and mounts, you can look on fleabay and find Weaver mounts that will fit the FN commercial rifles. Mine came with Redfield Mounts, but you know, I prefer Weaver type now, because I can take the scope off, and put it back on, without a major re zeroing effort.
Unfortunately, the one I have is in 270 Win
A previous owner installed the rubber buttpad, and that is just fine, it does reduce the recoil. The FN Deluxe was an expensive rifle in the 1950's. Without a Lyman 48WJS on the receiver, the suggested retail price for a M70 was $109.50, with the sight, $123.25 in 1951.
In today's money, a $109.50 rifle then, would cost you, $1.073, a $123.25 M70 with irons, $1,208, and the FN Deluxe, without sights, $1,348. You paid about $300 more for an equivalent FN than a Win M70.
If you don't like the stock, don't whittle on it, or toss it out. Original FN Mauser Deluxe stocks are expensive. Mine has a chrome lined barrel so don't use a gunpowder solvent that is a copper solvent. Might attack the copper under the chrome and cause the chrome to peel. Or at least that is what I have heard, and I don't want to find out.
If you don't like your scope and mounts, you can look on fleabay and find Weaver mounts that will fit the FN commercial rifles. Mine came with Redfield Mounts, but you know, I prefer Weaver type now, because I can take the scope off, and put it back on, without a major re zeroing effort.
Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,228
Me too. A friend has one and I covet it.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Ya, aside from adding a rubber pad (NOT a slip- on, these will ruin the wood underneath) like Slamfire's, I would highly recommend leaving the factory wood alone as it would significantly hurt the value and may disturb the bedding of the action into the stock, hurting accuracy.
If you absolutely must change the stock, retain the old one and any hardware.
Good luck, and welcome to the forum!
If you absolutely must change the stock, retain the old one and any hardware.
Good luck, and welcome to the forum!
Offfhand
Member.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 2,442
During the 1950's and well into the '60's the M-98 Mauser style actions were made by a number of different European gunmakers, with the best being those made by FN. Eager to re-establish themselves in the postwar market, FN sold these actions to a number of different importers and gunmakers who produced finished rifles of varying quality. The finished rifles by FN were offered in different grades and calibers with the Deluxe Grade as shown by Mr. Slamfire, and in attached photos being the best finished (Except for higher, special order engraved models.) An identifying feature of the Deluxe grade was the beaded border at bottom of checkered grip panel, shown in attached photo, and stepped barrel contour. Double set triggers were a desired feature. They came with Lyman receiver sight but were not drilled for scope rings. Scope accommodation being completed by independent gunsmiths. Lower grades had less elaborate stocks and checkering patterns, as shown in photo camparison of two different FN grades. An American finished bargain priced rifle sold by Sears also used the same FN action and these are the variations most often seen.
Last edited:
Sweet rifles! Mine came in the form of a JC Higgins model 50 chambered in 30-06. I'd never heard of them but the FN stamp on the action spoke louder than the Sears stamp on the barrel. Snatched it up for $225 bucks. Still feels like a steal although the rifle doesn't match the beauty of the above pics.
sage5907
Member
hillman23, there's a JC Higgins Model 50 stock for sale on eBay right now. Go buy it for an upgrade if you need a better stock. The price was very reasonable.
Thanks for the heads up, Sage
- Status
