I have rebuilt and restocked numerous rifles over the years, mostly military surplus pieces. Some turned out very nice, other were… well, a learning experience. As I am getting old and really don’t plan on acquiring too many more guns, the chances are I won’t be building any more custom rifles. I have enough at this point. Maybe I have too many, in fact.
But recently I did get the urge to build one more Mauser. I started with a commercial 98 action I bought off GunBroker. It came new in the box with dual set triggers. I asked around and located a Douglas barrel in .30-06. I sent the action and barrel to my favorite gunsmith to be mated and to have a Williams front sight mounted and a front sling swivel put on a pedestal mount on the barrel. In the past all of my projects used banded front sights and swivel mounts (for that safari rifle look), but I felt like being different, this time. The rear sight is a Lyman receiver unit that looks right at home on the Mauser.
I envisioned a European look so a semi-inletted stock of English walnut in the European style was obtained. After getting the barreled action to fit properly, I finished the wood by sanding with 60, 100, 150, 220 and 320 grit paper. Several coats of hand-rubbed clear stain sealed the grain leaving a warm, natural look. I fitted a checkered steel butt-plate to finish it off.
I am fairly pleased with the result. The stock is very straight-grained and fits me like it was made for me… which it was. One final touch to enhance the European feel was to stamp the barrel 7.62X63 rather than the customary .30-06.
The total investment in this project was around $750. I probably could have bought a similar rifle for a little less but this one is brand new and built to suit me. Unfortunately the wife decreed that we will be painting the hallway this weekend so I will have to wait for some range testing. I hope it shoots as good as it looks.
My Newest 98
Detail of Action
But recently I did get the urge to build one more Mauser. I started with a commercial 98 action I bought off GunBroker. It came new in the box with dual set triggers. I asked around and located a Douglas barrel in .30-06. I sent the action and barrel to my favorite gunsmith to be mated and to have a Williams front sight mounted and a front sling swivel put on a pedestal mount on the barrel. In the past all of my projects used banded front sights and swivel mounts (for that safari rifle look), but I felt like being different, this time. The rear sight is a Lyman receiver unit that looks right at home on the Mauser.
I envisioned a European look so a semi-inletted stock of English walnut in the European style was obtained. After getting the barreled action to fit properly, I finished the wood by sanding with 60, 100, 150, 220 and 320 grit paper. Several coats of hand-rubbed clear stain sealed the grain leaving a warm, natural look. I fitted a checkered steel butt-plate to finish it off.
I am fairly pleased with the result. The stock is very straight-grained and fits me like it was made for me… which it was. One final touch to enhance the European feel was to stamp the barrel 7.62X63 rather than the customary .30-06.
The total investment in this project was around $750. I probably could have bought a similar rifle for a little less but this one is brand new and built to suit me. Unfortunately the wife decreed that we will be painting the hallway this weekend so I will have to wait for some range testing. I hope it shoots as good as it looks.
My Newest 98
Detail of Action
