Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Any Feeding Issues for .308win in M98 Long Action?

I have a M98 action and want to put a 308win barrel on it, wanted to know if there are any feeding issues for the shorter cartridge to be aware before I start? Mag block added, different follower/spring etc.needed?

Thanks.

The Israelis used a LOT of M98's rebarreled to 7.62, never saw one that didn't work, every time. I'd rebarrel and try it.

Worst case scenario you could buy aftermarket bottom metal sized appropriately.

My .22-250 Interarms Mark X flubs the final round occasionally, but holds 5

Mike

My Dad had one on a Mannlicher stock 1908 I believe and never had an issue. Killed 2 bucks once in 3 days. powdr

I had an Israeli M98 that was converted to 7.62 Nato. They put a spacer block in the magazine. It worked, but not as smoothly as a 7.92mm. Sometimes the round would pop up in front of the extractor and the rifle would act like a push feed. They must have beveled the extractor because it always chambered the round OK.

Mauser actions work best when used for the cartridge for which they were originally designed. They can be made to work with others but the outcome is not predictable.

I have two early Browning Safari rifles in .243 and .308. They are small ring Mauser, standard length actions, with a shortened follower in front of a small block at the rear of the magazine box. I have had this matched pair for over thirty years. Neither has ever failed to feed or eject. I use hand loads in the .243 and factory loads in the .308. The pencil barrels are extremely accurate for three shots. I never considered more shots in a group because these are hunting rifles.

"That is all I know about that."

Jack

I wouldn't. Just make it into a 30-06 and load light.

no feeding issues

.
Sounds like it depends on individual guns. Guess I'll go for the .308win and if it causes a problem re-chamber for 06.

Thanks for the responses.

An 06 reamer will not cleanup a 308, you'll have to cut some off the back end of the barrel, just saying.

Throat the chamber for a 178 A-Max at 3.330"

Understood, was planning on leaving enough shank to compensate for the possible change to 06.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

There have been a lot of Parker Hale rifles chambered for .308 and they work well. I currently own one.

I've had 4 of them,no issues at all...now a .284 is a different story, I lost $2000 on a custom 98 that the gunsmith "said" he could get it feed...a real good lesson learned in 1982

Two things. Been there, done that.
Make sure you pull the bolt all the way back to pick up the next round.
If a problem feeding, you can get parts to full some of the mag and make the shorter round fit in the front of the magazine.

Also, the mauser length box can be a little short for the '06 with some bullets if you seat them out all the way to near the rifling.
Tim

My brother has one that is just exactly as you describe. It functions but not smoothly, just don't count on a quick follow-up shot.

drover

My .250 Savage chambered Mauser would mis-feed the last round if not loaded fully to the rear. An Interarms MkX with a blocked magazine (.243) cured that. If it's not for dangerous game it's really a non issue. (IMHO)