I have a chance to pick up a Mitchell Mauser. I know that there is some ethics problem with the products as to the remarked numbers etc. My question, will the 98 Mitchell Mauser action work for a build. I am thinking only about a 308 or a 30/06. Any idea on this subject? Thanks for the help.
Not worth it as a build anymore. Just get a ruger in 308.
Unless you wanna project-even then a used mauser will suffice for 1/2 the price of a mitchell.
BMT
The majority of Mitchell mausers are built for people that don't understand surplus rifles may have actually been used.
Trying to sporterize a military surplus rifle is usually considered to be the best way to take a $400 dollar rifle and spend $600 to end up with a rifle worth $250.
If you want to do a build, find a used Remington for a donor. It will be cheaper.
That is true, sort of. If you prefer a true sporterized mauser action done right, there is no substitute. They are my favorite, and I have more than a handful. You can't sell them for what you put into them, but the same goes with cars.
I'll warn you, you'll end up spending $1500+ once you do the action, safety, trigger, barrel, stock and finish.
Remington donor is cheaper, and has a faster lock time, but is not a Mauser!
The majority of Mitchell mausers are built for people that don't understand surplus rifles may have actually been used.
Trying to sporterize a military surplus rifle is usually considered to be the best way to take a $400 dollar rifle and spend $600 to end up with a rifle worth $250.
If you want to do a build, find a used Remington for a donor. It will be cheaper.
Been there, done that. It's like magic, you can turn a silk purse into a sow's ear and ruin a collector's item.
What is the background story on Mitchell Mausers?
Nice looking, but overpriced.
If you don't have a Kraut yet, I would consider them, but otherwise if you want a donor, haunt the pawn shops or Gunbroker et al. You might score a nice commercial for the same dollars, or even a decent sporterized unit in the caliber you already want.
Don't bother with a Mitchell if you're lookin' to do a build. Scan the 'net auction sites for an already buggered up M98 to build on. Since you're gonna do a build all you really care about is getting a decent action. For the most part even the buggered up sporterized M98s still have good actions and come in way lower in price than a Mitchell.
Find a commercial action preferably an FN
Like anything...if the price is right, then go for it. I picked up a used Mauser for cheap - $150. I figured out later it is a Mitchell. The thing is accurate and looks great on the outside. It does have a pitted bore but the thing hit what it is aiming at out to 300 yds as long as I do my part.
I was looking for a period piece and not anything collectable.
RH
I've seen a lot of beautiful Belgian Browning Safari Grades built on Mauser actions. Beautiful rifles.
I've seen a lot of beautiful Belgian Browning Safari Grades built on Mauser actions. Beautiful rifles.
Those are commercial FN actions or Sako actions,not military.
Actually there are many sources for a good commercial Mauser action that would put you way ahead of the Game,JC Higgens ,H&R,Smith &Wesson,Colt all used Commercial FN or Sako actions at some time during the 50`s and 60`s.FN offered a rifle called the Musketeer for sale here in the 50`s.Husqvarna made and bought commercial 98 actions.Mark 10 made a decent Mauser action.I see these type Rifles at Gunshows all the time for reasonable prices.Another way to go is I see Winchesters right here in the Classifieds at some rediculous low prices.
What is the background story on Mitchell Mausers?
The boys over at gunboards.com dont think highly of them.
I've seen a lot of beautiful Belgian Browning Safari Grades built on Mauser actions. Beautiful rifles.
+1 My favorite rifle all around..love the fit & the look