With all of the safety features built into the M 98, like the flanged cocking piece to deflect gas, the gas excape holes, and the way the bolt face encloses the cartridge head, Mr. Mauser must have been aware of many of the shortcomings of ammunition of that period.
There have been many improvements in the way brass is drawn and annealed. In the period the Mauser 98 was designed, cartridge case failure must have been a common problem in all rifles for Mauser to incorporate all of these safety designs in his design.
I know General Hatcher documents many case head failures in Hatcher's Notebook. I think the designers of the Springfield 03 and the Mauser 98 had in mind weak and defective brass when the strength and safety features were designed into their rifles.
Mossburg needs to start over. We now have improvments in the way brass is manufactured and hardened, with the breeching systems of most rifles designed to handle the escaping gas in the rare event of a case failure, or more likely, and over loaded cartridge.
Now, Mossburg needs to figure out a way to prevent their rifles from blowing up with loads that are normal and safe in other rifles.
