Mauser k98 to 9.3x62

[csmcclain]

Found a good deal on a 1940 German Mauser (still with the eagle stamp) that was sporterized and rechambered in .300 win mag. Looking to buy it and chamber it in 9.3x62. Reading around online and some people are saying it’s just as simple as buying a prefit barrel while others are acting like a ton of work would need to go into this. Does anyone here actually have experience or know? If 9.3 isn’t an easy option, are there any other caliber suggestions that you might have? Thanks!

 

[1dirthawker]

a 300 win has a different bolt face.

a 3006 has the same bolt face as the 9.3x62 and many people start at the 06 and rebarrel.

 

[csmcclain]

a 300 win has a different bolt face.

a 3006 has the same bolt face as the 9.3x62 and many people start at the 06 and rebarrel.

So then what would my options be with a .300 win mag bolt face? .338 win mag and .375 h&h, I presume?

Going to ensure it isn’t a .30-06 before I order any barrels. The barrel is just stamped “.300” and the pawn shop has it marked as a .300 WSM. I was just assuming it was a .300 WM as this pawn shop knows nothing of firearms and makes errors regularly, so that caliber made the most sense in this situation to me.

 

[baxterb]

If it’s a 300 Win and you don’t like that the 338 would be about the only thing realistically left. If it’s a WSM..well…

I do not think a 375 would be cost effective. You are essentially buying an action as everything else will be tossed.

 

[Hoofnit]

There are still lots of standard 98 bolts around although somewhat more expensive than they once were, it is possible to buy one, and you can probably sell the one you have for the same money. 98 Mauser rifles with matching parts are rare as they were mostly all overhauled by various armories over years. A pre fit barrel still requires a lathe or a chamber reamer if it’s short chambered, so if you’re handy with the tools it can be done at home…

 

[1dirthawker]

first,

you better figure out what rifle it actually is.

the 300 win could be turned into a .338 win which is a fine rifle. action is likely too short for the 375 H&H. the 375 ruger might fit though.

good luck with the project.

 

[9Point3]

Find some 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag brass or ammo and see what chambers. Or, measure the opening in the receiver. Do you get <3”, >3.3” or closer to 3.5”.

I took a 30-06 (.473) bolt face and rebarreled it to a 9.3x62mm. No feed rail mods. It is a great shooter. It’s the green stocked rifle in my avatar next to my PH’s 450 Rigby.

If the action is a magnum bolt face (.532) then cartridge offerings are in magnum BF cartridges. So, let’s start here and work forward. What game are you interested in hunting with it… Plains Game (PG) or Dangerous Game (DG) or both… 1 rifle safari?

30 cal:
stay 300 WM, bullets and ammo readily available most places
300 WSM, since a long action, you could throat the barrel to shoot 3.1” OAL ammo.
300 PRC, it will have more thump on both ends than a 300WM.
300 SAUM, it bit shorter case than the WSM but you can seat longer bullets further out and get more FPS (if you need).

7mm:
7mm Mag, slightly less than a 3000WM
7 PRC
7 SAUM

416:
416 Taylor
416 Ruger

458:
458 WM, 458 LOTT

It boils down to the game hunted.

 

[Hoofnit]

375 h&h fits in a standard 98 just fine as does the 404… they require altering the feed rails and a correct magazine box but work fine…

 

[GuttormG]

Find another gun to build from , starting with someone elses unknown project is never a good idea.

 

[csmcclain]

Find some 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag brass or ammo and see what chambers. Or, measure the opening in the receiver. Do you get <3”, >3.3” or closer to 3.5”.

I took a 30-06 (.473) bolt face and rebarreled it to a 9.3x62mm. No feed rail mods. It is a great shooter. It’s the green stocked rifle in my avatar next to my PH’s 450 Rigby.

If the action is a magnum bolt face (.532) then cartridge offerings are in magnum BF cartridges. So, let’s start here and work forward. What game are you interested in hunting with it… Plains Game (PG) or Dangerous Game (DG) or both… 1 rifle safari?

30 cal:
stay 300 WM, bullets and ammo readily available most places
300 WSM, since a long action, you could throat the barrel to shoot 3.1” OAL ammo.
300 PRC, it will have more thump on both ends than a 300WM.
300 SAUM, it bit shorter case than the WSM but you can seat longer bullets further out and get more FPS (if you need).

7mm:
7mm Mag, slightly less than a 3000WM
7 PRC
7 SAUM

416:
416 Taylor
416 Ruger

458:
458 WM, 458 LOTT

It boils down to the game hunted.

This would be a one gun for both, plus screwing around back home. I have plenty of brass, and what you’re talking about is my exact plan.