Mauser 98 barrels

[scoobydoo6906]

I have a commercial Mauser 98 thats chambered in 30-06 and the bore is pretty much toast. so I am looking to replace it. I need suggests on good barrels that are not super spendy. I would also like to get a idea also of what its going to cost to have a gunsmith fit the barrel. I realize thats going to very a bit but I am just lookin for a basic understanding is all.

 

[Crankylove]

Adams and Bennett barrells seem to be a pretty good value from the ones I have seen. Good quality, and they have a good selection for the Mauser actions. My little brother picked one up in .35 Whelen a few months ago for under $100, and was happy with it. As for what it will cost to fit it to the action........it all depends on the smith you take it to. Best bet is to call around locally, and spend some time on the net comparing services and prices.

 

[Scorch]

A&B barrels are pretty good barrels, better than the typical factory barrel. Most gunsmiths will charge you about $75-$100 to fit it, depending on a lot of things.

 

[Catfish25p2000]

If you troll benchrest forums, you can find brand new Savage and Remington take offs pretty cheap. These guys buy the guns for the actions and take the brand new barrels off to replace with a match barrel. Savage makes a hell of a barrel right out of the box.

 

[James K]

Good idea, but trying to use a takeoff barrel from another make of rifle is probably not going to work. Most of the barrel makers have pre-threaded short chambered barrels for the 98 Mauser, and that is the way most folks go.

Jim

 

[GeauxTide]

ER Shaw

Best barrel for the money out there. Shoots cloverleaf groups.

 

[rocklock]

+1 on Shaw barrels. They advertise as to working on military turnbolts as well as modern sporters, mentioning mausers as one of the military models. You send them your barreled action, they return it with a new barrel of your choice, headspaced and ready to go, for what I think is a reasonable price. Good craftsmanship and attention to detail also.

 

[ForneyRider]

My brother has a Douglas barrel on his VZ24 in 308 Win. Very accurate.

 

[brian923]

for target practice or hunting.

adams and bennet barrels are awsome barrels for there price. they can be very accurate from the factory, and with a bit of work, like lapping, and elbow grease, can be made even more accurate. if you want a target barrel, i would stick to high quality barrel makers. lother walther makes very good mauser barrels. douglas and hart are good, and shilian and er shaw arnt bad.

 

[apr1775]

Remington and Savage take off barrels won't work for most 1898 mausers. Most 1898 type Mausers use a 1.10-12tpi barrel thread which a larger diameter than the take off barrels. There are some exceptions such as the Turkish mausers which use a small ring mauser barrel thread, 0.980-12tpi. The take off barrels can be used but you need a lathe and basic machinist skills.

If you have access to the tools needed to do your own barrel change (barrel vice, action wrench, chamber reamer, and headspace guages) the A&B barrels are a great way to go provided your not expecting competion grade accuracy. If you need the whole job done, I agree with contacting E R Shaw.

I've seen barrels that looked "shot out" until they had a good cleaning.

 

[10-96]

I've seen barrels that looked "shot out" until they had a good cleaning.

Good point. I've also seen bbls improve by leaps and bounds simply by having the crown set back or dressed.

 

[Clark]

I have been rebarrelling 98 Mausers for 10 years.
I am an amateur gunsmith, and have only done a couple dozen.

I have become convinced that the minimum barrels worth working on are factory stress relieved and factory lapped.

Why pay $250 for a tapered barrel blank?

I concede that some cheap barrels will shoot straight when hot and are slow to Copper foul. But most often, the whole project is a waste of time.

I know lots of millionaires who get a dozen shots, and then need to clean Copper.
Why?
They can afford a good barrel.