Dang,

First load shot, 175gr Sierra, 44 gr AAC 2495BR, WLRM, RP cases, mil sights....under 5/8" at 100 yds with my brother's 58 year old eyes. He shot another just like it to prove that it wasn't a fluke.

I find that downright amazing for a $99 (total) cost rifle. MV was only 2430 fps, but I'm sure that (rather I hope that :-) loads can be found that are just as accurate and are a bit hotter, though performance w/the Sierra isn't shabby @ 2430.

I don't have details on the Turkish Mausers, but I understand that they have a receiver front ring that is between the size of the small ring actions and the large. Can someone confirm that for me? I can measure this action, but haven't another 98 to compare it to.

Hows about scope mounts? I know that I can mess around and find some Weaver-types that will work, but it would be nice to know if others have done the research and what they found out.

It would be interesting to take this thing antelope hunting with nothing done except turning the bolt handle down and mounting a scope!!! For sure I will take it to the 1000yd range in Oak Ridge to see how it does there :-)

Any wisdom on the scope mounting would be appreciated.

Cheers/buffler

My dad put some scope mounts on one, I believe that he just used the standard '98' mauser base.

I think that the receiver rings are full-diameter, but the barrel threads are smaller. What is the diameter of the receiver ring? That will tell you.....

Only thing wrong with Turkish mausers is the Turkish milsurp ammo sold with them. Not very accurate in any rifle I've tried.
The Turks are a mixed bag. They originally purchased 1889 and 1893 rifles in 7.65x53. later the Turks bought (and bought the rights to) 1898 based rifles, in 8x57. They then converted most of their 1893 rifles from 7.65x53 to 8x57. Now, when arms were rearsenaled, they had a bunch of parts from different models. You can find Turkish 1893s in 8x57 (small rings), you can find 1898 actioned (I think M1902) rifles (large rings), and you can find 1898 actioned rifles that are large ring models, but the barrel threads are the same as the small rings. Very confusing to most folks, including me.
Look for the third lug on the bolt. If it is there, you have a large ring action, and will have no problems with it. If you there is NO third lug, you have an 1893 action. I would be kinda leary of shooting mil-spec 8x57 in these, although the Turks did it for years. Should be safe enough with US SAAMI spec ammo. If you are going to rebarel a large ring Turk, don't order a barrel until the old one is removed and you can see what size to order.
If you are going to bend the bolt, B-Square makes a mount that fits 1898s for about $12.

On a large ring Mauser, the front ring measures 1.3 inches across. 1.1 on a small ring.
If you have a large ring Mauser, any 98 Mauser scope base will work- everybody makes one.

Thanks all for the good information. I knew from the start that I had a '98; third lug, cock on opening and all that rot. But I had some misinformation about the ring size.

This one is 1.412", so it is a large ring. Makes it all easy :-)

Cheers/buffler ;)

Ray,

I was leaning that way, as I like the originality, and this is a *beautiful* example. However, the Scout mounts I've found are more expensive than a good conventional mount/rings plus having the handle forged (I drill & tap myself). Plus, the LER scopes are more coltly for a given specification. Additionally, I have conventional scopes around.

So, if you know of a reasonably-priced Scout mount, I'd like to hear of it, otherwise, I think I'll be modifying this one.

Cheers/buffler

Ray,

I like that solution, and it was the first I thought of. However, I have cataracts and must have POWER to see the target. If I can ever afford the surgery, I'll be back to using apertures again.

cheers/buffler

I bought a scout scope mount for my Yugo Mauser from Brownells for less than $50.00. Rings included.
I don't know if thats inexpensive enough for you, but you'd still need the LER scope. I got a 2-7X Burris on mine. Also put on a Timney trigger.

Luis,

$50 is certainly less than the price of bases, rings, and bolt handle turning. I'll have a look at Brownell's and Burris prices.
Might still go conventional, as I'm thinking of buying forging blocks since I'll likely have other Mausers to do later.

Thanks/buffler

How many shots? Did you save the target? That's impressive shooting for an old military rifle with iron sights. All the best...
Gil

Gil,

both were three-shot groups. I thought of welding up the bbl after the first one so we wouldn't ever wonder if it was a fluke :-) But, my brother sneaked out and did a rerun before I had a chance to plug in the welder, so we know that it will do it again, at least once.

I live near a 1000yd range, so a friend who is a member is going to see if it will do a 6" group at 1000 after I scope it :-)

Cheers/buffler

I have a 38 Turk that was already sportered, bent bolt drilled and tapped, and a synthetic stock. I picked it all up for $200 Canadian. I am curently using 170g Hornady's, pushed by IMR4064, at a speed of 2650. There is no preasure signs, and it groups all shots into 1 1/2" at 100 yards. I have the scope mounted as low as possable and and find this works best for me. If you don't mind drilling your rifle, I think this is the way to go.

Depending on what you like you might want to consider the Advanced Technology after market stock for the 98. I bought 7 of the 98 Turks and split them up with a friend of mine. Our cost after shipping and dealer mark up was $55 ea. I cut the barrel back to 22 inches and mounted one in the ATI stock that has a built in "upper rail" or handgaurd with cuts for Weaver style bases from front to rear. I mounted a 1.5x T/C handgun scope in the forward "scout" position and did not have to bend the bolt. Stock was $70 from Cheaper Than Dirt, mounts were about $12 from Wally World and I had the scope already. I have been pleased with this set up so far. Only complaints are that the weight is about the same as the full military version and you cannot use stripper clips since the scope rail blocks the loading slot.

Accuracy with my handloads using 185 grain Remington Corelock bullets and 51 grains of IMR 4350 has been about 3/4 inch at 50 yards. Thats shooting with the military trigger from a squat over the tailgate of a pick-up truck!

For a setup that cost me less than $140, I'm thrilled! I am looking forward to trying it at longer ranges.

Reb

I shot a few 195g Hornady's yesterday and was very happy with them. One load was using IMR4064, at around 2550 fps. It was sub 1" groups at 100 yards.

Took this pic of the Turk in the ATI stock for those that might be interested. Hope the photos turn out.

Reb