A question for the knowledgeable Mauser guys out there.

Is it possible to modify the extractor on a model 98 so that it will snap over the rim of a chambered round? LIke the new Winchester model 70's.

I have a SIamese bolt Mauser modified to 45-70 and I got a round stuck in the tube last weekend at the range. Had to push it out w/ a cleaning rod from the muzzle. This situation would be lousy if it meant loseing a shot at an elk and downright dangerous, if facing a big bear.

Thanks for any ideas.

Yes. Only, if you do this, the extractor will not then be fully reliable - and may (probably will, in fact) slip off of "sticky" cases....and not extract them. Any such modification would require quite a bit of work on the extractor claw. The Mauser extractor doesn't have much "spring" to it (that is, it's VERY stiff)....and I doubt if it could be modified to snap over the cartridge rim by means of enhancing it's bendability...without weakening it too much.

So, though I am sure this could, ultimately, be made to work....I think not without seriously compromising the reliability of the excellent extractor design. IMO, it most certainly is NOT worth it.

The questions begs to be asked....so I'll ask. Why would you want to do this ? Why turn a perfectly good controlled-round feed rifle (the BEST of them all, in fact) ....into a push feeder ??? I see no advantages to this- and lots of disadvantages. Besides, making a push-feeder of your Mauser would not help in any way the stuck case problem you had at the range (Mauser 98s already have the BEST extractor design of any bolt-action rifle - as is)...nor would it offer ANY advantages for the hunting scenarios you described. It sounds as if the extractor was not properly modified to work with the .45-70 case. This is the issue that I would address, if I were you.

One advantage would be the ability to load one more round in the rifle. The other advantage would be if/when a round fails to be picked up properly by the bolt, it could still be fired and extracted. That's what happened to me...the round apparently didn't feed right, but did go down the spout. the bolt wouldn't close down and I couldn't fire the round, or get it out.

I know ideally all rounds would be picked up by the bolt and chambered correctly, but s--t happens, and usually at the worst time.

Well, I agree with Tumbledown.
Next time you get a round in the chamber that the extractor isn't gripping, here's what you do: with the bolt almost closed, so the extractor is touching the head of the round in the chamber, or nearly so, put your thumb against the extractor about in the middle, and press in firmly. That will make the end of the extractor spring out away from the head of the case in the chamber. Keep pressing in firmly, springing the extractor, and slowly close the bolt all the way. When the bolt handle is fully down (bolt fully closed) let go of the extractor- it will snap over the case rim like it's supposed to.
Now when you open the bolt, it'll extract the case.
Practice that a bit, it'll work on any Mauser I've tried it on.

Well, I agree with Tumbledown.
Next time you get a round in the chamber that the extractor isn't gripping, here's what you do: with the bolt almost closed, so the extractor is touching the head of the round in the chamber, or nearly so, put your thumb against the extractor about in the middle, and press in firmly. That will make the end of the extractor spring out away from the head of the case in the chamber. Keep pressing in firmly, springing the extractor, and slowly close the bolt all the way. When the bolt handle is fully down (bolt fully closed) let go of the extractor- it will snap over the case rim like it's supposed to.
Now when you open the bolt, it'll extract the case.
Practice that a bit, it'll work on any Mauser I've tried it on.


Good idea Jack, I've never tried this.

As to loading an extra round, leverite, that is not a problem. Just load 5 rounds in the magazine as usual, then press a sixth round down, on top of the 5 already in the magazine. It won't snap into the magazine, of course, but will depress the mag spring until it bottoms out. Then, holding the round down with your left thumb (using the loading cutout, on the left side of the receiver).....push the bolt closed, carefully. As you push the bolt forward, it should pick up the 6th round just fine. This always works for me.

***OOPS. I just realized...you are using .45/70....so probably fewer rounds will fit in the magazine (fewer than 5). With the (rimmed, I believe) .45/70 case, I can't be sure that this technique will work - but perhaps it's worth a try.

Also, I've found that the issue with rounds not "catching" in the extractor/ bolt face, as they are stripped off the magazine....occurs much more often when the bolt is not pushed forward with authority. This does occasionally happen to me, as well, but always if I don't close the bolt smartly. As to the mechanical cause(s) for this, the geometry of the situation is directly related to the shape of the feed ramp. Since you have your rifle converted to shoot .45/70, I would closely examine the magazine lips and feed ramp, to see if any improvements can be made. The ramp angle may need to be softened, to provide the correct feed geometry. .45/70 bullets are, of course, larger, blunter and shorter than 8mm Mauser bullets. A standard feed ramp would likely elevate the nose of the cartridge too quickly, which could cause the base not to "snap" under the extractor. Also, check the extractor claw closely, to see if it is worn or damaged. To convert to .45/70, I would imagine that some mods had to be made to the claw, anyway.

Thanks gentlemen...I'll check out those suggestions.

Generally the rifle feeds well, but I was shooting some shorter lead bullets last weekend. WHen I'm at the range, I usually chamber the rounds fairly slowly, one at a time. That might be why the round didn't get picked up.

THANKS Gents!

Your suggestions work perfectly. Was able to get that 4th round into Mauser and the extractor goes over the rim by using your technique.

The extractor technique probably wouldn't be workable with a misfeed and a charging grizzly, but that's when I'd have to rely on the bayonet!