[Mosin_Mike]

I have a double trigger Mauser sporter that my father bought back in the 80's for 25 bucks . It is in really good condition with a really nice sporter stock, scope and still has about 95% bluing on the reciver and barrel. Wish I had pics but my brother has it at his house and has been dealing with "the problems" for abour two years now and its time to take it back. Now about the problems and questions, the rifle came with no bolt seems the first owner took it out and misplaced it 10 yrs before it even crossed my pops ("He knew somebody who knew about stuff like that" , the guy move away)and too make matters worse the caliber is also unknown and the rifle is unmarked. So, how hard would it be to find a bolt for it and find out what caliber it is or would it be safer to rebarrel? Also how expensive are good bolts? I once got told by a gunsmith that it was not worth the trouble but when you look at her I can see myself taking a whitetail with her. I could make it into a lamp but, it's too nice and my girlfriend would never let me put it the living room!


Another quick question would it be a good idea to try the bolt of my 1912 chiean mauser to check if its a standard large ring action? No live ammo will be used in any way and I have not tried the "drop test" with live ammo to check for caliber, that too unsafe in my book.

[Johnnycat]

You could get Cerrosafe and make a casting of the chamber. Or you could just rebarrel it (A&B barrels from Midway are not that expensive. The hard part is often getting the old barrel off).

Bolts are cheap for original, expensive for "commercial" or "sporterized". Still, they're worth it as there are no scope issues that you would have with oringinal and you don't have to put up with that goofy ATI stuff to use an original bolt handle. I haven't taken a whitetail with my Mausers (I have other rifles built for the purpose), but it would seem gratifying.

[Mosin_Mike]

Thanks for the reply, I have heard of Cerrosafe, I'm not a gunsmith (but I play one at home) so I could find one near by for that. Now the bolt , Brownells, Midway, gunbroker, where would be a good place to start looking find one? Should I take it to a gunsmith so he can tell me what to look for or is this something I can find info about online? Lot of questions I have been looking for another rifle for a while for deer and this one has been in my mind for a while. I have a rem 700 270 that I use down here in south texas, lot of deer! Thanks again

[Johnnycat]

I would look to Gunbroker for the bolt. Ebay doesn't allow that sort of thing anymore. Midway and Brownell's do not offer the bolt without the action.

By the way, we ARE talking about a K98 or variation, right?

Be careful in buying a K98 bolt - the "stock" bolt of the k98 is turned down, but will not clear a scope unless it is mounted WAY high (like the ATI mount). That looks stupid and is Bush-league (sorry to anyone that has this set-up - just being honest). The VZ 24/47 is a straight horizontal bolt. Either way, you need a commercial bolt or one that has been "forged" by someone that knows how to do it. I have never done it and I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself.

Guns have sentimental value. You have one for years - by all means it's worth spending the $$$ to get the right bolt.

Happy hunting!

[Mosin_Mike]

Thanks thats the kinda of ideas i need to get started. I will post pic ASAP.