Mauser 98 question re: decreasing cocking force

[Viking264]

Is it possible to decrease the amount of force required to cock a Mauser 98? When closing the bolt, the force is a bit much for my wife to do smoothly (this is a hunting rifle), relative to the ease of doing this with a Tikka T3. If it's possible to do this, can someone tell me what's entailed?

 

[Wado]

Mauser 98's cock on opening. If it's hard to close it must be a 96 or similar. They cock on closing. I personally have never done it but I believe you can convert a 96 to cock on opening. I have no idea what it entails.

 

[shortgrass]

I have gunsmithed Mausers for over 25yrs. The cock on closing conversions to pre-98 actions is not worth the time or effort IMO. I will only use 98 actions, the 96 is OK, but that cock on closing. Besides, the mag box is shorter on pre-98 actions.

 

[shaughn]

Since you are working against the mainspring of the Firing pin, there isn't anything you can really do, because reducing spring weight only results in light hits on the primer.

Is the rifle overly long or not fitted to the shooter?

Are you attempting to do rapid fire drills?

Is the Bolt handle too small or perhaps is bent in such away as to be too close to the eyepiece on the scope, which can make it harder to manipulate the bolt, because you can't clear the scope with a power bolt throw, because you will bang your fingers on the scope.

Maybe a look at how the shooter is manipulating the bolt, and refine their technique.

Otherwise, I can't really think of anything, as I do agree with Shortgrass that the Cock on opening conversion costs a lot more than it's worth.

 

[J E Custom]

The Mauser works best when a brisk operation is performed. (Work the action/bolt fast, or very positive). If you work the bolt slowly. it will seem difficult.

Have her practice this without ammo and she will get used to it.

They also feed better when operated this way.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Viking264]

Guys,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. It's the opening of the bolt in the action that is not easy, and the fit of the rifle is certainly working against her; the LOP is too long. I was considering building a "new" Mauser-based light rifle for her. I have a stock that fits her perfectly, that my existing 98 Oberndorf Sporter came out of (it's an original Mauser stock from 1913); it was clearly built for smaller shooters. The LOP may be a large part of the issue, however I also had try a Sako and a Tikka, and the overall effort required to open and cycle the bolt was noticeably less. This may be aided by the lighter weight of the barrels on those actions relative to my Mauser, because the weight balance is so skewed towards the muzzle (causing her to try and manage the weight, making it hard to manipulate the bolt).

I am, and will always remain, a "Mauser guy". Failures with plunger ejectors and Sako's "85" design and the failure to eject spent cases (with and without a scope) keep pointing me back to the M98 design.