to re barrel or not?
So i have a m48 mauser that i have put a couple thousand rounds through, The barrel was not in great condition to begin with, and now it looks like a sewer pipe. i want to keep that condition of the rifle and make it into my designated deer/ elk rifle. How much would it be to rebarrel and what caliber would be best? ( i was thinking a 260 remington or 6.5 x55)
Check with Lothar Walther to see if they have a barrel that's profiled for it. I don't know if they had the same profile as a K98 but, if they do, you're in business.
As for cost? A few hundred to over a thousand, depending on what you get done to it.
i would keep it 8x57 or maybe slightly upgraded to 8x60s. standard k98 barrels can be fitted, but need to have an extractor cut milled in. I'm pretty sure Kreiger, PacNor, Montana Rifleman, McGowen and E.R. Shaw would also be able to supply a barrel with the proper chamber end dimensions and desired contour. 30-06 length cartridges won't work in the m48 because it is slightly shorter than a standard m98.....of course it could be done, but is akin to fitting a 375H&H into a standard m98. .308win length cartridges often give feeding problems that need extra attention to correct. the best route is to stick with "mauser" cartridges. the two "non-mauser" cartridges i have seen done that seem to work well are the 7.5x55 swissGP11 and the modern .376 Steyr.....however, they both need to have the boltface opened slightly for the marginally larger rim diameter.
advntrjnky
