I have had, in the past, M48, K98, Argentine 1909, several Turkish versions, a Persian, even an Israeli modified for hunting, and a few other assorted ones. The only one I currently have is a 1908 Swede...but I think the Swede has the finest action of all...I don't hunt, so this one is all original, except for S/Ns on the bands. I have seen many converted for hunting purposes, so I assume it is one of the best. Anyone else feel this way?

Typically Gustafs are considered the best. I don't know if you want to add the Springfield in this as well

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Mine is a Gustaf....am looking for another one...

My Persian 98/29 is very nice! I've seen few that are better. My Swiss K31 is another one that is not only finely crafted but quite accurate as well.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Yup, the Swiss and the Swedes.

Almost any pre-war Mauser is going to be a quality firearm. I am partial to the 1909 Argentine built by DWM, because of the hinged floorplate. It really was not until WWll that the quality of fit and finish began to drop on many Mauser based bolt actions. The German, Swedish, and Swiss, in particular, made nice rifles, compared to others such as the Turks.

Larry

You'll get arguments from all directions on which Mauser action is the 'best'. Best quality of fit and finish, best quality of heat treat, best features for a sporting conversion, action length, ring dia, bbl thread dia & length, rear/clip bridge configuration and on and on.

Usually the pre-98's get lower marks but of them the Swede 94 & 96 are rated the best of the bunch.
The cock on closing feature is one of often noted too tough to handle things about them,,,take up knitting then and build up some strength for God sakes.

I favor the sporters done up in Europe & they're usually on a M98 action, but not always.
Some are recycled LR or SR Mausers from WW1 usage, others may be peacetime FN mfg actions made for the purpose.
Whatever the source, the gunsmith(s) doing the work are what turn a Military rifle into a nice sporter. It does take work and talent.

Mausers cousin the 03 Springfield is no slouch either especially when done up in a classic pre-war sporter.

I try not to get into the "best" arguments but my favorite Mauser is the FR-8. The only thing that would make it better IMO is a bent bolt.

"Best" cannot be stated.

Unless I don't know something all the Swedish versions are 93/95/96 type. No way any of those could be superior to a 98.

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The workmanship on the Swedes is astounding. Metalwork, bluing, fit of the wood. Hard to believe that sort of quality was built in to a military rifle. And the 6.5 X 55 is no slouch either, lots of sectional density there. Of all the mausers I have ever owned, the Model 96 was by far and away the nicest.

I guess it all comes down to what does "best" mean. My Swedes are very fine rifles and i would stack them up against any other. My original WWI 98 and Kar-98 are also fine.

In the ealy 1990's I bought a handful of Turkish Mausers at $39 each from CAI. They have smoothe actions and shoot very well. At 1/3 the price of a Swede, maybe they are best.

I agree on the bent bolt being their only 'flaw', though I imagine they're hard kicking guns. One chambered in 6.5x55 would be a lovely shooter.

The FR-8 wins on rear sight design and the ability to use cheap ammo. I find the sights on most military Mausers to be user hostile in certain light conditions and me not being blessed with perfect eyesight. the Swede is the only other Mauser I have handled that comes with useable sights IMHO.

I have an Argy, a couple of Swedes and a couple of Chilean 1912s, but I've yet to shoot most them, unfortunately. I have an M48 but I think the stock wood is soft. It doesn't shoot that well, like my 1938 Turk long rifle that shot patterns the one time I took it out. Removing the action from the wood revealed why when I checked more closely, the stock was warped creating all kinds of strange tensions on the action when everything was tightened up. My Turk short rifles are also badly bedded, so much so I've never shot them for fear of splitting the wood at the tang. Could be the issue with the M48 for all I know.

The K98K I find to be one of the most overrated weapons I've ever used. The rear sight notch is too narrow and shallow and the inventor of the barleycorn front sight will never leave his crib when I get my time machine working. The Russians were even dumb enough to start putting the very shallow rear site V on the 91/30 during WWII. Don't know if that was a production shortcut or them copying. I know for sure that deep U rear sights on earlier 91/30s are MUCH easier to acquire. Even the original M91 sights are superior to the 98K IMHO.

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Release the Kraken

Lots of emphasis on here about absolutely meaningless details like
rear sight notches, finish, wood to metal fit, bolt handle configuration,
caliber and supposedly superior steel. All of these posts overlook the
obvious. Back when these rifles were being developed the Mauser
action was an evolving design. Design trumps sights, finish, bolt
handle, whatever...you name it. SP got it right in his post above.
ALL pre 98 actions pale in comparison to a rough WW2 era large
ring 98 Mauser. There isn't even any comparison. If you have a pre
98 rifle you like then that's great. Just don't ever delude yourself
that it's the best Mauser.

This semi bolt action is the best Mauser



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Arik, please provide more information of your rifle with it's loading arrangement.

I like to think I know a little something about Mausers, I own 12 Swedes and two pre war K98ks. As far as strength goes the 98 action can't be beat but the Swedes are plain works of art. Comparing the 6.5X55 Swede with the German K98k 8mm is like comparing a gazelle to a rhinoceros.

Built on an 1895 Oberndorf m94 receiver this CG63 was made into a target rifle in 1965 by the Swedish arsenal, Carl Gustafs Stads.




Swedish FSR m96s. No military Mauser or military bolt action for that matter can touch the Swedish m96 in 6.5X55 for accuracy. Both of these have gone under m.o.a. The one on the bottom from 1908 would be is the king of the safe when it comes to shooting. The 1912 above it is the prettiest.



Just in case you're going to Camp Perry. an m41B is usually the trophy taker in the vintage sniper class. This is a 1918 m96 with a 1942 Ajack on top.



Then there's the bull in the china shop. 1937 Sauer K98k. The 8mm kicks like a mule but can be very accurate too.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I like these except for the muzzle blast.

Swede 94/14, Swede 94

I am fairly small at 5'9" and 160. I was pleasantly surprised by the FR-8's recoil. I think the wide buttplate helps spread the recoil. Just the opposite of say the Enfield jungle carbine with the recoil enhancing rubber butt insert. I also have found the FR-8 to be one of my most accurate rifles. Right up there with my K31's and 03A3. 3in 100yd groups were simple using Port surplus.

Here is my 'bent bolt' Spanish FR-8:



It was done by a gunsmith for a previous owner. I have two, the other is a traditional straight bolt. I actually prefer the straight bolt.

But, both are excellent firearms out to 400 meters (longest range I have access to) and would make an excellent deer rifle.

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Bud
Lots of S&Ws