Picking a K98 Shooter

[Brien]

Hello there folks,

I need some of your knowledgeable expertise if you don't mind.

I want to purchase a nice k98 shooter. I shot a friends m48 and got such a thrill I want one myself, but I want a real 98k Can anyone recommend a good year and manufacturer? I have a choice between about eight rifles in close proximity of my home. Ranging from 1938 - 44. I know I don't want a kriegsmodel, but after that I don't know. I am new to the rifle stage so don't know where to start. I would sincerely appreciate your opinions.

Thank you for your time.

Brien

[Paul G]

A Russian capture would be cheap and not hard to find. If you bang it up a bit, it won't get you as mad as if you just ruined a real gem

PG-

[Brien]

Thanks paul, I should have said that RCs are all I have to choose from, what year and maker would be preferable? Do you have a favorite?

[Col.Klink]

Pretty much any year and manufacturer will suit your purpose, if you just want a nice historical shooter. Just be sure and check the ores out. You don't want pitting, etc. My personal favorite maker's of the K98 are bcd, bnz, and byf. Good luck on finding yours!
Col.Klink

[phild]

I think that bore condition should be very high on your list of criteria. Given that RCs are going to be a mix of parts and all re-finished it matters less when the receiver is dated or who the maker was. I would look for sharp lands and grooves, minimal pitting and strong lands the last 2 inches of the muzzle. Use the bullet end of a cartridge as a gauge. The less amount of the reversed bullet that will fit into the muzzle the better....given that the rest of the bore is also good...also make sure that there are no bore swells or buldges.

[bigschuss]

I think that bore condition should be very high on your list of criteria. Given that RCs are going to be a mix of parts and all re-finished it matters less when the receiver is dated or who the maker was. I would look for sharp lands and grooves, minimal pitting and strong lands the last 2 inches of the muzzle. Use the bullet end of a cartridge as a gauge. The less amount of the reversed bullet that will fit into the muzzle the better....given that the rest of the bore is also good...also make sure that there are no bore swells or buldges.

This is good advice.

The bullet test is a good general gauge of barrel condition. Get yourself a bore light (or just a simple mini-mag) and get a good look at the barrel. If your only concern is getting a good shooter, then hands down your major concern is the condition of the barrel.

Best of luck, and remember to shoot it until it smokes!

Let us know how it goes.

[roughshooter]

Forget maker marks my friend

barrel condition, barrel condition and oh did I mention barrel condition ?

their are plenty out their good luck !

[MauserKar98k]

Your best bet would be to buy all eight, send one to me, and use the other seven for shooting/display. Get them before some bubba gets hold of them!

[Brien]

Such a good thought

Your best bet would be to buy all eight, send one to me, and use the other seven for shooting/display. Get them before some bubba gets hold of them!

Ahh, If I could only afford to do so. Thanks very much for everyones comments and advice. I will look for on with a good barrel. All the rifles are running in the $300-$400 range, is that a decent price?

Brien

[Col.Klink]

$300-$400 for a Russian Capture!!!??? That is VERY expensive! I would suggest looking elsewhere. I have had good success with Gunbroker.com when it comes to buying RC K98s for just shooting. A typical price for a K98 from what I have found should be more in the range of $150-$250 ($250 for the nicer ones). For $300-$400 I have been able to buy all matching except the bolt vet bring-back rifles. This is just my opinion, and there are MANY people with much more expertise than me on this formum, so listen to them if what they say contradicts me! Good luck!

[Matt Weber]

I agree with many of the statements above. If all you want is a "shooter", then you really can't go wrong with one of the Russian imports.
Year/manufacture really doesn't matter, since it's just a shooter.
Bore condition should be highest on the priority though, since I've seen many RCs that have terrible bores. But I've also seen some that have very good bores as well. You can easily pick up an RC now for $250 or less.

Matt

[Bcarver]

btt

I just bought a decent BCD from Jacksonarmory.com for $199 (fully del $229) and it is not a RC, but is import marked. SO the deals are still out there. I found this one on Gunbroker.com.

[phild]

$300-$400 for a Russian Capture!!!??? That is VERY expensive! I would suggest looking elsewhere. I have had good success with Gunbroker.com when it comes to buying RC K98s for just shooting. A typical price for a K98 from what I have found should be more in the range of $150-$250 ($250 for the nicer ones). For $300-$400 I have been able to buy all matching except the bolt vet bring-back rifles. This is just my opinion, and there are MANY people with much more expertise than me on this formum, so listen to them if what they say contradicts me! Good luck!

I see most Bolt only MM vet bringbacks at $500 and up with several really nice rarer code example bring over 1k. They may be a bargan for those prices when compared to what most matching one fetching these days.

I'd say $250 is average for Russian rework, but some can get more.

[Brien]

Thanks for all the info! I settled on a nice byf 42 very good overall appearance with a good bore. It does have an import stamp, and the numbers don't all match but the Swastika's are clear and haven't been pinged out. There is also non of the electric pencil markings I've seen on a lot of RC models. Capture screws, sight hood, cleaning rod are absent. Price was 340.00 total. Judging by what I have seen lately on gunbroker, I thought this was a median price for a median weapon, a nice shooter with a little real history to boot.

Thanks again folks. I am sure I'll have more questions when I start tinkering around with it!

[MauserKar98k]

I'd say $250 is average for Russian rework, but some can get more.

I agree. $300-$400 for a RC does seem like a lot. It's your call though Brien, and the byf42 is a good year. Be sure to post pics when you get a chance!