Here in Mauser country - in Argentina both the '88 and later the '98 were ordnace issue until replaced byt the FAL in the early sixties - at this time i'm putting together a '98 action with a Shilen barrel in 308 (the 7.65 Arg, very similar to 30-06 is good but ammo is very limited).
Shilen provide pre-threaded barrels of excellent quality - check out their website. Douglas is another option and i'm sure there are more - Most times, only the headspace has to be checked out carefully with good 'go-nogo' gauges; corrections made if necessary.
Fa' sure the 88 was a weaker action - but with reasonable loads... a good gunsmith - the conditon of the gun should be checked out.
I dont mind sacrificing the 'stripper clip' (though nice in combat wouldn't think it necessary for a deer hunt) and the chamber is easily accesible under my Swarovski 6x42 'scope on Millet 'medium' rings. The mauser mag loads easy and smooth, round by round.
On the other hand, a friend just made a dandy 'Pseudo Scout' out of a '98, with the scope way ahead of the magazine port, keeps the stripper clip as the scope is way out front there. Shoots real nice if one cares for the concept.
With a Plain Old Scope (back where they used to be up by the eye), bolt should be dropped a little - could knock up close to the tube. Also the safety may get in the way. There are some 'quater turn' safeties that work ok (under the scope, on the bolt sleeve at ones left hand) - else (and a good idea replace the trigger - sloppy in the military Mauser, with one that has a safety - such as Timney's - you would then have to have the bolt sleeve replaced - an easy operation. There are also Winchester Mod 70 type safeties avaialbele for the Mauser - another good choice. IMHO, replace the trigger anyway, for a Timney or Jewell or whatever.
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