Mauser 98 in .50 Beowulf...

M

midnight

New member
I would like to research the idea of massacring a Chechz (sp?), Egyptian, or other inexpensive Mauser and rebarreling it to .50 Beowulf. The cartridge is a straight walled case, so a blank .50 barrel would be easy to chamber for it. The .50 Beowulf's rim diameter is based on the 7.62x39, which is about .030" smaller than the 8mm Mauser rim. Will this pose a problem? What about cartridge length? Will it fit in the magazine? If it is too short, will modifications be needed for proper feeding? I guess the main problem right now is locating a barrel, huh.

I think a Mauser in .50 Beowulf with a red dot "scout" scope would be one heck of a bush rifle. It would be a neat novelty and fun to build at the very least.

I am open to suggestions/opinions/advice.....
 
Just did some more research, and apparently .50 Beowulf operates at very low chamber pressures (max of 35,000). Doesn't this mean that even a small ring Mauser action would be safe to use? I might get better feeding from a gun originally designed to take a cartridge of smaller OAL. Unfortunately, locating a barrel for a 96 Mauser would be even tougher!
 
FWIW, I would not use a small ring Mauser action for this project. I concur that the .50 Beawulf is a low pressure round, but I really have a hard time trusting the small ring for anything except what they were intended for. I would consider using a large ring action from BRNO. Large rings have a double torque shoulder and were designed for heavier rounds. Keep in mind that some Turks were large rings threaded for small ring barrels.

WIth that aside, what you are asking is not impossible. I never rebarreled a Mauser to 7.62X39 so I can't answer what problems you would have adjusting the bolt rim. I would assume that there would be a problem aligning the firing ping hole. The good thing is you can add a tiny bit of metal and then mill it to specs. Before you get into that check with www.e-gunparts.com and see if they have a bolt in stock. They run about $80. You will also need to block the magazine, trim back the follower and adjust the feed rails for a smooth feed. You are plowing virgin territory with that round in a Mauser. Much of what you will need to do will be file and fit. I don't see why it can't be done.

My question to you is where will you get the chamber reamers?
 
Probably

not the easiest conversion to make(but not too difficult either), but I agree would be a VERY neat little piece
 
Huh?

How does one make a .50 cartridge out of a case where the head is smaller than .50? I mean, the .308 has a .473 case head, and I KNOW the .220 Russian is smaller.
 
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