Ok.If you want a project rifle to learn on,the 98 Mauser is a good choice.
You might find a barreled action,or the old cut down "utility sporter" where the stock has been cut,receiver sight installed,etc..
I'm sure you are aware that a complete,sound,original Military Mauser might well bring as much as a good used Mark 10,Husqvarna,or Remchester.
It would be rosy if you can find something already altered from original.
I'll say again,of those folks still alive,its the gun cranks of the 60's,and 70's that were still building a lot of milsurp sporters.
At 63 yrs,I'm one of the younger ones.
Many are 70's,or older. They have more guns than years left..Whether meeting them at a range,LGS,or the coffee shop,get aquainted.Have some spare time.Listen to what they will pass on to you.
Eventually,Let them know you want to learn and gain experience.You want a project to work with.
Hopefully you find the guy with 7 or 8 projects in some stage of development that have been aging in corners and closets for years.
And a fair number of these guys don't have the right folks to pass this stuff on to among family and friends.
The idea of these guns being sold for meth money or destroyed after a buy-back program....or going to some jerk they don't like,well,it is not happy.
"You want to do WHAT??? Learn to build a wood and steel RIFLE???..Come here let me show you!!You see here? P O Ackley built this one,Al Beisen built this one....Now,this is an 8MM Husqvarna built on a 98,And I made this 308 Norma on an 03A3.....
Heck,where is that...here!!this is a Mexican 98 action I put a 257 Roberts barrel on for somebody...never finished it.I could let you....
That's what I suggest you find.An Old Man.
It will be good for him,and good for you.
He might not have had anyone listen or be interested in 15 years.
And he has treasure to pass on