[bk42261]

I recently gave my eldest son my custom 1898 (no iron sights , so needs scope). I couldn't find the scope bases for it, but didn't think it was a big deal. Now, the only mounts he can find (leupiold) to fit don't allow clearance for the bolt to open. Any suggestions? HELP!

 

[kdub]

Are you saying the mounts won't allow the clearance, or the mounted scope won't allow it?

 

[bk42261]

He is in the Army stationed in Fort Riley, KS. He says that the windage adjustment won't allow the bolt handle to open.

 

[kdub]

Then, you're saying the scope itself won't allow the bolt to fully function.

This is caused by the bolt handle not being modified or properly modified to function with a mounted scope. It will have to be altered by a gunsmith.

 

[MikeG]

Yeah, it's got to be turned down, or you need some really, really, really tall rings.

 

[tacklebury]

Someone may have been using an offset mount or side mount also. I've seen some guys with these on using the std. bolt handle. 8)

 

[gunplumber]

Your rifle has A 90 degree bolt lift and will not allow a scope unless the hndl is reworked or a different one welded on (the same applies to the K98 with the turned down hndl). Reworking the old one is ok but makes the length a bit shorter than normal. I like the Leonard Brownell style from Brownells for a welded one. The 45 and 46 bases from Weaver will fit but the right rear corner of the 45 (rear) needs to be trimmed at an angle if the stripper clip boss has not been removed by grinding. Leupold (FN Mauser listted if the boss is removed) and Redfield also make bases for the 98; Redfield has one that allows mounting over the stripper clip boss without grinding it off (listed as Unaltered). It is a leupold style and either rings will work. You might also want to have the safety replaced with a Dayton Traister style because working the mil spec safety with a scope on and wearing gloves is a real problem. I would also ask your smith if he uses a heatsink for the bolt work as you can sure damage the bolt body (warpage) or lugs if you're not careful.

 

[Rangr44]

He is in the Army stationed in Fort Riley, KS. He says that the windage adjustment won't allow the bolt handle to open.

WHICH "windage" adjustment ? ?

If you/he mean the scope windage turret, then you can either rotate the scope counter-clockwise 90-degrees so that the old elevation turret now points off to the left and acts as a windage adjustment, and the old windage turret will be vertical, and the new elevation adjustment.

That should effectively put the turret out of the bolt handle's way - but I've never come across a Mauser with Leupold mounts which carried a scope so far to the rear that the scope turrets were abeam of the bolt handle - IOW, sumptin's wrong, or we have a lack of communication here.

If you/he mead the Leupold scope BASE windage adjustment screw head, it can be replaced with a thin-head screw, and a small clearance ground into the top of the bolt handle's root to clear it.

.

 

[Hair smoker]

I have a 98 that has been altered and it has Weaver bases with Burris rings. The back mount corner is ground off. Other than that no issues.