1939 K98 story/issue/info request

[Patrick Chadwick]

Sadly, the case was discarded at the range. It was described as being intact & not split, covered in soot as was the action and remaining rounds below it in the magazine. The primer was not observed/noted.

Sorry everybody if I lose my British cool for once, but my kaputt shoulder is giving me hell and I'm going into hospital in a few hours to (hopefully) have it fixed. This bad-tempered post will therefore be the last for a week or so!

For heavens sakes! Get that guy some basic education before he again endangers himself and others! Inspection of the case is one of the best clues as to what has happened in the event of improper ignition or firing!

OK, that was the bad-tempered bit, now back to (nearly) normal:
It sounds like that may have been a squib load. I think a fully functioning load would have simply rammed that bullet through the barrel and sheared off the base corrosion. But the rifle must be checked over (I'm repeating myself, aren't I?).

And dismantle the rest of that ammo!

How to check for bulging has been described in a previous post.
Set-back lugs will reveal themselves by a noticeably enlarged headspace. How to make a simple check on headspace has been described several times in these forums.

G'night all!


Patrick

Information

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[BubbaTheKid]

Thank you Gentlemen. No worries on any harsh criticism. It's warranted and I did not attempt to conceal anything in a bid to avoid it. I have to accept a portion of the blame as the guy in questions is one of my best mates and I should be keeping an eye on him just as I would exopect any of you to do with me if we wereon the firing line together. I appreciate the advice also and will get photos of the actual ammo in question AND confirm it as being 8MM as one member suggested it might not be. Additionally photos of the K98 will be posted during my inspection. And I will insist that a gunsmith give it the once over before it goes to the range again.

[kar98k]

Maybe, maybe not, as explained above. But on the last point, "that's why most people don't fire veteran bring backs" I cannot follow you. The fault was most definitely not in the rifle, which has demonstrated the effectiveness of the vent holes, but in the shooter.

i wasn't blaming the rifle. i meant that if a veteran bring back is fired and gets damaged, it's lost a significant bit of collector value and historical value

[Calif-Steve]

You guys really need to find that cartridge case or the loaded ammo. Are you certain he was firing 8mm Mauser ammo? Something makes me wonder.

[Calif-Steve]

Almost certainly the bullet was firmly cold soldered stuck in the case. I would like to know about the remaining cases. Take a cleaning rod and put a cotton swab on the tip. Slowly push it through the barrel. Feel any lose spots? That would be a bulge. Good luck. Careful you will have to clean the barre first, or the swab will get stuck.

[rich v]

BUBBA, If the ammunition in question turns out not to be 8X57 i would say a good 'flogging' is in order for your mate. lol keep us updated

[michael pollack]

I have a few Mausers that I occasionally shoot.I had some WW2 German ammo,steel laquered cases. They appeared to look fine and I shot one, and the gas came back and when I opened the bolt the case was ruptured lengthwise, ...I stopped shooting this stuff and toredown a bullet , sure enough, corrosion set in , the flaked powder appeared to be okay, howeverthe inside of the steel case was rusty! The only wise thing is to discard this stuff and shoot late date ammo. Mike

[BubbaTheKid]

Hi All,
We've located a competent gunsmith who will be looking the iron over in the next month.
Best,
Bubba

[Calif-Steve]

Much of German WWII 8mm was steel case. It has been well over 50 years since it was made. Now in the collectors arena. Do not shoot this stuff. Good luck.