1895 Chilean Mauser feeding problem and zeroing question

[Patrick Chadwick]

First Question: It shoots about 15 inches high at 100yds w/ Winchester 140gr Power Points. 200 yards groups are still quite high about 10-12 inches. Groups well, just need groups to come down. Any recommendations for a taller aftermarket front sight post, specifically one with a bead or narrower post? ?

As you are a new member, may I point out that it is easier to answer questions if more information is provided. For instance, you do not say what the POA (point of aim) is. The usal POA with open sights is a whisker below the bottom of the black, commonly termed the "6 o'clock hold". Some people try to aim at the center of the black. although this is very difficult to judge. So my question in response is: which hold are you using?

A POI (point of impact) 15 inches above the POA is a lot, but not impossible. But 15" above the center of the target, if you are using a 6 o'clock hold and the typical 8" target black, is definitely excessive. There are no less than 4 factors involved here:

1) The military Mausers of that era were typically zeroed for something like 300 meters.
2) Modern books will usually show the correct aim with open sights as being with the top of the blade at the same level as the top of the backsight. And with some rifles you will be annoyed because the top of the V is wider than the target frame, making this kind of aim extraordinarily difficult. It may indeed produce a good POI at 300 meters. But it has largely been forgotten, that in the 19th century, before the days of finely adjustable sights on military rifes, shooters were taught to hold the blade DEEPER in the V, varing the "fineness" of the aim according to distance and light conditions. Difficult to learn, but very effective if you do.

So please try again, using a 6 o'clock hold if you are not already doing so, and holding the tip of the blade down in the V until it is just about to disappear. The POA should come down a lot, indeed it should be within the black at 100 meters, were it not for two further aspects:

3) You are not using the original ammunition, which in those days would have had a heavier and longer round-nose bullet with a more strongly curved trajectory than a modern HBPT. This is one reason why the POI with modern ammo is higher than it would have been back in 1895.

4) On many old rifles the front blade has been worn down to the point that it noticeably affects the POI. No problem. Replacement blades for the K98k Mauser are easily available with blade heights up to as much as 9mm. The K98k blades fit all military Mausers (apart from the Swedes) back to the very first - I have one on my M1871 blackpowder Mauser!

Second Question: It has issues feeding from the right. Left is nice and smooth, but when feeding from the right cartridge gets hung up about halfway. Have to back bolt out about 3/4 inch or more so cartridge frees from the feed lips and then it goes in without issue. Any recommendations?

The most likely cause is that there is a burr on the lip of the cut-out in the receiver body, on the side that is giving you trouble. Remove the magazine bottom plate from the trigger guard by depressing the catch just in front of the guard and pushing the plate forwards. Now look for burring on the lips of the cut-out. Any such burring can be carefully stoned off with (best tool for the job) a flat diamond lap. There should be no sharp edges anywhere when you are finished.

Patrick