Isreali 98k SSR build

[jonh172]

For the last few months I've lusted over a Mauser Sniper Rifle.
I started by finding some low turret mounts with 1" rings and a Meopta Artemis 4x (zf39 clone) to mount on my 45acp Mauser Carbine. This sparked me to want a true sniper repro.
I got a pre war Meopta 4x with 26mm steel tube from a fellow CGNer (Thanks Don!) that was a great copy of the ZF39, so all I needed were the mount and rifle
Another fellow CGNer happened to have a reproduction SSR mount that he was holding for me (Thanks Matt!) so my search for a donor rifle began.
Of course I didn't want to ruin a perfectly good rifle so one that was already drilled and tapped was prefereable.
After a few passes on a couple RC Mauser's that weren't drilled, fate stepped in and a beauty Isreali Mauser came available from yet another fellow CGNer (Thanks Gord!). Even better, it was already drilled on the left rail!
I know, its not 8mm, but I want a shooter and 308 is plentiful!
(I decided to write this post in response to my frustration of the blatant lack of info on this subject on the internet.)

Donor Rifle, Israeli 7.62 on a Czech receiver.



After acquiring the rifle, I promptly bought the SSR mount.

Here it is with the Meopta.


Time to get to work!
Except, the holes in the rail were no where near where I needed them, but that was ok because I could go ahead with the build without having to wait to get the holes filled.

No overlap.



The setup in a task like this is very time consuming, getting everything level and locked in place to start the first hole took almost an hour.

Once locked in place, I centered the drill in the first hole.



Once center, I then removed the mount and cut my first hole with a center drill to get through the case hardening.





Then drilled, nice & centered


Tapping was done in the press to ensure a square thread



Start all over for second and third holes, after they were cut the locating pin holes were drilled.


Once it was all set up, the screw heads need to be notched for the capture screws.



I know I'm going to get called out on it so I'll admit it! I did open up one of the screw slots a little (sigh), but I'll clean it up when I remove the mount again.


Being locked under the press, I had no room for a conventional driver and had to use a ratcheting wrench type, so rolling a slot is easy if not perfectly square.


Now to inlet the stock, note the spacing of the 2nd screw hole in relation to the original its close but not touching, I do still plan to fill the old holes.
(Picture makes the second hole look out of round, but it isn't.)


Rough line up


I started by cutting only half the distance to the line, then filed and sanded CAREFULLY the rest of the way.


I found this to be the most tedious and nerve racking part as you cant rebuild wood if a cut is too deep



Snug as a bug : )

The clearance is even all the way around, the picture makes it look tight at the front and back.




Half way through the build a legit 1920's Zeiss Jena Zielvier (Actual ZF39!!) came available from a great CGN'er! (Thanks again Corey!)

So, with the help from many fellow great CGNers and a VERY knowledgeable Bob, I have now added a beautiful SSR Sniper to the collection!!














That front screw slot....








Now that the sniper bug has bitten, next will be a low turret mauser sniper in 8mm, any help finding what i need on this one will be greatly appreciated as I will need both rifle and mounts.

Information

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[vintage hunter]

Nice job. Have you attempted to zero it yet? Interested in how that turns out as I didn't notice any mention of a scope collimation process.

[jonh172]

Nice job. Have you attempted to zero it yet? Interested in how that turns out as I didn't notice any mention of a scope collimation process.

Thanks!

After installation, I bore sighted it, without changing the windage on the mount, the scope was only slightly right at 100 and slightly low on the scopes "100" elevation setting. I'm going to leave it as is and see what happens on paper.

[Flying10uk]

John, are there any Waffen Amt markings left on your rifle which you have noticed or have they all been removed by the Israelis in their refurbs, please? It looks like a nice rifle.

[speckles]

Is that a repro scope? I had one like that and could not get it to be consistent. but mine was chinese. go figure.

[jonh172]

John, are there any Waffen Amt markings left on your rifle which you have noticed or have they all been removed by the Israelis in their refurbs, please? It looks like a nice rifle.

There are a few waffenamt stamps on the rear sight, but non that I remember on the receiver (did the Czechs have waffens on the receiver?) And of course non on the barrel.
And thank you! It is a VERY nice rifle! I was very fortunate to get it.
Jon

---------- Post added at 03:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

Is that a repro scope? I had one like that and could not get it to be consistent. but mine was chinese. go figure.

No sir! Not a fake!
1920s built zeiss

[speckles]

that will be a great shooter. The pics of your work is fantastic. wish more folks would post work in progress.

[jonh172]

that will be a great shooter. The pics of your work is fantastic. wish more folks would post work in progress.

Thanks Speckles!

The lack of 'work in progress' posts is exactly what made me do this one. It was very hard to research the process, so I hope this helps someone with their own build.

[speckles]

be careful. You might have folks asking you to do work for them once they see this.

[jonh172]

be careful. You might have folks asking you to do work for them once they see this.

Hope so!