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For $40 it might be worth a try. I would not factor in your time however. My only concerns about this would be the structural integrity of the bottom of the case after you drilled out the anvil and the diameter/depth of the primer pocket. Last time I looked at a berdan case, it had the anvil and two little holes. Does drilling one big hole between them effect case strength? And, since berdan primers and boxer primers aren't quite the same size, I have to wonder if the dimensional difference has any effect on performance or safety? But again, for $40 it might be worth a try. I'll definitely save this one for later.

Bang-bang-bang - as in gunfire?? Sadly, its like that a lot of places. We had a young man killed a few weeks ago at a black bar. That just seems to be how the younger generation deals with their issues. Its almost like the wild west at some of the social gatherings around here....

Monte, A shaper is a fairly specialized piece. They're kind of an automated file/chisel type contraption that's fairly precise and can cut nice squared off holes and surfaces. I believe they have also preceeded the mill. One application for a shaper would be cutting the lug ways into a receiver if the machine was big enough and you weren't in a terrible hurry. ...And that's about the scope of my knowledge. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Personally though, I think I would pass on it and wait for something a bit more useful such as a big lathe in good condition. Shapers are too specialized for me to need one.

Yep, I've read/seen several titles that go by this theme. The most interesting was when I studied the history of France - only the rich didn't quite get the happy ending... Otherwise, I think I could write a book about living like nobility while broke. I've never had any money but still manage to live it up! -Jason

There's lots of Californian expartriates in Texas right now...and we've got lots of room for ranges...and we sure do like our guns...

Kenny, Its possible but it takes a very skilled 'smith to do it. Even then, there is no consensus on the safety of doing this conversion. I know of one, maybe two gunsmiths who consider this challenge. All others I've ever met or spoken to online all say there's really not enough material left in an M98 action to allow this to be done safely. Some will remind you that Harry Selby actually shot the original barrel out on his rifle and had to get it rebarreled. Others will say its possible but not practical. Personally, I say that if you have to a .416 that bad, you need either a big Enfield, a Granite Mountain Mauser, or a Ruger No. 1 Tropical. In any event, this is definitely not a project for a garage gun crank with surplus Mauser and Midway action wrench. (Even though you guys continue to amaze me with your creativity and resourcefulness!!)

**At Long Last** Guys, Brad emailed me some pics of his Siamese project and between mixed up emails and my work schedule I'm just now getting them online. Here goes: Here's the difference between regular and 45-70 modified rails: Here's how the smith that did the conversion handled the feedramp: Here's a view of the entire action: Here's a view of the bolt shroud and safety: Here's another: Here's a shot showing the difference between a regular M98's firing pin and the Siamese's firing pin: And last but no least, here's one I apparently already had squirreled away in the archives of Brad's finished handy work. I couldn't resist: Enjoy! Jason (Moderators: I moved this back up here to give it some air time with the latest pictures. I'll move it back in a few days. -J )

Do it after. Your action is going look very nasty and need to be cleaned up quite a bit after it comes back from the treaters. Remember, cosmetic stuff always comes last. Get the thing heat treated and clean that up. Get bolt handle situtation lined out and get the barrel on and headspaced. Then, once all the machine work is completed and you're ready to some banging the metal work around, then you can start on the metal finish and stock finish. And, if you're going to go with some type of composite finish like Dura-coat or Gunkote, you'll want your steel parkerized first - it will yield more lasting, pleasing finish in the end. And (and you can take my word on this) you'll want to mask off any friction bearing areas like the lugs ways to prevent your composite finish from causing the bolt to bind up. A lot of these finishes have a high friction coefficient and cause stuff not to slide as easily. I ruined an SMLE finding this out. One other idea on metal finish would be to spend the $150-$200 it'd cost you for a reasonable hot blue. I have an 8x60s that was hot blued and the thing is beautiful.

Disband the Marines and let the Army do it. No need for the Navy to spend so much money funding them when we're already doing it elsewhere.

The easiest way I know to get a Mauser bolt or receiver properly and cost effectively gas carburized is to contact Mike McCabe and find out when he's sending his next batch off to the treaters. Normally these guys charge by the lot - which can be your receiver or ten receivers - so its usually more cost effectively (i.e. cheaper) to go in with someone on several. Since Mike is a gunsmith and has all the proper licensing and does lots of Mauser work, there's a chance he may need to get a couple sent out. That's what we did with my Turk and it worked well. Not necessarily campaigning or anything, just offering a suggestion based on my personal experiences...

Nah, come on Ken, just get a bigger hammer. That's what the rest of us rifle cranks do. That's we build rifles out of steel - they're hard to break and if you do you can weld'em back.

Be sure to include a stout A/C unit!

May I be of some assistance?

Better yet, let's lock all the politicians up in prison and forget about them.

Here's a few of the answers you're looking for in no particlar order: 1. Mosin-Nagants use a rimmed cartridge that's got roughly the same rim size as a 45 Colt and use a .311" diameter bullet. Ballistically, its probably somewhere in between a 30-06 and a .308 Win (7.62x51 Nato) - both of which use a .308" bullet. 2. The Mosin action uses a split rear bridge to allow the bolt handle to come back through it, like an old Mannlicher. That makes these somewhat interesting to mount a scope on because it limits you to three options: A. Most popular - long eye relief scope mounted "scout style" on the rear sight base. These work, but look clunky. B. Second - side mount scope mount. You've seen these on SMLE's and Winchester 94's. Even clunkier and ungainly. C. Get real creative and move the bolt handle behind rear bridge, close up the rear bridge, and scope like a Mauser. Some fellow did a series of articles on sporterizing Mosin Nagants for Shotgun News last year and did a write up on this. It wasn't easy to do although he made it look it. 3. The cocking piece is a multi-purpose cocking piece/safety/gas deflector. There's not much that can be done with one. Steve Wagner did a write up on his website about mounting a piece of wire. There's not much else you can do with this part and there are no aftermarket two or three position cocking piece safeties currently (nor were there ever any) in production for the Mosin Nagant. 4. The trigger mechanism also doubles as the bolt stop. And, there are no aftermarket triggers available for this rifle. Back about 2004 I saw a guy who'd converted a Bold Optima Mauser 98 trigger for use on a Mosin, but he never shared how he did it or how he retained the bolt stop function. You can tune the issue Mosin trigger, but only sightly. 5. There are several aftermarket stocks available for this action in everything from mild to wild. I'd recommend you start there because unless you've got really short arms, the short length of pull and powerful cartridge of this rifle will likely pound the snot out of you. 6. As surplus military rifles go, issue Mosin sights are actually pretty good although you may need to fab up a taller front post to lower the POA to a 100 yard level. 7. Try to pick out a rifle instead of ordering one through the mail. You'll want a Russian production M91/30 (that's the long version) that was hopefully made prior to 1940. Russian wartime production allowed quality control to slip and bore diameters suffered greatly. You want a bore in roughly the .310-.312 range and no larger. Period. Unless you have access to a lathe and mill and could therefore rebarrel your Mosin to whatever you wanted. 8. Fit and finish wise, most of Mosins on the market right now still clean up decently and can usually be had for less than $100 out the door. Just look for a bright, shiny bore and no rust, same as any other mil-surp. For sporterizing, I'd recommend a round receiver - there are two models: round receiver and hex receiver - simply because there's a ton more of them on the market and therefore you're more likely to find a scope mount that works. 9. Rebarreling/changing calibers: rebarrel if you must, but stay with the 7.62x54r cartridge. This is a rimmed cartridge the Russians adopted slightly before they adopted the rifle so these rifles are built specifically for this cartridge. While these actions look deceivingly simple, there's a million minute details that makes them so ruggedly reliable and feed as well as they do. I fear switching cartridges would only open a big can of worms and likely ruin an otherwise good action. Conclusions: Mosins make good hunting and plinking rifles, but compared to big Enfields, SMLEs, and Mausers, you're quite limited with what you can do. While they are probably the most rugged rifle you'll ever own, the split rear bridge and rimmed cartridge really cuts down on what you can and can't do with it. Granted, if you've got the time, tools, and talent, a Mosin Nagant might be a helluva project to undertake. My general suggestion though would be buy a good shooter, mount a long ear relief scope on it, restock it, and go hunting. Rebarrel it if you have to, but stick with a quality .311 diameter barrel and the 7.62x54r cartridge. The actions actually make pretty good rifles and with the right barrel can be scarey accurate. On a good day with the right load, my M91/30 is the most accurate milsurp I own. Also, the 7.62x54r is one of the more under-rated cartridges on the market right now. Its powerful, fast, packs a helluva whallop, and its still pretty cheap to shoot. The Russians have used this cartridge continuously since the 1890's. I can't think of a military offhand that's had a cartridge in service that long. That ought to tell you something. And...these will indeed bring down the biggest deer and hogs - from a distance. Anything a 30-06 or .308 will do, a 7.62x54r will as well. So...if you want one, by all means, get two. I own several and enjoy them all. But, I wouldn't plan on turning out a finely crafted hunting rifle like some of the Mauser's you've seen around the Internet. Not saying it can't be done though; just would take too much effort in this case to turn "a sow's ear into a silk purse". Good shooting! Jason

There's lots of "if's" in that statement Karl. I don't see the Left loosing much in 2010. All the Democrats I know are still drinking the Hopey-Changey Koolaid and are still satisfied with the Messiah's progress.

I hope you jerks that voted Democrat in the last election choke! But then again, I guess you'll get what you deserve.

Not only that Jerry, but I just honestly don't friggin' care of Jackson's dead or alive. I never really liked his music nor gave two hoots in hades about all the "controversy" he's stirred up over the years. He's gone - but: I'm still in debt, the Sun continues to rise every morning, its still hot outside, and socialists are still running my country. So, so what if Michael Jackson's dead?? Take it off the TV already; he ain't coming back. "From it we spring and to it, we must return". (Remember that? ) Jason

Sir, Its been done many times before. Some say a M98 is just right, others advise against it because you can't quite seat the bullets out far enough to obtain maximum performance from the cartridge. Personally, I've thought about it, but decided instead to either buy one commercially made or build .458 Lott on an M1917 Enfield. If you do decide to do it, go through with it, and don't like it, you can always rebarrel to something like a .375 Ruger or .338 Win Mag later. (That's provided you didn't doctor the rails too much for the .458). In my book, the choice is up to you. There certainly are better actions to build a .458 Winnie on, but its strictly your choice. -I'll still want to shoot it either way!- On the subject of barrels: why not spend another $100 and get something with a name and reputation of quality? Some A&B barrels and really good, others are complete dogs and never shoot or come clean. Shilen, Douglas, Lothar-Walther, McGowan, and many, many others don't cost that much more in the grand scheme of things so why not get a barrel that you know won't be suspect right out of the box? As much as it costs to build and feed something like a .458 Win Mag, you might as well splurge on the better barrel. That's my opinion...

Can't speak to foreign affairs, but since the election we haven't really paid much attention to those anyway. It does look like Congress is about to pass a metric-ton of expen$ive legislation that'll effect our great grandkids while we're not watching though. Stay tuned. (Glad to see you back safe and sound BTW!)

What does Michael Jackson call a Tickle-Me Elmo doll? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Bait.

Such being the case, how the heck did we elect the most liberal candidate in recent history in the last presidential election??

Have patience. I think it took something like three months from the time I applied online till my license showed up. Just because you apply online doesn't mean there is not an actual person on the other side who has to print all this off, manually review and verify you and your information, file this somewhere and send you a copy. Also keep in mind that if firearms sales in the last twelve months are all related to C&R applications, the BATFE is probably experiencing a record number of applicants and are probably over swamped. Remember, we're moving at the speed of beauruacracy here. You'll get it; eventually.

What creative people can do with firearms and set of tools never ceases to amaze me. Good one Sonic!

WASHINGTON, DC - After more than 30 years spent hiding in the Los Angeles underground as wanted criminals, the members of the crack commando unit Alpha Team, commonly known as the A-Team, were cleared of all charges brought against them by the U.S. military, Army and DoD officials announced Monday. "In 1972, we arrested the members of the A-Team for a crime they swore they didn't commit," Army General Stephen Lupo said. "They broke out of our maximum-security stockade, and from that moment forth, I thought of nothing but their recapture. However, a recent audit of their file has revealed that the arrest of the Alpha Force members was made in error. The U.S. military deeply regrets the mistake." According to Lupo, the A-Team members' exoneration will occur before the Armed Forces Appeals Board on August 24. Just hours after Lupo's announcement was made, Army Captain H.M. "Howlin' Mad" Murdock, the A-Team's pilot, resurfaced to speak with journalist Amy Allen, who often reported on the mercenaries' charitable acts. "For decades, we've been forced to live in the shadows," Murdock said. "Somehow, we always found a way to help people who had nowhere else to turn, but we operated under the constant threat of recapture. Finally, the nightmare is over." Added Murdock: "Owooohh, I'm a little doggie! Ow ow owooohhhh!" Murdock and the surviving members of the team -- the classically handsome Lieutenant Templeton Arthur "Face" Peck and the Mohawk-sporting mechanic, Staff Sergeant Bosco "B.A." Baracus -- said their joy over the announcement was tempered only by regret that their de-facto leader, Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, was not alive to see their names cleared. "Somewhere up there, Hannibal is smiling down on us -- maybe disguised as a giant crocodile or a wealthy diamond merchant," Peck said. "He loved it when a plan come together." "More than any of us, he would have enjoyed seeing the look on [Colonel Roderick] Decker's face when our innocence was announced," Peck continued. "Decker hated Hannibal ever since they served together back in 'Nam. Decker never could stand his cocky attitude." Smith was gunned-down in front of a Las Vegas casino in 1994. The A-Team members said that, although they presume the Army's offer of freedom is legitimate, they have taken precautions. "We formed a backup plan in case things turn out to be on the 'jazz'," Peck said, using the team's code phrase for a troublesome situation. "Murdock's gonna perch a helicopter on top of the courtroom. B.A. found a broken Howitzer in a junkyard, got it working again, and got it mounted in our van. We also have a whole team of troubled teens B.A. befriended and taught valuable lessons. They placed explosives throughout the courtroom and along our subterranean escape route. If need be, they'll blow that courtroom apart." Peck admitted that their escape plan might be too crazy to work, acknowledging the possibility that he will be punched in the face during the escape. He also noted that stacks of cardboard boxes might break the falls of the military personnel thrown into the air by the A-Team's explosives. "Just to be safe, I romanced a beautiful court stenographer and convinced her to smuggle some smoke bombs in with her," Peck said. "All in a day's work." Lupo said he expects an uneventful trial, explaining that, as restitution for the military's mistake—a typo which attributed crimes committed by the H-Team to the A-Team—the court will award Peck, Murdock, and Baracus honorable discharges, a written apology from Decker, and 32 years' back pay. Murdock said his primary concern at present is getting Baracus to fly from L.A. to Washington, D.C. for the trial. "He keeps calling me a 'crazy foo' for trying to get him to fly," Murdock said. "I told him the chance of the plane crashing into a field of rednecks harassing a religious group was very slim. I'm thinking that if we drug his milk, we can get him on the plane." Baracus said that he has big plans for his settlement. "For the last 30 years I've been a soldier of fortune," Baracus said. "Now, I'm going to take the money and do something for the kids. I'm gonna start a gym. A gym for the kids. For a long time, that's been my dream. But I couldn't open one with [Gen. Hunt] Stockwell on our tail. He'd use a tank to send shells through the side of it." Added Baracus: "I pity the fool that tries to blow up my gymnasium now!" While the original members of the A-Team have been exonerated, the same cannot be said for Frankie "Dishpan" Santana, a special-effects expert who helped the team escape Stockwell's clutches in 1986. Santana, who remains charged with dereliction of duty, desertion, and insubordination, spoke with reporters from a holding pen at Fort Bragg. "I suppose it would be too much to ask the guys to break me out now that they're finally legit," Santana said. "If I'm lucky, maybe they'll put me in a cell that has a blowtorch in it for some reason, or air ducts large enough to crawl through. Or maybe they'll just do a sloppy job of guarding me—but that may be too much to ask." Within hours of his interview, Santana escaped using a blowtorch to open the cell's air ducts while the guards were having lunch in a different room. His whereabouts are currently unknown.