Mauser 98 misfiring

[bigpete]

So,today on a goat hunt,I had my m98 in 35 whelen misfire on a goat at 7m. Luckily,because I'm a stealthy bugger,I was able to reload and finish the job. Buuuuuut.....this is the 3rd misfire from this gun in 15 shots !
Now,I've already had the heads pace checked and adjusted,and I've fitted a heavier firing pin spring. The firing pin certainly appears to protrude from the bolt face enough. I believe these were reloaded using federal large rifle primers but there is potential they were reloaded with CCI large rifle primers. The firing pin isn't gunked up or anything, I cleaned it and the bolt body out when I replaced the firing pin spring back when I bought the gun. So,aside from perhaps the primers ( which I've used on all my other calibres with zero issue I might add ), what could be some other things to look at ? A misfire is fine when goat hunting,but no good if I'm chasing deer or anything that might have a go back.

[bigrich]

Definitely odd Pete. The Mauser 98 is renowned for it reliability. I had a mate have a problem like that a while ago with a batch of reloads . Only thing we could think of was when he loaded it was high humidity and he was dripping sweat. That problem with his rifle only happened on that batch of reloads. Any manufactured item can be potentially a dud too .

Or you could just buy a model 70 . Sorry Pete, couldn’t help myself, hope you solve it mate

[No1Mk3]

Appears isn't good enough, measure your pin protrusion to confirm it is within specs. Did you check the primers on the mis-fired cartridges, ie: fire a 2nd time to see if they worked? A bad batch of primers can occur. Cheers.

[bigpete]

Appears isn't good enough, measure your pin protrusion to confirm it is within specs. Did you check the primers on the mis-fired cartridges, ie: fire a 2nd time to see if they worked? A bad batch of primers can occur. Cheers.

Definitely tried firing again on a couple when I was target shooting,no dice.
The firing pin protrudes enough that any further I'd nearly be worried it might puncture the primer,although the dent on today's primer is minuscule,so I dunno

[bigpete]

Definitely odd Pete. The Mauser 98 is renowned for it reliability. I had a mate have a problem like that a while ago with a batch of reloads . Only thing we could think of was when he loaded it was high humidity and he was dripping sweat. That problem with his rifle only happened on that batch of reloads. Any manufactured item can be potentially a dud too .

Or you could just buy a model 70 . Sorry Pete, couldn’t help myself, hope you solve it mate

I already have a model 70

[bigrich]

Definitely odd Pete. The Mauser 98 is renowned for it reliability. I had a mate have a problem like that a while ago with a batch of reloads . Only thing we could think of was when he loaded it was high humidity and he was dripping sweat. That problem with his rifle only happened on that batch of reloads. Any manufactured item can be potentially a dud too .

Or you could just buy a model 70 . Sorry Pete, couldn’t help myself, hope you solve it mate

I already have a model 70

If one is good, two is better
I just read your reply to no1mk3 . Shallow strike on the primer ? Maybe there’s drag on the firing pin inside the bolt somehow ? I realise you’ve probably checked everything twice, but sometimes it’s the simple things we overlook. Maybe it is as simple as bad primers. Do another load from another batch of primers maybe and see if you can’t rule out the primers themselves. If it’s not them it would have to be the bolt. Actually, maybe drag on the firing pin from the trigger sear somehow ? I apologise for any suggestion that may seem stupid, but thinking outside the box can sometimes yield results

[bigpete]

Definitely odd Pete. The Mauser 98 is renowned for it reliability. I had a mate have a problem like that a while ago with a batch of reloads . Only thing we could think of was when he loaded it was high humidity and he was dripping sweat. That problem with his rifle only happened on that batch of reloads. Any manufactured item can be potentially a dud too .

Or you could just buy a model 70 . Sorry Pete, couldn’t help myself, hope you solve it mate

I already have a model 70

If one is good, two is better
I just read your reply to no1mk3 . Shallow strike on the primer ? Maybe there’s drag on the firing pin inside the bolt somehow ? I realise you’ve probably checked everything twice, but sometimes it’s the simple things we overlook. Maybe it is as simple as bad primers. Do another load from another batch of primers maybe and see if you can’t rule out the primers themselves. If it’s not them it would have to be the bolt. Actually, maybe drag on the firing pin from the trigger sear somehow ? I apologise for any suggestion that may seem stupid, but thinking outside the box can sometimes yield results

Nah,nothings stupid. I have indeed gone over everything multiple times,which is why I'm scratching my head a lot. I'm not discounting that it might be the primers,but if thats the case why are they only causing issues with one gun ? Weird. Maybe its a combination of a bunch of things. I definitely need to measure the firing pin protrusion though,even if I do think its out far enough myself.

[dnedative]

Light strikes yeah?
Military 98's generally smack the arse out of them pretty good, not much to go wrong.
What the trigger and cocking piece look like?

[bigpete]

Light strikes yeah?
Military 98's generally smack the arse out of them pretty good, not much to go wrong.
What the trigger and cocking piece look like?

The trigger is a timney.
Everything else looks normal to me

[Oldbloke]

Could be the primers.

https://www.australianhunting.net/index ... c=271519.0

[bigrich]

One thing to consider, they made LOTS of different batches of Mauser 98’s , from lots of different factories. it’s common to mix and match parts. Maybe something is just not quite right. The light firing pin strikes makes me think the pin is catching or dragging on something occasionally

[bigpete]

Could be the primers.

https://www.australianhunting.net/index ... c=271519.0

That link won't work unless you're a member.
It could be,but then you'd think all the other ammo I've loaded using them would be having similar problems

[Oldbloke]

OK. The thread was about a bloke had same issue with CCI primers. But no definitive cause found,

If they have been OK with other ammo then must be the rifle/pin of related to seating of primers I guess. Head space perhaps?

[bigpete]

OK. The thread was about a bloke had same issue with CCI primers. But no definitive cause found,

If they have been OK with other ammo then must be the rifle/pin of related to seating of primers I guess. Head space perhaps?

As i said in the first post,I've already had the headspace checked and adjusted.
I have heard that some people have has trouble with CCI primers so maybe I'll try changing that aspect

[northdude]

How does it go on factory ammo

[bigpete]

How does it go on factory ammo

What is " factory ammo " ?
Ha ha,I don't buy factory ammo for anything really,but this did come with some,and it was worse and was the reason I got the headspace done and fitted a stronger firing pin spring....

[Oldbloke]

Spring replaced, pin protrudes enough, head space checked, primers ok in other ammo.

"firing pin protrudes enough that any further I'd nearly be worried it might puncture the primer, although the dent on today's primer is minuscule, so I dunno"

Possible reasons:
Cases over sized, creating excessive head space.
Primer not seated.

[Wm.Traynor]

Maybe the chamber was cut too long and the ammo is out of reach of the firing pin.

[bigpete]

Maybe the chamber was cut too long and the ammo is out of reach of the firing pin.

Hence why its been in to the gunsmith already and had the headspace adjusted,as I'm sure I've mentioned a couple of times

[bigpete]

Spring replaced, pin protrudes enough, head space checked, primers ok in other ammo.

"firing pin protrudes enough that any further I'd nearly be worried it might puncture the primer, although the dent on today's primer is minuscule, so I dunno"

Possible reasons:
Cases over sized, creating excessive head space.
Primer not seated.

Cases are only neck sized.
Primers seated flush.

[Oldbloke]

Spring replaced, pin protrudes enough, head space checked, primers ok in other ammo.

"firing pin protrudes enough that any further I'd nearly be worried it might puncture the primer, although the dent on today's primer is minuscule, so I dunno"

Possible reasons:
Cases over sized, creating excessive head space.
Primer not seated.

Cases are only neck sized.
Primers seated flush.

Not much left.
Blunt firing pin?

[Oldbloke]

About a dozen responses along the same lines as this thread. But no solution.

tempFileForShare_20220605-105218_662549956891798.jpg (209.21 KiB) Viewed 6591 times

[straightshooter]

Excess headspace is unlikely to be the source of the ignition problem. I know of individuals who have fired loaded 308 rounds in a 30/06 chamber in order to produce a nearly straight sided 308 case but that is not a recommendation that any reader try it.
It can be done in a M98 because the case is held securely by the extractor and the ignition system, if in good condition, has enough energy to do it.
The firing pin protrusion should be no less than 0.055" and ideally about 0.065" and the tip should be a smooth hemispherical shape.
The original poster 's problem is likely due to the combination of a number of potential deficiencies and could be any combination of these:
Insufficient firing pin protrusion
Blunt tip on firing pin
Bent firing pin
Other source of friction in in bolt.
Primers not seated hard enough
As for the comments suggesting a Winchester M70 is superior in igniting primers, compare these numbers:
M70 (post 64)
Primer impact velocity - 13.0 fps
Primer impact energy - 68.1 inch ounces
Primer impact impulse - 0.87 ounce seconds
M98 (standard)
Primer impact velocity - 15.1 fps
Primer impact energy - 130.2 inch ounces
Primer impact impulse - 1.44 ounce seconds

[bigpete]

Excess headspace is unlikely to be the source of the ignition problem. I know of individuals who have fired loaded 308 rounds in a 30/06 chamber in order to produce a nearly straight sided 308 case but that is not a recommendation that any reader try it.
It can be done in a M98 because the case is held securely by the extractor and the ignition system, if in good condition, has enough energy to do it.
The firing pin protrusion should be no less than 0.055" and ideally about 0.065" and the tip should be a smooth hemispherical shape.
The original poster 's problem is likely due to the combination of a number of potential deficiencies and could be any combination of these:
Insufficient firing pin protrusion
Blunt tip on firing pin
Bent firing pin
Other source of friction in in bolt.
Primers not seated hard enough
As for the comments suggesting a Winchester M70 is superior in igniting primers, compare these numbers:
M70 (post 64)
Primer impact velocity - 13.0 fps
Primer impact energy - 68.1 inch ounces
Primer impact impulse - 0.87 ounce seconds
M98 (standard)
Primer impact velocity - 15.1 fps
Primer impact energy - 130.2 inch ounces
Primer impact impulse - 1.44 ounce seconds

Out of that list the first 3 may be an issue,the last one definitely isn't

[animalpest]

Thats funny because I had the same issue this week. Two cartridges failed to fire in a Tikka .223. The same primers were loaded into a .222 on the same day and there has been no issue.

The only thing that has changed is that I am using new ADI brass in the .223.

[northdude]

If its barely marking the primer when it miss fires and its got a strong spring in it id be checking that the firing pin isnt binding in the bolt..

[bigpete]

Yeah,I was just chatting to a mate who knows a fair bit about mausers and I'm going to soak the bolt body in petrol and give it a good scrub out

[bigrich]

If its barely marking the primer when it miss fires and its got a strong spring in it id be checking that the firing pin isnt binding in the bolt..

That was the only logical conclusion I came to if the primers aren’t the problem. Firing pin is occasionally dragging on something causing a weak strike

[bigrich]

[quote="straightshooter"]
As for the comments suggesting a Winchester M70 is superior in igniting primers, compare these numbers:

My comment to Pete to buy a model 70 was just kidding around. But if he won’t get another one maybe I should.....

[bigpete]

As for the comments suggesting a Winchester M70 is superior in igniting primers, compare these numbers:

My comment to Pete to buy a model 70 was just kidding around. But if he won’t get another one maybe I should.....

Atm I'm earning less than 500 a week.....I certainly shouldn't have really bought my 58.....definitely not buying another model 70