Mauser M98

The Mauser M98 Das Original is the current production flagship from Mauser Jagd- und Sportwaffenfabrik — a genuine controlled-round-feed bolt-action rifle built in Oberndorf, Germany on the same action geometry that defined the modern bolt rifle in 1898. New for 2026, Mauser has added .300 Winchester Magnum to the Das Original lineup, bringing the most versatile of the long-range hunting calibers into the most historically significant action available. Impact Guns carries the full M98 Das Original lineup.

Read our full Mauser M98 Das Original Buying Guide ↓

New for 2026: .300 Win Mag

The most significant addition to the M98 Das Original lineup for 2026 is the .300 Winchester Magnum chambering — the first time this caliber has been offered in a factory M98 Das Original. The .300 Win Mag brings the M98's controlled round feed advantages to one of the most versatile long-range hunting cartridges available, covering everything from elk at 400 yards to African plains game. It ships in the magnum action with a 24-inch barrel and 3+1 capacity with the magnum recoil pad system.

Mauser M98 Das Original Specifications

Standard calibers (.308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield): 22-inch barrel, 5+1 capacity, standard action. Magnum calibers (.300 Win Mag, .375 H&H Magnum, .416 Rigby): 24-inch barrel, 3+1 capacity, magnum action with red safari recoil pad. All models feature: DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated bolt for wear resistance and smooth cycling; hand-selected Grade 5 walnut stock; gold-colored set trigger; safari iron sights front and rear; double square bridge action; machined steel construction throughout. The set trigger breaks at approximately 3.5 lbs in standard mode and can be set to a hair-trigger pull for precision shots.

Controlled Round Feed vs Push Feed: Why It Matters

The M98 Das Original uses a true controlled round feed (CRF) action — the extractor grabs the cartridge rim as it leaves the magazine and maintains control through chambering and extraction. This is the mechanism preferred for dangerous game hunting where a malfunction during a charge could be fatal. Push-feed actions (used in the majority of modern bolt rifles) release the round before chambering completes, creating a small window where a double-feed can occur under stress. For hunting elk, bear, or African dangerous game, CRF provides a meaningful safety margin that experienced guides and PHs specifically request.

DLC Bolt Coating: What It Does

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating is applied to the M98 Das Original bolt body and locking lugs. DLC is a harder surface treatment than traditional polished steel, reducing wear on the bolt body and locking lugs over thousands of cycling cycles. Its low friction coefficient makes bolt operation noticeably smoother — a meaningful benefit when cycling a magnum cartridge under field conditions where hands may be cold, wet, or gloved.

M98 Das Original vs Weatherby Mark V: Premium Hunting Rifles Compared

The Weatherby Mark V and Mauser M98 Das Original are the two most prominent premium production bolt actions available. The Mark V uses a 9-lug action with push-feed design, offers a wider caliber selection, and is more broadly available in the US market. The M98 Das Original uses CRF, is built on the historically original action, and is manufactured in Germany with traditional hand-fitting. For dangerous game and collectors who want provenance, the Mauser wins. For shooters who want the widest caliber selection and slightly lower entry cost, the Mark V is the practical alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mauser M98 Das Original?
The M98 Das Original is the current-production premium hunting rifle from Mauser, built in Germany on a true Mauser 98-pattern controlled round feed action. It is not a budget or entry-level rifle — it is positioned as a collector-grade and serious hunting rifle with hand-selected walnut, DLC bolt coating, and safari iron sights. Available calibers for 2026 include .308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, .375 H&H, and .416 Rigby.

Is the Mauser M98 a push feed or controlled round feed?
The M98 Das Original uses a true controlled round feed (CRF) design with a non-rotating extractor. The extractor captures the cartridge rim as it exits the magazine and maintains mechanical control throughout the feeding and extraction cycle. This is one of the primary reasons dangerous-game hunters and professional hunters (PHs) in Africa continue to specify Mauser 98-pattern actions for heavy caliber rifles.

What is the difference between the .300 Win Mag and .375 H&H in the M98 lineup?
Both are magnum-length chamberings in the larger M98 action with 24-inch barrels and 3+1 capacity. The .300 Win Mag is the versatile long-range hunting choice — appropriate for elk, moose, and African plains game at extended distances. The .375 H&H is a minimum recommended caliber for dangerous game (cape buffalo, elephant, hippo) under African hunting regulations and is a classic double-rifle caliber adapted to the bolt-action format. Most North American hunters will prefer the .300 Win Mag; dangerous-game hunters should consider the .375 H&H.

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