Mauser

The Mauser M98 Action: Why It Still Matters

The Mauser M98 bolt-action design, introduced in 1898, established the mechanical blueprint that most modern bolt-action hunting and sporting rifles still follow. Its controlled-round-feed system — where the extractor engages the cartridge case as soon as it exits the magazine rather than at the moment of chambering — provides positive cartridge control through the entire feeding cycle, making it extraordinarily reliable under adverse conditions including mud, grit, and extreme temperatures. The M98’s three-position safety, non-rotating extractor, and Mauser claw design became the model for Winchester’s Model 70, many Ruger rifles, and virtually every high-end custom rifle built on a controlled-feed action. For collectors, hunters, and rifle enthusiasts, owning a Mauser M98 is owning the source document of modern bolt-action design.

M98 Das Original: The Current Production Mauser

Mauser GmbH’s current flagship is the M98 Das Original, built in Isny im Allgäu, Germany, to the exact mechanical specifications of the original 1898 design but with modern manufacturing tolerances and premium wood and metal finishes. The M98 Das Original is available in standard and Magnum actions covering calibers from 7x64 Brenneke through .375 H&H and .416 Rigby, with hand-checkered walnut stocks, deep-blued barrels, and a level of fit and finish that reflects its position as a premium hunting rifle. It is not a budget firearm — it is a deliberate statement piece for hunters and collectors who want the original Mauser action in its most refined modern form. The M18 offers a more practical field hunting rifle at a lower price point, with a synthetic stock and modern features while retaining the Mauser name and German manufacture.

Mauser Rimfire: .22 LR Rifles

Mauser produces a line of .22 LR rimfire rifles under the Mauser Rimfire name, bringing the brand’s precision engineering heritage to the entry-level target and training rifle market. The Mauser Rimfire bolt-action .22s are designed for youth shooters, new rifle shooters, and experienced shooters who want a quality .22 for practice, small game, and target shooting. They share the clean bolt-action feel and European build quality associated with the Mauser name while operating in the low-cost, low-recoil .22 LR rimfire cartridge that makes them practical for high-volume shooting. The Mauser Rimfire line complements the centerfire M98 and M18 by giving Mauser fans an entry point that doesn’t require a centerfire budget — and a training rifle that matches the bolt-action manual of arms of their larger Mauser rifles.

Who Buys a Mauser?

Mauser buyers fall into three distinct groups. The first is the serious collector or heritage hunter who wants the original controlled-feed action in its finest modern form — the M98 Das Original is their rifle. The second is the practical hunter who wants German-built quality in a field-ready package — the M18 fits this profile. The third is the shooter looking for a quality .22 rimfire for training, small game, or introducing new shooters to bolt-action rifles — the Mauser Rimfire line serves this buyer. Across all three groups, the Mauser name represents a direct line to the most influential bolt-action design in history, and that heritage is a meaningful part of the purchase for most Mauser buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Mauser

What is the Mauser M98 action?
The Mauser M98 is a controlled-round-feed bolt-action design introduced in 1898 that became the template for most modern bolt-action rifles. Its defining features are a non-rotating extractor that grips the cartridge from the moment it leaves the magazine and a three-position safety. It is widely considered the most reliable bolt-action design ever produced.

Is Mauser still making rifles?
Yes. Mauser GmbH is based in Isny im Allgäu, Germany, and currently produces the M98 Das Original, the M18 hunting rifle, and the Mauser Rimfire .22 LR line.

What calibers does Mauser make?
The M98 Das Original is available in a range of European and American hunting calibers from 7x64 Brenneke through large-bore safari calibers including .375 H&H and .416 Rigby. The M18 covers standard hunting calibers including .308 Winchester, .30-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and others. Mauser Rimfire rifles are chambered in .22 LR.

What is the difference between Mauser M98 and M18?
The M98 Das Original is the premium flagship — hand-fitted walnut, deep-blue finish, controlled-round-feed action, German manufacture, premium price. The M18 is a practical field hunting rifle with a synthetic stock, modern features, and a lower price point while retaining Mauser’s German manufacture and quality standards.

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See Also: Mauser M98 • Bolt-Action Rifles • Hunting Rifles • .22 Rifles