Mauser M98 vs. Dakota 76 vs Custom build

[Nygaard]

Hi AH forum!

I have been hunting in Denmark, Sweden and Germany for the past 20 years, mostly using 243, 270 and 308 win.
Recently I bought a Winchester M70 Safari Express 375 H&H for driven boar and the occasional moose.

I have realized that the M70 does not tingle the right places, and I have started looking at some finer examples in the same caliber.
Also I am hoping to visit Africa some time in the future, somehow that also adds on to the list of excuses to upgrade my perfectly fine M70.

Living in Denmark where big bore rifles is not exactly off the shelf items, it narrows the selection down quite a bit,
but I have found reasonable easy access to below options.


First option is a Mauser 98 Magnum Expert, readily available at the local dealer for $7800 USD
If going this route, I would probably replace my current Blaser R8 with another Mauser 98 in 7x64 to fill that gap.

Second option is a Mauser M98 custom build by German Waffen Velser. Price is around $6300 USD as pictured.
Velser are using old M98 actions, usually DWM, Steyr or FN, Recknagel saftey & trigger together with Lothar Walther barrels.
Alternatively, this could even be based on my existing M70.
As with the first choice, I would likely add a clone Velser in 7x64 down the road.

Third option is a Dakota 76 Safari Traveler in 300 H&H + 375 H&H I have just came across on the secondhand market.
The rifle is from 2007, just before Remington got involved from what I have read here on AH. Seller is asking $6000 USD without optics.

What would be your pick for driven moose/boar + occasional safari and why?

The Mausers are fairly "common" in my area, and i think I could not really go wrong with either.
The Dakota is completely new to me, and I have never seen or handled one. Somehow though it seems very compelling...
Can it compare to the two Mauser options, or should I just knock it out of my head?


Best regards,
Christian

 

[PerH]

Reimer Johannsen have many good Mauser's also of their own production ,and own actions they make in many different cartridges.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I like the idea of the Traveller. Calibre choice is very traditional. Find someone who can make you a .275 H&H barrel, and you've hit the trifecta.

 

[KJE81]

I would choose the Dakota 76 Traveler.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

If i could only buy a M98 I n.404J at the price that you are paying

 

[Luvthunt]

Dakota is a good rifle.

 

[WAB]

There is not a bad option listed. I personally like custom guns because they are truly unique. However that Dakota is very tempting.

 

[BeeMaa]

I pick secret option #4. Keep your Blaser R8 and add a 375H&H standard weight barrel.

IMO - This is one of the very best traveling rifle options out there for a traveling hunter. The R8 Professional with the aluminum receiver and standard 375H&H barrel weigh around 7.5#, add rings & scope and it's still less than 9#. Not to mention fitting in a Pelican 1700 case with and additional caliber barrel, scopes & accessories for the trip.

If you really want a beautifully stocked timber rifle that is still a working tool, the Mauser M98 would be hard to beat. Whatever you want, you should not compromise on it. Get exactly what you want and save the money to pay for it...or you will regret it and end up trading up to get it eventually.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Ravensview]

All three options are pretty dang good, is option #1 the only option that you would be getting of your R8? If so I would do option #2 and keep the R8, with option #3 you already have the take down option covered for travel by your R8, not a bad bunch of options to have though, good luck

 

[Nygaard]

I pick secret option #4. Keep your Blaser R8 and add a 375H&H standard weight barrel.

I have been very close several times, but those Blaser barrels almost cost the same as a nice rifle on the secondhand market. I love my Blaser as a tool, it has the professional stock, semi-weight barrels and shoot like a laser with TTSX reloads.

But the Blaser dosen't have any soul, and I couldn't see myself bring it for a once in a lifetime safari trip. For the same reason, I have a slightly pimped up Merkel K5 in 7x65R on its way for the deer stalks here in Scandinavia plus I'm planning to bring it to the Alps for Chamois and Mouflon.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

For $6000 USD, if the Dakota Traveler were available in the USA where I live, I would buy it this instant!

 

[Nygaard]

All three options are pretty dang good, is option #1 the only option that you would be getting of your R8?

Knowing myself I will probably end up keeping the Blaser regardless of the outcome. I find it very hard to get rid of good rifles, and the Blaser is hard to beat in so many ways

 

[Inline6]

You are asking a group of people to answer a question that you have to live with.

My Dakota was nice, it shot under .5 MOA with reloads. The stock did not fit me just right. I felt the butt was just a little narrow, length of pull a little short. It Hammered I will give it that, was 100% reliable.

Ironically enough, it was replaced with an R8. I agree with you on the lack of soul. For me, it is a tool, the recoil impulse feels better, length of pull feels better, and it will stand up to the elements better.

The dangerous about about bringing up soul here, people will start talking about doubles hahaha.

Good Luck on your quest. They are all very nice rifles.

 

[KJE81]

I have been very close several times, but those Blaser barrels almost cost the same as a nice rifle on the secondhand market. I love my Blaser as a tool, it has the professional stock, semi-weight barrels and shoot like a laser with TTSX reloads.

But the Blaser dosen't have any soul, and I couldn't see myself bring it for a once in a lifetime safari trip. For the same reason, I have a slightly pimped up Merkel K5 in 7x65R on its way for the deer stalks here in Scandinavia plus I'm planning to bring it to the Alps for Chamois and Mouflon.

Curious about what a slighly pimped up Merkel K5 means? Is it the Arabescue version or the Jagd or the Custom one? I settled on the Jagd model for financial reasons but the Custom is really the most beutiful of them inmy opinion, of course also the most expensive.

Models aside the K5 in 7x65R is my favorite for stalking.

 

[Nygaard]

Curious about what a slighly pimped up Merkel K5 means? Is it the Arabescue version or the Jagd or the Custom one?

It is the Arabescue with slightly nicer wood than standard. Would have loved a custom with some kind of Celtic engravings, but i decided on keeping both my kidneys
The Jagd is also very nice. What glass do you have on top?

 

[BeeMaa]

I have been very close several times, but those Blaser barrels almost cost the same as a nice rifle on the secondhand market. I love my Blaser as a tool, it has the professional stock, semi-weight barrels and shoot like a laser with TTSX reloads.

But the Blaser dosen't have any soul, and I couldn't see myself bring it for a once in a lifetime safari trip. For the same reason, I have a slightly pimped up Merkel K5 in 7x65R on its way for the deer stalks here in Scandinavia plus I'm planning to bring it to the Alps for Chamois and Mouflon.

Knowing myself I will probably end up keeping the Blaser regardless of the outcome. I find it very hard to get rid of good rifles, and the Blaser is hard to beat in so many ways

Soulless but useful and hard to get rid of...that sounds like me!

 

[AZDAVE]

If it was my money I would go for the custom mauser first. It would be made to fit you exactly and you could choose your caliber. IE 7x64, 9.3x62, 404 Jeffery

Second choice would be the dakota traveler two classice round that you could hunt anything in Africa or at home

third would be the new M98 in what every caliber you choose

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My proposition Mauser m98. Good luck.

 

[Berettaco]

I’d be all over the Dakota traveler at that price! You picked 3 great rifles to choose from.

 

[KJE81]

It is the Arabescue with slightly nicer wood than standard. Would have loved a custom with some kind of Celtic engravings, but i decided on keeping both my kidneys
The Jagd is also very nice. What glass do you have on top?

I see, its a nice engraving on that one I have a Kahles Helia 2-10x50 on mine, what will you use on yours?