Trying a new CCOP 98 Mauser scope base

I have two custom M98 Mauser rifles. One is in the old standby .30-06. I had such trouble trying to pick a caliber some 30 yrs. ago that I finally gave up and since the guy had a bushel of WWI "new" four groove Enfield barrels he'd been saving since the 1950's I let him throw it together in .30 cal. I have been thinking of having it "rebored" since no modifications to the glass bedded stock or anything else would need to be modified. The options are .338-06, .35 Whelen, and maybe 9.3x62. But it's getting harder to find a guy that can do that kind of work. The other option is to fit a new barrel and re-bed, more doable but also more expensive. Enough so I could just buy a modern factory rifle in that caliber already.

It's rear receiver ring has been ground down to a "FN" commercial Mauser profile that scope bases are readily available.

The other M98 is an old BRNO CZ M98 from 1944. It has been sporterized with new bolt handle, safety, barrel, and stock. It's caliber is now 6mm Ackley Improved, however the gunsmith got sentimental and marked the barrel .244 Ackley. Actually a misnomer since the barrel has a 1:10" twist NOT the 1:12" of the true .244 Remington. A detail that bugs me to this day, because I know the whole true story.

This rifle has the military M98 rear receiver profile with a raised portion incorporating the "military stripper clip" notch and a slightly raised hump to facilitate entry of 5 cartridges and the thumb easily pushing them fully into the magazine. All ex-military M98's also have the left side of the receiver notched out for actual thumb clearance also for this feature.

The rub is many scope bases are not "cut" for this hump on the rear receiver ring. My old CZ has a vintage Buehler base from the glory days of sporterizing military bolt guns, it allows for the hump. The special rings are now quite collectable and not interchangeable with any other base. The new production CCOP base is set up for standard type Leupold, Burris, etc. dovetail/pinch type rings and listed for M98 and not specifically "FN98" applications. The grainy online photos seem to show that it is relieved for this "stripper clip hump" and should fit my rifle that has three holes tapped.

It seems like a simple problem but you cannot just walk into a place and get this type of special kit. However I THINK this should fix the problem and get this gun back going. I gave the Buehler low rings to Doug, he needed them, and they were too low for me.

Low ring Buehler base and rings shown mounted.

I once asked the gunsmith how they go the M98 hump to the "Remington 700 profile" he cited. He told me "a grinder, and eyeballing"! He did confess someone he thought used to make a jig, but he never used or saw one. Cripes! It takes skill! So I'm out. lol

Long way to chase a rabbit but now when you see a modified gun know there is a longer story to the situation and perhaps you can appreciate the extra work that went into remedying a minor but real problem.

This CCOP base is said to be made from steel and who knows where it comes from, an Ebay item. I'll let you know how it works out.