The MarkX is most likely made with stronger more modern steel. The older ones were machined and finished better than some of the more recent imports.

The commercial FN may be more desirable for those looking for a good value in a 98 style rifle.

From my vantage point as a custom gunmaker, the 09 DWM Argentine (and other German/CZ military contract system-98) are machined, polished and fitted to a higher level of precision and repeatability. The reason for this as a military contract firearm sold by the 100 thousands is obvious.

The FN military contract actions were not finished as nice as the DWM actions.

Many of the commercial FN and MarkX actions have the H-ring instead of the C-ring. This saved $ during manufacturing. The 98 was designed when ammo was unpredictable and injured soldiers from firing overloads was quite common.

H&H and other British makers have used the military contract 98 actions for 100 years to build best quality bolt guns. I'm not sure they used very many commercial FN or MarkX actions. Because of this precedence, putting the same amount of labor in building a best quality rifle from these different actions will retain very different values going forward for the next 100 years.

My objective as a custom gunmaker is to create something that will be handed down for generations.

However, there are many, many more interested in hunting with a reliable 98 style rifle that doesn't take several days/weeks to complete.

DWM 09 Argentine metalwork....