Found a Mark X online that had been modified as 'Cutaway' display.
Purchased it for the remaining parts as the price was right.

Front ring and chamber has been machined.

Have been told many times that drilling scope mounting holes in the upper lug can weaken an action.
Or that opening the magazine well for longer rounds is dangerous.
Etc.

From reading materials written in the early 20th century at the apex of using the Mauser actions for custom rifles, I believe that the 98 is much more resistant to failure and stronger than many believe.

What I will be doing is firing a number of factory loads to see if they lead to any failure. If it is still together, I will move 'up' to the hot Turk ammo.

If there is no failure, I could load some rounds over maximum, but without a pressure gun I wouldn't know the failure point.

It is my suspicion that even if I reach the point of case failure, the action will withstand it, even with the top of the front ring milled away.

I have several 8mm pull offs with trashed bores.
Have at least a dozen milsurp bolts on hand, so should be able to find a combination that will have proper headspace.

Also have a couple hundred rounds of surplus 8x57 ammunition on hand. Including a couple boxes of Turk, which is reported to loaded rather hot.

A wooden fixture (block of wood) that would hold the stripped action and trigger could be screwed too would be simple.

Will set up the GoPro type cameras and add a long string.

Anyone want to guess the number of rounds until headspace becomes excessive or a case lets go?

From arrival to prepared for the 'test'.

Bolt stop, bottom metal and trigger removed. Trigger replaced with one from my parts box.

FN Milsurp Bolt

The only 8x57 headspace gauge I have is a 'Field'
(WWI KAR98a barrel)

Doesn't close on 'Field'!

Factory Ammo

Closes on factory ammo. (Notice I removed cocking piece and firing pin. Safety first!)
Will need to get a set of Go/No Go or make a field expedient gauge with a piece of brass and some tape.

I am not sure when I will be able to get to the range to do this. <br /]Posting on a forum creates some pressure to get it done. [/color">