7x57 load in 1895 Mauser?

[killertom]

Hello,

I recently acquired an 1895 Chilean Mauser in 7x57. The rifle is in excellent mechanical condition. Since factory 7x57 ammo is very expensive where I live, I decided to get into handloading. I already have the necessary dies, components, everything. I also made up a starter load, and I'd like to get opinions on whether this would be a safe load in my rifle. So, here it is:

44 grains of Norma 204 powder,
CCI large rifle primer,
160gr. hollowpoint boattail Sierra Game King bullet.

According to the Norma reloading manual, this load should give me approximately 2448 FPS. So, the question is, would this be a safe load in an 1895 Mauser?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[Bwana John]

Your M-95 7mm Mauser should be safe to shoot with any published US loading manuals load, in the US the 7mm Mauser is downloaded because of the older rifles 7mm was chambered in that were not as strong as Mausers.

Norma follows a more European standard, and can have some pretty stiffly loaded ammo, Id reconfirm with a US loading manual.

Some US manuals will have a special section for "modern rifles chambered in 7mm Mauser (ie; Rem 700, Ruger 77, ect.) You should probably should not use that data.

 

[killertom]

Thanks, I'll do some cross referencing with other loading manuals. Funny thing the 7x57 is, according to some online sources the original military load developed around 2750 Joules at the muzzle, while later military loads approached 4000 Joules, so I'm thinking my approx. 2850 Joule reloads should be O.K.

But I will check just to make sure.

Thanks again!

 

[Galil5.56]

My Speer #10 explicitly lists your rifle as being one that the start charge for their data be considered max (work up to this). Reason is their data uses a 50k C.U.P. as max, where SAAMI max was 46k C.U.P., and they wanted to offer data intended for "modern bolt action rifles only" as well as data for other arms.

Thought I would mention this in case you ever decide to use this data.

 

[killertom]

Thanks, better to be safe! I like my eyes and hands

Could I ask you to post what is the FPS of the Speer #10 minimum load? I don't have access to that manual.

Thank you!

 

[Galil5.56]

Sorry if my post implied data for N204... Only Norma propellant shown is MRP. It does however list currently manufactured propellants and Speer 160 grain bullets:

These loads are the listed start, but for your situation as mentioned is what they consider max for your rifle:

Norma MRP 49 grains 2380 fps/725 mps

IMR 4831 45 grains 2412 fps/735 mps

IMR 4350 44 grains 2351 fps/716 mps

WW760 43 grains 2252 fps/686 mps

H414 42 grains 2292 fps/698 mps

IMR 4064 38 grains 2317 fps/706 mps

Since you denote energy in Joules, I'm guessing you are from another place than the USA (Scandinavia?), and hope if you like the data supplied, you can buy these propellants where you might be. Good luck to you!

 

[killertom]

Oh, no need to apologize, I wasn't looking for 204 specific info, I was just interested to see what kind of velocities the loading manual lists for 7x57 generally. The FPS data you posted is just slightly (less than 100) below of what the Norma manual lists, so I guess my load should be O.K.

I'm Hungarian by the way.

 

[Galil5.56]

Sounds good... Use much Rexplo propellants?

http://rexplo.hu/

If so, maybe something like NC-RT70 would work with proper data?

Here in the US, we pretty much can only get REX0-REX3.

 

[killertom]

No, disgustingly enough reloading is illegal in Hungary. I've got family in Belgium, that's where I make my ammo and then import it into Hungary on my sporting license.

Thank you for your help!