Newbie Rechambering Questions

[burbaust99]

Hey all, I'mm new here and I'm looing for a little advice on a weapon that I own. I have a 1891 Mauser Argentine, its a 7.65mm. I don't have the money to get into reloading, so i was thinking about getting it rechambered to a size thats less expensive and easier to find. Are there any good sizes that would be possible to go with. I know that this is bigger than most of the popular cartridge sizes, so would it be better (more cost effective and less headache) to just leave it? Thanks all. ~Austin

 

[dfaugh]

Well, for what its gonna cost you to re-chamber, you could easily buy an inexpensive reloading setup (I'm thinking the Lee Anniversay setup). Cost for everything you need (kit+dies) would be around $100. Because of the (weak) strength of this action you are severely limited as to choices of caliber. The 7.65mm is a decent caliber. Having it rebarreled/ rechambered would cost at least 2x that much, probably more

 

[Jim K]

In spite of the designation, that cartridge is really a .303 or 7.7mm. There is some non-corrosive ammo availavle, but there is not much you can rechamber to, since the barrel itself is an odd size (.303 bore, .311 groove, the same as the .303 British). The Model 1909, chambered for the same ammo, has been rechambered to the .30-'06, but the results are not always satisfactory since the .30 bullet is a bit too small.

But I would not recommend rechambering the Model 1891, since it is an older rifle and not as strong as the Model 1909, plus its magazine can't be lengthened. I agree with the advice to go the reloading route. Any .311 bullet (for the .303 British) can be used, but to be on the safe side I would stick to .30-40 Krag pressures.

Jim

 

[Aneat]

Plenty of surplus and new manfactured ammo is available mail order. Ammo man, aim surplus, probably many others. I picked up some surplus at the gun show for $5.00/20 rounds. Grafs has about the best price on brass or you can size down 8mm mauser brass.

Cast bullets loaded to about 1500fps are fun to shoot

There great rifles, I wouldnt mess it up trying to re-chamber. If you dont want to mess with it sell it and get something else.

If its in good original condition you can easily get enough out of it for another quality rifle

 

[burbaust99]

Thanks for all the replies guys. After thinking about it and how much I shoot the rifle, it would deffinately be better for me to just spend a little bit and buy ammo for it. I would get into reloading but I'm a college student going to a private school so even one hundred bucks for a cheap setup is more than i want to spend right now. Thanks again!