Wanted: paper punching load for Spanish mauser

[bluejeans]

i have a Spanish Mauser that was given to me for a smithing project... I have read up on the controversy regarding this guns strength with 308 loads and while I think that this gun can handle 308 ( has been successfully shoot 308 for decades) I did get it for a smithing project so will probably err on the side of caution and rebarrel it to something lighter and fun like 7.62x39 or 300 aac blackout....
ok, that said, there are some shooting events coming up soon that have a special class for old military rifles and since this Mauser hasn’t gone under the knife yet I’d like to use it to participate in the 25 yard bullseye shoot. I’ve been searching around for reduced loads using pistol powder... I see Enough example of people using unique, 2400 and trail boss to trust those as a place to start... I’d prefer unique since I already have a supply of it. I’ve been seeing charges of 10-16 grains so was thinking to start with 12 gr Behind a 150 bt .
Any thoughts? Anyone have experience with this or have other recommendations?
I’m not looking to “work up” the load or push it any faster... just need a reliable POP and a hole in the paper.
Thanks

 

[Galil5.56]

Sounds like a fun project utilizing cast bullets... Have you considered using cast? I myself have really enjoyed using cast in 30 cal rifles, from gallery loads to full power/almost full power depending on caliber, using many in the mid-range. Unique has been a favorite for this task, as has Red Dot. My use of 2400 was pretty much in getting about 3/4 or more power. Cast allows you to play with diameters, alloys, lubes, etc all at a low to extremely low cost if you cast yourself.

Good luck on your quest.

 

[bluejeans]

I have everything I need to cast.. even have mold block for six different bullet weight from 100-220 but I haven’t actually done any yet and since the first match is in one week I don’t think it’s a good time to start (well, not for the scope of this project anyway... I wouldn’t want to be rushed when I’m figuring out how to handle a pot of molten lead.)
So unless I can find some cast bullets locally to purchase, I’ll just be using jacketed

 

[Slamfire]

I am not going to suggest a cast bullet load. I am going to suggest a 308 load, that based on what I see in the reloading manuals, is around, or less, than the 43,000 psia 7mm Mauser loads that your Spanish Mauser was designed and built for. This load is a 168 Match, 39.0 grains IMR 4895/H4895/AA2495, any case, any primer.

I used used this load, in my match bolt guns, for 200 yard standing and sitting rapid fire in NRA competition. I claim it is a very accurate load, based on these 20 round targets shot at 100 yards. These targets were shot prone, single loaded, iron sights, in a 100 yard NRA reduced course match.

One of mine:



A bud of mine shot this, he is an amazing shot:

 

[bluejeans]

Thanks slamfire, I’m going to test your recommendation as I have plenty of 168 match bullets (800 at a yard sale!)
For comparison I looked in my manual and it lists the starting charge with 4895 of 40.0 gr giving 2390 fps so a charge of 39 grains should indeed be a soft shooter

 

[bluejeans]

Loaded up five test rounds of slamfire’s recipe... shot nice and soft and poi was right on. Was shooting offhand so my group wasn’t anything spectacular..

Incidentally I learned that an empty 30-30 case holds 39.5 grains of imr4895.. using that as my dipper for now.
I’m sitting down now to load up a box of these to take to tomorrow’s shoot.
Thanks slamfire

I am still interested in a good pistol powder load if anyone else has one to contribute