What's wrong with my Mauser? Pics inside

[Hollerpoint]

I was given this Mauser rifle by my father-in-law for Christmas. It had been in their family for a number of years. It's chambered in 7x57 and is in really nice shape. It has been converted to sporter configuration and is one of the nicest conversions Ive seen. I'm not sure what model Mauser it is...maybe someone else knows. Here's the problem. I chambered a round and shot it. It sounded normal, no gasses came out the port on the side, and the round ejected with normal effort. Is this a headspace issue? The ammo was some NOS Federal Premium. Here are the pics of the primer issue.

 

[Hopkins]

Looks to be excessive headspace.

 

[Redlg155]

I may be incorrect, but it looks like you may have had a round with a loose primer pocket. You don't mention if there were subsequent rounds fired, so there should be no problem if this is a single isolated event. However, if it happens with several rounds, you may have a headspace problem.

I've had primers fall out before when shooting my AR. For this reason Machine gun ammo usually has crimped primer pockets.
But the I'm far from an expert.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Low pressure American made 7x57 combined with the somewhat generous 7x57 chamber specifications.

Higher pressure loads will set the primer back into the case as the case head stretches back after firing. But will probably be stretched badly.

I had an almost new interarms markX that did the same thing.

posted via mobile device.

 

[rcmodel]

Possibly excess headspace for the primer to be able to back out that far.

But low pressure is the real culprit.
Note the primer is not flattened in the least and appears unfired were it not for the FP dent.

If pressure had of been high enough, the case would have stretched to fit the available headspace and reseated the primer. And it would have been at least flattened a little.

It might be the old military barrel has a loose bore to start with, or it may be shot out in front of the chamber enough to give a lot of free bore, which would result in lower pressure then normal.

I'd try another brand of ammo.
If it still does it, take it to a gunsmith and have the headspace & bore size checked.

rc

 

[Hollerpoint]

Ive fired about 5 rounds out of this thing and every primer looked identical. Is this rifle safe to shoot? Also what model is it?

 

[rcmodel]

Hard to say from the poor pictures.

The safety has been replaced, and the bolt handle turned down for scope use.

Looks to be a 93 or 95, but better picture of the bolt with it out would help.

rc

 

[Hollerpoint]

Do these help?

 

[tryshoot]

Maybe reloaded shells. If so loaded not hot enough.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Maybe reloaded shells. If so loaded not hot enough.

Its federal ammunition in a metric caliber.

They aren't loaded hot enough they come that way new

posted via mobile device.

 

[tryshoot]

Primer setback is usualy caused by not enough preesure. Headspace on that cart. is on shoulder , not rim or belt

 

[Hollerpoint]

What kind of ammo should I try next? What would happen in the event of case head seperation? Would the gas port on the side of the receiver save me?

 

[R.W.Dale]

What kind of ammo should I try next? What would happen in the event of case head seperation? Would the gas port on the side of the receiver save me?

Let me put it this way.

I will not shoot a small ring Mauser without wearing ansi approved safety glasses at the time.

European made ammunition is typically loaded to more realistic pressures.

Do you have any ammunition remaining you can use to post a pic of a fired case next to a new one?

posted via mobile device.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Gas port, YES
model, could be a few, I'll take a stab at a model 93 OR one based off the 93 (like a 95 etc.) as it's a flat bottom bolt, there were lots of countries that used this rifle or a model based off it, from Turkey to the original customer, Spain.

Also, I do believe that 7 Mauser, is a rimless, so the headspace is on the shoulder.
Oh, and the small ring (or at least the early ones) lack the 3rd locking lug, so if the chamber lugs break, there is no receiver lug to stop the reward movement of the bolt.

 

[tryshoot]

I have reloded ammo and put in var. boxes w/holders. Head stamp is only proof what it is orig. was. No bulliet wt. powder, or crimp, or lot.

 

[NCsmitty]

What kind of ammo should I try next?

I suggest not trying any other ammo at this point, until you have the rifle checked by a knowledgeable gunsmith for proper headspace and condition.
If you get the okay, get some Prvi-Partizan or Wolf Gold ammo as they are loaded a bit higher pressure than U.S. ammo, and closer to the original 7mm Mauser.

You'll likely find markings under the front scope base to identify, unless they were polished off.


NCsmitty

 

[tryshoot]

how do you know it is 7x57

 

[Samclrk]

It looks like there is a big indent around the firing pin hole .Like the bolt face is not flat..Looks like the primer can go back in the bolt enough to make the primer back out into the bolt.Especially since they all are backing out.

 

[NCsmitty]

It's likely a M1893 Spanish Mauser, indicated by the flat base of the bolt front face.


NCsmitty

 

[vtuck2]

Quote:
"I'd try another brand of ammo.
If it still does it, take it to a gunsmith and have the headspace & bore size checked."

I think I'd do things in just the opposite order. Have the head space checked before you fire it again!

V

 

[Old Dog Man]

Mauser problem

I wouldn't shoot it anymore, take it to a smith have the bolt face cut flat and re-headspaced that will solve the problem. That bolt face looks like a gravel road it's cut and erroded so bad. Al

 

[lefteyedom]

I agree with Old Dog Man about having the bolt face cleaned up.

The cost of re-headspacing the old barrel would be about the same as installing a new barrel. sooooo

While you are at the gunsmith you could have it rebarreled.

The barrels in the old rifles often are in rough shape.

For about $120 you can get a new 257 Robert barrel from Numrich

You would have a very nice nearly new deer rifle for less than $200.

Just thinking out loud...

 

[303tom]

I agree with the guys, its a 1893 & the bolt is the problem. Here is what a good one should look like, don`t shoot it anymore with that bolt..........