Wondering if anyone has done this?

I have a Spanish mauser model 16 in 7.62x51 on the 97 action. I don't like the idea of shooting it. It is tight, headspaces fine and probably would shoot thousands more rounds just fine, but I don't like the gamble.

I also want a big bore lead cartridge for elk/bear/deer on the olympic peninsula. I already cast 250 grn LBTs for my Rem blackhawk, it seems to me that that bullet at about 2100-2200 fps would do just fine and be relativly easy on the mauser action. I have seen the "bolt action 444s" either on the x51 x57 or 06 case. I would just like to use this bullet.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Ron

Not on the 308 case, but on the 30-06. To get the proper shoulder, it's best to start with Basic brass (cylinder) before it is necked down to 30 caliber.

I still have a bit of a rounded shoulder after forming in the die and to crisp it up, it does require fireforming at near maximum SAAMI pressures (for the parent case). Works nicely, though. It is a bit of trouble and gets old after awhile.

It takes someone cutting the chamber that understands the cartridge. As mine is cut, it is a bit wider at the shoulder than standard '06 specs. There are headspace issues if the shoulder was left at '06 specs, but not at the ORIGINAL 400 Whelen specs of .458". Haven't looked at a 308 Winchester, so am not sure what the shoulder specs are there.

I'd call Fred Zeglin in Casper, Wyoming if you want more info.
http://www.z-hat.com/

Ya, I read about the .458 shoulder on Z-hat last night. I'm not sure if the .308 case can go to .458 at the shoulder. There would be ABSOLUTLY no body taper as compared to an 06 case. One advantage to this is that I could use trimmed 30-06 hulls, wich would basically be cylinders.

Do you think I will make my ballistic goals?

Thanks

Ron

Do you think I will make my ballistic goals?

Thanks

Ron
You really need to ask someone smarter than I, about that... :D

Seriously, with the 250 grain slug, probably. I can run some numbers tonight and see. I can get right next to 2100 fps from a 22" barrel from my 411 Hawk shooting Woodleigh 400 grain bullets. That is about it though. I've never shot anything less than 325 grains through mine.

One day I might put together a .411 Hawk as a dedicated elk gun. This will be a truck gun for those times you happen to see that bull/boar during the season. The Hawk is quite a bit more than what I'm looking at but your numbers make me feel good about my goals. I would like to stay below 45K psi due to the action. 2100 fps with a 400 grain bullet sounds like medicine for anything. Hope you enjoy your rifle.

Ron

Different bore diameter and the X57 case, but the 9.3X57 does 2250 with 250grs. at around 40K cup.

You should be able to hit your numbers in the 08 case, but I think that I would switch back to the X57 case. Maybe even to any of the old X57 rounds that work in this pressure and bullet weight zone: 9, 9.3, 9.5

Fireplug

Keep us posted with what you do. I have the same rifle, and like you, have no interest in shooting it as-is.
But I want to do something with it.
I've had plenty of ideas, but don't do anything with them. The Brownell's/Shilen barrels in .35 Remington keep drawing my interest, but I can't explain why.

Wondering if anyone has done this?

I have a Spanish mauser model 16 in 7.62x51 on the 97 action. ...
Ron

I'm not familiar w/ the 97 action. The Mauser 98 was actually a 1897 development and not adopted by the German army until 1898. So is it a 98 mauser? If so, then the action is pretty strong.

I've heard of 93 Spanish rifles, and if that's what you have...or a 95, then you're right to be concerned about the strength of the action.

WHere/when was your rifle made?

Think he means the 93 / 95 action.

Spanish mausers are based on the older (pre 1898) action, lack the third locking lug, gas deflector on the bolt shroud, and some other internal improvements.

Definitely keep the loads on the mild side.

for shure...

I have a 93 in 9x57. Great low pressure load. Only down side is that the bullets are 356 dia and are special order items.

ANother Mauser cartridge option is the 9 x 63. Essentially a necked up 30-06. Instead of going true 9mm, you could rebarrel or rebore to accept 358 bulllets. It'd be a 35 Whelen light in long action or a 358 Win light in short action.

There's always the 9.3x62 in long action. Lots of good bullets there.

Sorry about that. There was a 97 Spanish that was a redo of the 95 Mauser. Mine is a model 1916 which is the 95 Mauser action originally in 7mm redone into 7.62x51 with some gas handling improvements. I have verified that mine is German made and so my pressure concerns are probably moot but I have them anyway. I am looking at finding the cheapest barrel I can in .41 and then figuring out the chamber. It appears this will be cheaper than a rebore. I don't know if there was any modification the Spanish did in order to shorten to the x51 case but if not then the x57 case would work. I actually have a love affair with 2400 FPS. it has been shown to be THE velocity in African Bushveld. I'll then be looking at action work for scope and cleaning up the rest of it. I am considering a model 70 style safety but might just put on the Bold with side safety. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for your interest

Ron