Scored a nice 1891 Argentine Mauser !

[Eldon]

Somewhat sporterized, crest gone, great bore, but $240 so will be fun with boolits !

More dies, cases, molds to buy ...... terrible !

Would appreciate suggestions on sourcing clips, cases, molds etc.

201750

201751

[Scharfschuetze]

Your Model 91 looks like many that were sporterized and sold at Sears and Montgomery Wards back in the 60s. The modifications, as with your rifle, were well done and the bores on most of these are in good condition.

I make my brass from LC 30/06 cases using an RCBS trim and form die. I have good results doing this. I like SR 4759 powder, but it's getting scarce now. 4198 or 3031 will work well in its stead. For cast bullets, I like the Lyman 314299 (208 grains) sized to .314" at about 1,800 fps for best accuracy and long range performance. The short neck on the 7.65 case will necessitate a lube grove outside of the neck unless you want to seat the bullet down deeply. I like mine seated out to just work through the magazine as the lead in the Argentiniens is pretty long.

Stipper clips for the Model 1891 and 1909 Rifles are odd in that they do not have guide ribs on them like most service rifle stripper clips of the era. The extension on the bolt release provides pressure on the clip to ensure function when it is inserted into the clip guide on the receiver bridge.

Good luck and good shooting with your new rifle.

[Eldon]

Thanks ! Found new cases and dies @ Graf. SARCO has the missing Front band, spacer for it and rod. Good winter project to undo "duffle cut". Already have a Mosin mold, good place to start.

Any ideas on sourcing clips ?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Congratulations! You will like the rifle even more after you shoot it, and still more yet when you begin reloading for it. If needs be you can easily make brass from .30-06. The Argies ground the crest off from a huge number that were originally imported into the U.S., but in subsequent smaller shipments in later years allowed them to remain. I have two full length rifles, both without the crest, as well as two that have been cut down, also without the crest, but one engineer carbine with the crest. It's hard to imagine that a rifle could have ever been made to higher standards than the 1891 for fit and finish. As for clips, I guess you've tried Gun Parts Corp. and SARCO? Also try e-bay. The good thing is that you don't really need a clip to load the rifle's magazine.

[BeoBill]

Numrich is a possible source of stripper clips also.

I love shooting my 91 Arg. Tack driver at 100 yds.

[Scharfschuetze]

You might be interested in this add for Model 1891 Mausers. In my youth, these rifles were available by the dozen at sporting goods counters at many stores. Your rifle quite possibly was sold at Montgomery Wards or Sears to its first civilian owner.

[7br]

If the serial number indicates 1899 year of manufacture, be sure to slug the bore






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[Texas by God]

If the serial number indicates 1899 year of manufacture, be sure to slug the bore






Sent from my SM-G930V using TapatalkI have to ask-why 1899 and not any other year?

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[Dutchman]

It doesn't have a magazine lock and is made by Ludwig Loewe so its an early one and antique per U.S. law.

My C-prefix was made in 1892.

Dutch

[Eldon]

I guess he is suggesting, with no evidence, that the early ones somehow had a different bore dimension. I find it hard to believe any peacetime Lowe product was not subject to stringent inspection and did not meet purchaser's specification.

[leadman]

Good idea to slug the bore no matter the year of production. I have 6 of these and bores run from .311" to .315". I have replaced some of the really bad barrels with NOS, most of which had tighter bores.
The PPU loaded ammo I find is somewhat on the hot side for the tighter bores. Varies with the gun used.
Be aware that the base of the original ammo was slightly larger than cases based off the 30-06. Both function fine except the smaller bases might be too loose in the clips.
14grs of Unique with the 314299 matched to the bores makes a very accurate load for plinking.
Dutch is correct about the magazine lock, unless someone has removed it. Look for a hole in the triggerguard just in front of the magazine.
If you want to PM me the serial number I can look up the date of manufacture and some other info you might be interested in.

[7br]

My argentine was manufactured in that year. Everything I read said to size to .314. When I did, bullets were going through the target sideways. My smith took a cast of the chamber and let me know the bore was .319. Life has been much better since I found that out

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[Scharfschuetze]

I have two of them (G and H prefixes) made in 1894. The bore on one is .311" and the bore on the other is .313." I run my 314299 bullets through a .315" sizer and shoot them like that in the rifles. Accuracy is about as good as it gets with any old military rifle and cast bullets. The .311" bore rifle shoots the best. Probably because the bore riding bullet is in tighter contact with the lands.

50 and 100 yard 10 shot groups with the 314299 bullet (Alox & GC) using 4759 powder in cases formed from LC brass.

[flint45]

91's are one of my favorites.

[Earlwb]

I had one as a kid, teenager and adult. I used it as my deer rifle for quite a few years too. I bagged several deer with it as well. Nothing wrong with them. I gave mine to my brother in law and he didn't like it as he didn't want to reload and factory Norma ammo was getting expensive. So he sold it or traded it, instead of returning it to me.

[DonMountain]

Your Model 91 looks like many that were sporterized and sold at Sears and Montgomery Wards back in the 60s. The modifications, as with your rifle, were well done and the bores on most of these are in good condition.

I make my brass from LC 30/06 cases using an RCBS trim and form die. I have good results doing this. I like SR 4759 powder, but it's getting scarce now. 4198 or 3031 will work well in its stead. For cast bullets, I like the Lyman 314299 (208 grains) sized to .314" at about 1,800 fps for best accuracy and long range performance. The short neck on the 7.65 case will necessitate a lube grove outside of the neck unless you want to seat the bullet down deeply. I like mine seated out to just work through the magazine as the lead in the Argentiniens is pretty long.

I have two of these rifles also, one a long rifle and another one just like the shortened one in the advertisement you showed. I also have the same mold and was wondering if you would suggest to us how many grains of 4759 might produce the 1800 fps you had luck with?

[guicksylver]

I have two of them (G and H prefixes) made in 1894. The bore on one is .311" and the bore on the other is .313." I run my 314299 bullets through a .315" sizer and shoot them like that in the rifles. Accuracy is about as good as it gets with any old military rifle and cast bullets. The .311" bore rifle shoots the best. Probably because the bore riding bullet is in tighter contact with the lands.

50 and 100 yard 10 shot groups with the 314299 bullet (Alox & GC) using 4759 powder in cases formed from LC brass.

I thought you said you were old..those groups with iron sights don't indicate THAT..fine shooting my friend!

[Larry Gibson]

Scharfscheutze is old.....almost catching up to me.........but he can still shoot very, very well.........:drinks:

[oldblinddog]

I have a carbine whose lands are a blur. The Lyman 314299's, sized 0.313" hit the target sideways but some of them are usually in a "group". I have yet to decide whether I need a new (larger) mold or a new barrel.

[guicksylver]

I have a carbine whose lands are a blur. The Lyman 314299's, sized 0.313" hit the target sideways but some of them are usually in a "group". I have yet to decide whether I need a new (larger) mold or a new barrel.

Before you go to either of those extremes ..try;

1. Use some antimony (lino) in your alloy and see if you can't get the mold to throw a larger bullet

2. Size to .314....

One of my shot out Remington 03's went from being a sideways shooter to sub MOA gun by going up .001" in boolit size..

[oldblinddog]

My alloy is 93/3.5/3.5 (nominal). My bullets fall out of the mold at 0.314". I don't think 0.314" will cut it on this one, but maybe.

[Scharfschuetze]

I have two of these rifles also, one a long rifle and another one just like the shortened one in the advertisement you showed. I also have the same mold and was wondering if you would suggest to us how many grains of 4759 might produce the 1800 fps you had luck with?

Don,

I'm overseas right now, so I don't have access to my data. I'll check when I get back.

[oldblinddog]

21.5 gr SR4759 with the 314299 is what you want.

[Pb4me]

I have an Argentine made in 1896. The Prvi Partizan brass seems fine and their ammo shot OK too. Of course my eyes are less forgiving lately. As mentioned in other replies, besides casting for it, you can make the cases by using a trim die from RCBS. Part number is 14365 and its a "Group A" die. It's marked "Trim 7.65mm X 53 Belgium Mauser". Yes its marked Belgium for that version. I used some .25-06 cases I was given and had no other use for. You can use .30-06, .270.... whatever is in that same cartridge head family and length. The instructions are very clear and its easy. The Lyman 314299 shot well for me also. 18.5 grains of SR4759 averaged 1630 fps and got down to 1 5/8 inches at 100 yards. The 400 sight setting was dead on at 50 yards and hit 4 inches low at 100. Wheel weight boolits, water dropped and homemade lube. Good luck with it and enjoy it.

[Eldon]

The rifle arrived. As with all auctions, things may not be as stated. Only paid $160 for it TMD but has crack behind rear tang (easily fixed) but the bore is not VG as described. It's a tad rough and a bronze brush and JB didn't fix it. Looks like when my brass and dies arrives, fire lapping will be tried. Happily have 313 boolits and bullets. More to follow.

[Texas by God]

Every time a nice original or sportered 91 has shown up for me to buy- I didn't have the cash.
Someday I'll get one because it and the 1871 are the only Mausers I've never tried.

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[Kosh75287]

Someone asked about cases for the 7.65x53. Forming the cases from .30-06 or 8x57 Mauser requires trimming and thinning the newly formed case neck. Forming them from 7x57 Mauser KINDA works, but expect lotsa split necks. Best brass to use is military 7.62x51 NATO brass. Yes, the neck will be short, but it will still be usable. And, if the brass starts to stretch, who cares? No need for trimming!

[AntiqueSledMan]

I also formed brass from military surplus 06, wasn't to bad a job but I did end up turning the necks with a RCBS neck turning tool. If I'd known back then I think I'd just run a reamer through instead. I haven't played with it much lately, mostly shot .311 Hornady's from it. I did purchase a Lee C312-185-1R mold but haven't cast any yet. Of course with brass available now, it would be a no brainer to just buy factory brass (correct headstamp).
I did see the upper hand guards available on eBay, not sure how much.