'91 Argentine Mauser

[PhilC]

Picked this up late May for something to play with. Has a sporter stock but action and barrel are original (all serial #s match), also included was the hacked up original stock and 5 boxes of PPU ammo which I'm going to break down for the brass. Incredibly, I also found 7.65 brass in stock and ordered a couple bags of 50 so I'll have plenty of brass.

284457

Have done extensive research here and a few other places and believe I've got have some solid baseline info to start with.

Bought an RCBS 314299 mould and a nice vintage RCBS die set, both should be here in 7 - 10days, and sometime this week I'm going to plug and soak the bore with Kroil.

If I can get it to shoot decently enough, I hope to use for local cast boolit matches.

I welcome any input. ;)

[NEKVT]

Looks like a fun project. I have no experience with that cartridge so can't offer anything there. But filling the bore with Kroil seems like a waste and potential for a mess. The way Kroil works I think you would get the same results just keeping the bore wet with patches while waiting on your dies and mold and an occasional brushing to remove any loosened up fouling.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

If you've already researched loads there isn't much to add, except to say congratulations on obtaining a very fine rifle. They were extremely well made, and the 7.65mm cartridge is a very good one.

DG

[444ttd]

nice rifle!!!!!

the way i strip down the barrel overnite, is to take gunslick foaming bore cleaner into the bore, i also plug it up. i do this 3 or 4 times before i go to bed. then the next day, i unplug it, use the nylon bore brush and then the patches. next step will be either sweets or shooter's choice and the brush and patches. the bore is usually done in one day(bare steel), but the bore has six or seven days with the same procedure. gunslicks overnite and sweets/shooter's choice the next day, gunslicks overnite and........[smilie=b:, the krag did it to me!!!!!:veryconfu

[PhilC]

Thanks guys, this is my first military rifle and is an interesting project. Good suggestion about Kroil, while not real expensive, it's not cheap either. I've not been able to find foaming bore cleaner locally, either local retailers don't carry it or my timing is off in finding it on the shelf. Have been using Bore Tech Carbon and Cu2 the past year or so and I've been happy with them so far, Cu2 sure gets the copper out.

Mould and dies shipped both should be here by Friday!

[444ttd]

i use kroil sparingly. if you have a bolt or screw that is gaulded up, kroil to the rescue!!!!! one time, i was trying to take off the rear sight of my 1898 spr armory and one of the screws was gaulded. drop of kroil and let it wait for about a day. i tried again, nothing. a drop of kroil and wait. i did this for four days when the screw basically fell out.

bore tech, Cu2, shooter's choice, sweets.....all do the same thing, clean out the bore.

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello PhilC,

Fun rifles, back when I purchased mine the only brass available was Norma.
I formed military 30-06 and had to neck turn them, now there is more available.
Unfortunately I don't get out with mine much anymore, when I do get out I usually carry my Swede.
The Mauser's are fine rifles.

AntiqueSledMan.

[Moleman-]

I have one and like it. For a general issue firearm they were very well made compared to what we get these days. If you're unaware, it looks like you have a smooth bolt sleeve without the two gas safety wings on them that they started putting on them later and found on later mauser models. If you have a case head separation or pierced primer the gas can go straight down the left bolt rail with a clear shot at your face. I replaced the smooth bolt sleeve with the winged style on mine. Pics of what I'm talking about and how open the lefto bolt rail is with a Smooth bolt sleeve v/s the winged type.

[PhilC]

I'm quite impressed with overall construction, s/n shows mfd' in 1892. As Moleman indicated, it does not have the safety wings but from what I've read that is easy to correct.

[kywoodwrkr]

A '91 Argentine was first rifle I reloaded for. Bought at JC Penneys for less than $20.
Took 30-06 brass, sized it in Herters 7,65 FL die, and trimmed using tube cutter to shorten .
That was 1957, I would probably do it different now, but it worked at the time.:veryconfu
Saw 91 in early '60s that receiver and bolt had been shortened and re-barreled for 45ACP.
Have '91 carbine now, and two 1908 carbines.
Have Berdan primers for when I want to reload original Argentine brass.
Thanks.