HELP-Cast 7 mm Mausr loads needed!

[broomhandle]

Hi All,

I have been looking for a copy new or used of The Lyman cast bullet loading book with no luck.:???:
I have a 1893 Spanish 7 mm Mauser (17 inch barrel- rebuilt in 1916)

Can anyone direct me to 7 mm Mauser cast bullet info online or make me a copy from your books?
I have only been able to find two loads for it to date.:(

I have two molds for it.
Lee 130 & a Saco 165/170

I know about the universal load of 5 to 10 grains of Unique, but want more
CAST loads that will not stress the old lady much.
Please PM me for my address, I will pay for your time, copy cost & mail costs.
Thanks for any help.

Best,
broomhandle

[jh45gun]

Well I would suspect that the C.E.Harris "the Load" 16 grains of 2400 up to 20 grains for military cartridges would be a safe bet. I just got a scope on my old Spanish 7x57 that I sporterized and that will be the load I use after I get a Mould for casting 7mm bullets. 2400 is my go to powder for cast bullet loads.

[Buckshot]

...............Have you ever slugged the barrel on that gem? Reason I ask is there aren't all that many 7mm moulds commonly available ( I don't have a Saeco ) but the ones I have, and the couple I'd been able to borrow dont throw overly generous boolits. If you can utilize them at .285" you could be in luck.

I've had good luck with:

4227 ........... 18/21 grs (ditto SR4759)
4198 ........... 21/25 grs
3031 ........... 24/28 grs
4895 ........... 26/30 grs

I use dacron with the above loads. One of the best powders I've used for cast in the 7x57 has been surplus WC860. with 42.0 grs (and grex or grex 'like' filler) you'll get about 1775 fps. On up to a full caseload which will net you about 2300 fps.

...............Buckshot

[jh45gun]

...............Have you ever slugged the barrel on that gem? Reason I ask is there aren't all that many 7mm moulds commonly available ( I don't have a Saeco ) but the ones I have, and the couple I'd been able to borrow dont throw overly generous boolits. If you can utilize them at .285" you could be in luck.

I've had good luck with:

4227 ........... 18/21 grs (ditto SR4759)
4198 ........... 21/25 grs
3031 ........... 24/28 grs
4895 ........... 26/30 grs

I use dacron with the above loads. One of the best powders I've used for cast in the 7x57 has been surplus WC860. with 42.0 grs (and grex or grex 'like' filler) you'll get about 1775 fps. On up to a full caseload which will net you about 2300 fps.

...............Buckshot


Well there is always paper patching

[Bret4207]

Well I would suspect that the C.E.Harris "the Load" 16 grains of 2400 up to 20 grains for military cartridges would be a safe bet. I just got a scope on my old Spanish 7x57 that I sporterized and that will be the load I use after I get a Mould for casting 7mm bullets. 2400 is my go to powder for cast bullet loads.

Start low with "The Loads" (13.0 Red Dot, 16.0 2400) with the 7x57. The Load was designed for slightly larger cases and bores. Drop it a couple grains to start with.

[jh45gun]

Start low with "The Loads" (13.0 Red Dot, 16.0 2400) with the 7x57. The Load was designed for slightly larger cases and bores. Drop it a couple grains to start with.

C.E Harris states it works well for all military cartridges with only the 7.2x39 being a max load with the 16 grain loading. Also depends on the bullet According to the Lyman 45th edition 123 grain cast bullet starting load is 17 grains to a max of 21 grains. 139 grain bullet start load is 17 grains and 20 grains max load 154 grains 16 start 19 max 168 grain bullet 14 grainjs start 18 grains max so for most bullets 16 grains would be starting low. Looking at the data your right about the larger cases as with the 7x57 it depends on the bullet some bullets you can load up to 20 grains some of the heavier ones you cannot. which is why I listed them here.

[broomhandle]

Hi Fellows,

Thanks for your help! This is what I'm looking for.

I will collect all the loads I pick up & give them a try! I tried it with some 168 lead bullets & used between 8 & 10 grains of Unique! It shot a really nice tight group at 50 yards.

The fellow I bought the mold from shipped, some bullets with it.
I still have to get a top punch for the sizer die.

Best to all,
broomhandle

[jh45gun]

Hi Fellows,

Thanks for your help! This is what I'm looking for.

I will collect all the loads I pick up & give them a try! I tried it with some 168 lead bullets & used between 8 & 10 grains of Unique! It shot a really nice tight group at 50 yards.

The fellow I bought the mold from shipped, some bullets with it.
I still have to get a top punch for the sizer die.

Best to all,
broomhandle

I think you got the right mould as I just read in the lyman book that they had their best luck with the heavier bullet.

[NickSS]

With a military Mauser you will find that they are thoughted long because the gun originally used a 175 gr slug. Light bullets have never shot very well for me in a service rifle.

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

I contacted Handloader magazine today.

They checked their records & had a issue in 1998 about 7mm Mauser
cast bullet loads.
It will be $10 shipped, it is on the way!

ADDED! Found a Lyman CAST bullet book on Amazon ! been looking there for the last month!

I'm sure between your help & this issue of Handloader, I should be OK

It is a sweet old 1893 Spanish Calvary carbine (17 inch barrel) most of the markings are removed, but it seems to shoot well.
Not much kick even, with new Federal 175 grain jacketed bullets- $28 a box of 20!:evil:

Thanks for all your help,
broomhandle

[Bret4207]

C.E Harris states it works well for all military cartridges with only the 7.2x39 being a max load with the 16 grain loading. Also depends on the bullet According to the Lyman 45th edition 123 grain cast bullet starting load is 17 grains to a max of 21 grains. 139 grain bullet start load is 17 grains and 20 grains max load 154 grains 16 start 19 max 168 grain bullet 14 grainjs start 18 grains max so for most bullets 16 grains would be starting low. Looking at the data your right about the larger cases as with the 7x57 it depends on the bullet some bullets you can load up to 20 grains some of the heavier ones you cannot. which is why I listed them here.

My experience with The Load was based on his first article many years ago. At that time he specifically made reference to cases larger than the 7x57. That's why I gave the caveat.

[atr]

Broomhandle,
check your email...I've sent you 4 pages of load data in PDF format.

I have found that the heavier 160gr boolit works the best with the military twist rate,,,,although the 130gr boolit has given me satisfactory accuracy.
I use 2400 in my loads as 2400 is not position sensitive. I've also use Win748 with good results.
atr

[broomhandle]

Hi atr,

Thank you, I have them all printed out!

Your a BIG help!:drinks:

Best,
broom

[captaint]

Broom, In case you still want the Lyman cast boolit handbook, Flea bay has a listing under Lyman bullet mold. I think it's the first item. Was, anyway. And about 20.00 Enjoy mike

[broomhandle]

Hi Captaint,

Thanks for the note!

My pal saw one at Amazon on last Sun night & I ordered it about 5 min. later![smilie=w:
I had been looking on Amazon for a few weeks. I was really suprised, when I could not locate a new one or a used copy!:cry:

Best to you,
broom

[Larry Gibson]

...............Have you ever slugged the barrel on that gem? Reason I ask is there aren't all that many 7mm moulds commonly available ( I don't have a Saeco ) but the ones I have, and the couple I'd been able to borrow dont throw overly generous boolits. If you can utilize them at .285" you could be in luck.

I've had good luck with:

4227 ........... 18/21 grs (ditto SR4759)
4198 ........... 21/25 grs
3031 ........... 24/28 grs
4895 ........... 26/30 grs

I use dacron with the above loads. One of the best powders I've used for cast in the 7x57 has been surplus WC860. with 42.0 grs (and grex or grex 'like' filler) you'll get about 1775 fps. On up to a full caseload which will net you about 2300 fps.

...............Buckshot


My experience with 7x57 cast bullet loads I use mirror Buckshots exactly with the exception of WC860....great minds must think alike[smilie=s: I use an RCBS 28-168-FN that drops at .287 so i got a .287 H dies to just seat the GCs and Lube the bullets. I mostly use 26 gr Milsurp 4895 with a 3/4 gr dacron filler for excellent accuracy in my sporterized M95 Chiliano.

Larry Gibson

[carpetman]

Larry Gibson--Your loads mirror buckshots exactly "EXCEPT" . Great minds must think alike. The exception is not alike maybe one of the minds is out of great area?

[Larry Gibson]

Carpetman

Did you ever answer my questions on the Accurate Loading forum defining what you call "fine" accuracy?

Again if your snide remarks are of a personal attack it would be better to go to the PM format or perhaps not to go at all, eh?

Larry Gibson

[45 2.1]

Carpetman

Did you ever answer my questions on the Accurate Loading forum defining what you call "fine" accuracy?

Again if your snide remarks are of a personal attack it would be better to go to the PM format or perhaps not to go at all, eh?

Larry Gibson

Trying to start something with Carpetman? Wouldn't be a good idea on your end..............

[Larry Gibson]

45 2.1

Wouldn't it be much nicer if you and Carpetman would try contributing something to the subject of this thread? I don't see where I tried to start anything. To the contrary I was being quite civil with Carpetman regardless of his snide remark. Apparently he see's humor only in one direction. I'm not sure this forum is the place for a threat like yours....especially since I wasn't "starting" anything.

Do either of you have anything meaningful to contribute to Broomhandle's question?

Larry Gibson

[45nut]

Jeeze guys, contribute to the thread or take it out back in pm's.

7mm Mauser is the subject here, ok?

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the load data, you have provided me with.
I have them all copied. The Lyman cast bullet book should be here tomorrow.

The back issue of Handloader (April 1998) came in to day! $10 shipped!
It has 27 cast loads for the 7 mm Mauser.

By chance it has a bunch of loads for the 400 Cor - Bon in it.
I bought a NEW barrel for a guy for $20, it was in a box of stuff he bought from a real old shooter.


Thanks for all your help & support,
broomhandle

[carpetman]

Larry Gibson---had not seen your question at accurate--but did answer. Hmmm ok for you to makl your remarks but not me? Musta hit a sore spot--perhaps you had heard that many times before?

[Bret4207]

Hey guys, they have this really neat feature here called an "ignore user" button. I understand I'm on several peoples "ignore user" list. Youse guys should try it.

[45 2.1]

Do either of you have anything meaningful to contribute to Broomhandle's question?
Larry Gibson

Just following your lead on Post #18. Maybe you should follow your own advice........ehhhh?

[Larry Gibson]

Just following your lead on Post #18. Maybe you should follow your own advice........ehhhh?

45 2.1

Was nice that broomhandle was pleased with all the help & support about load info for his 7mm Mauser that most of us provided, don't you think? Too bad you couldn't provide something useful and pertinant to his question.

Everyone is aware why you made the first post and this last one. Why don't you use the PM as 45Nut says to? I'll be glad to respond to you there.

Larry Gibson

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

PLEASE take it eazy on each other.Your both adults, I have no idea what is causing a problem. It is not my affair to ask.

We all have real problems at home & work, no need to get into the ugly zone here on the internet.:???:

I hope you work it out.

Best to all,
broom

PS My Lyman book was NOT in the mail today :roll:but the book my wife bought at the SAME time did come in! GRRRRR

[Larry Gibson]

broomhandle

In the 3rd edition of the Cast Bullet Handbook Lyman gives some decent loads for their 135 and 162 gr cast bullets. That should also give you some more data to work with. If there's a newer handbook than mine I doubt there's any newer data for the 7x57. Nice thing about the Lyman data in the 7 mm case is they cover powders from fast starting with Red Dot and go to as slow as IMR 4350. I count 11 powders for the 135 gr bullet and 13 powders for the heavier 162 gr bullet.

Slug the throat and bore if you can as I've found most milsurp 7mm's to run .285-.288". I'm not sure how we (the US) ended up with .284 as standard for the 7mm or .264 for the 6.5mm when most of their groove depths are larger than that. Anyways first thing I'd try is your bullets as close to "as cast" as you can make them. Let us know how you do. I've been so wrapped up in other tests I haven't shot my M95 in a long time. Your thread has rekindled my interest in that grand old cartridge.

My apologies for the other posts. Those two seem to get a burr under their saddles about me every once in a while and make such posts on threads like this one. Hopefully they will use the PM and we can work it out. Again thanks for the thread....now where is that m95....ok, now where's the brass......

Larry Gibson

[broomhandle]

Hi Larry,

Where is the rifle, dies, manual powder & bullets????:-?

I'm glad to see other people have this problem too!

I had the NEW 7 mm dies a week, & "lost" misplaced them for about a week.:(

Yes they were STILL on the bench on the left side were I left them.

Some how I "MISSED" them when looking for them! HOW in HELL can you miss a BIG GREEN box!!

I have to get back to shooting the rifles now.
1 -7.7 Jap, 3 -30-06, 2 - 8mm, 1- 5.56, 8 - 7.62 x 38
about 6 - 7.62 x54R

I NEVER thought this type of behavior would happen to me! :roll::twisted:LOL:confused:

I have been fooling with handguns for a few years now.
Best,
broom

[Larry Gibson]

broomhandle

When you figure out how "I "MISSED" them when looking for them! HOW in HELL can you miss a BIG GREEN box" happens let me know so I'll know how it keeps happening to me!

LOLs

Larry Gibson

[runfiverun]

it's usually under the other three green boxes.
2400 and 4895 have been the best powders in 3 out of 4 of my 7 mausers.
now that the third mold just got here we will keep on trying.
oh and the different bore sizes don't just pertain to militery stuff either.
out of the 4 one is a nice 280x284 the other three are a combination of 280-281 284-285.
fun......not

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

I have to get a pound of 2400 for the 7 mm Mauser it seems to be the one powder all the book mention!

I never used it, beside the 7mm Mauser where is it used ?
6.5 Swedish & 6.5 Jap?

Best,
broom

[RayinNH]

Broom, 2400 is a very useful powder in probably most rifle cartridges and many handgun loads as well. A powder like Unique that a cast boolit shooter should never be without...Ray

[MtGun44]

16 gr 2400 is one of THE std cast boolit loads for essentially any of the early 20th century
mil bottleneck cartridges. 10 gr Unique is another. I forget the famous Reddot load, since
I usually don't keep it in stock.

Bill

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info!

I might get a 8 pound keg if it can be used in so many firearms!

Best to all, for your help,
broom

[knappy]

Broomhandle,
check your email...I've sent you 4 pages of load data in PDF format.

I have found that the heavier 160gr boolit works the best with the military twist rate,,,,although the 130gr boolit has given me satisfactory accuracy.
I use 2400 in my loads as 2400 is not position sensitive. I've also use Win748 with good results.
atr

What is the w748 load please.

Knappy

[Old Goat Keeper]

broomhandle check out Lee's Modern Reloading manual. Lots of 7X57 info there both J-words and boolits.

Tom

[koehn,jim]

I just got back from the range with my 1908 Brazilian and had good luck with the Lee soupcan at 135 grain used as cast no sizeing my mold drops at .2875 and the gas checks fit and stay on without trouble. My best today was 24 grains of I4895 but 15 grains or 4759 was also good. The loads are doing 5 shots inside 2 inches at 50 yards. I am sure the load can be refined better, but considering the age of the rifle and the military trigger not to bad.