Lee book and MAS 49 load

[abunaitoo]

I checked around the web and found some loads using IMR4895.
Something not right.
Loads from the web
150gr condom..........46.0
150gr condom..........41.0

Lee book load data list
7.5x54 MAS
150gr condom..........31.9 to 36.0
.308 Win
150gr condom...........42.1 to 45.5
30/40 Krag
150gr condom...........32.6 to 36.0

Question:
1) If the Lee load is for the MAS36 and not the MAS49, and less powder is used, what is a safe load for the MAS49????
2) 46.0gr is over the max for the .308 Win. Seems unsafe to me. What do you guys think????
3)What load data should be close to use in the MAS49?????
4) Any suggestion for a condom load????

[madsenshooter]

The MAS 49 was converted to 7.62 Nato, so you know the action will handle .308 pressures. I'd start at low .308 data and work up from there. Let me go see what ammoguide has. Ammoguide shows up to 49gr with H4895, the rifle had an 18 in barrel so I assume it was a 49. You have about 4gr more capacity in the 7.5x54 case, so what is max in the .308 wouldn't necessarily be max in the 7.5x54. The 49gr H4895 load produced 2705fps.

[crazy mark]

What I have read on the mas 36 and 49/56 is the pressure range is closer to the 30/40 than 7.62. Of course you can take the barrel off and set it back and then ream for the 7.62 but personally I have stayed away from those rifles. They did make some 49/56's in 7.62 nato but not sure what changes if any they did. Most loads I have seen are about 45,000 cup max and not 50,000 cup. That 4895 load doesn't sound right. Lyman changed loads for H335 between #46 and 47 by about 5 grs less in #47. It will shoot cast. Use Richard Lee's reduced load calculations and you will hit on the right combination. I use 311414. 311413, 311332 and 311334 in my Mas 4956 and 36. Start at 23 grs 4198 and work up to 28 max on the cast bullets I have listed or ones that are very close to the same weight as them.

[StarMetal]

The 7.5 French is every bit the equal of the 308.

[Dakoma]

The 7.5 French is every bit the equal of the 308.

I have loaded for the 308 converted Mas 49-56 and also hav 2 Mas 36 rifles and feel the same as you about it beeing everybit the equal.I hapened to get one of the good rifles Century converted and like it alot and have shot factory Win.ammo through it without a problem it funtioned verry smooth and had little recoil.The Mas 36 7.5 X54 is equally as strong ,dont let the rear locking lugs make you think it is a wimpy round I make mine from once fired 6.5X55 Swede and just run them in my die and expand to 30cal and load ,you will read about trimming but I have not had any come up over length it is good to check though,mine come up alittle short.They are verry acurate also I can put 5 rounds in the bottom of a coke can with the iron peep sights at 100yrds with 150gr bullets,it seems to like them best and in my rifle used 308 Win. load data not a Max load but a good one and had no problems or sighns of over presure.Some like to make fun of the French and their rifles but I dont and gave $50.00 apiece for mine and they look brand new,one is dated Sept.15th 1952 I like it the best it is one year exactly older than me and man can it shoot.

[StarMetal]

Rifles with similar actions (not the gas systems) are the SVT38/SVT40, FN49, SKS, to name a few. They are very strong actions.

In equate my 49/56 as to finish and quality, and quality of materials use...they are Lexus's. The French make very very good products.

There are some real knowledge fellows over on the French guns section on Gunboards.com, quite a few from France, that I consider experts on these rifles. A good place to learn stuff.

I find it interesting the French chose a 1 in 11 twist to basically a cartridge that is very close to our 308, which we opted for a 12 twist. They are a left hand twist too, not that it makes it any better.

I've seen the 49/56's made up into an AR platform with free float front tubes and AR fire control/stock system.

[jonk]

I just use 308 data. Any slight lack of strength (I doubt it, these guns are built like tanks) is made up for by the greater case capacity.

[abunaitoo]

I loaded 32.0, 33.0, 34.0, 35.0 gr of IMR4895 with 150gr condom bullets.
All cycled the action.
32.0 had slight blowback on the neck. Primer round. 1" to 2" at 50 yds. Ejected shells at 2:00 range.
33.0 no blowback. Primers a little less round. 1" to 2" at 50 yds. Ejected shells at 2:00 range.
34.0 Primers little flatter. 2" to 3" at 50 yds. Ejected shells at 3:00 range. Slight dent on side of case.
35.0 Primers flat. 2" to 3" at 50 yds. Ejected at 3:00 range. Slight dent on side of case.
Only loaded 5 rounds of each load, so I didn't shoot at 100 yds.
33.0 gr load looks to be the best for my rifle.