MAS 36 which caliber

[MikeSSS]

There are MAS 36's around in almost new condition.

Some are in the original 7.5 x 54 caliber and some are converted to 308.

My thinking is to use the original caliber if I can find a rifle in that. Brass can be formed from 6.5 x55 Swede.

But, 308 would not be bad either. Anybody know if the 308 rifles shoot as good as the 7.5's?

Problems I forsee with 308 might be too long a throat because the original cartrige was longer and bulging of the case because the original cartrige is a little bigger in diameter.

Edit: If it is only case buldging, perhaps 308 could be formed from 6.5 x 55 to prevent the buldge.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance.

[NVcurmudgeon]

I have a MAS 1936 in 7.5 French. In very limited firing it has worked very well with jacketed bullets. I have heard of bad rechambering jobs on MAS semi-auto rifles, but haven't seen any yet. Don't know about any rechambering of the French bolt rifles. It is very easy to form 7.5 MAS from Lapua 6.5 X 55 cases. Forming .308s from 6.5 X 55 might be troublesome. The 6.5 x 55 has a .480 head size, vs. the .473 of the .308.

[trooperdan]

Mike, definitely look for a MAS in the original caliber; most if not all of the .308 rechambering jobs were done by the semi-trained beavers at Century Arms. Calling the work sloppy would be a great understatement!

[KCSO]

308's are a ***. The chambering was sloppy, the barrel shortened and the recoil lug for the stock not re centered. All the fore stocks were loose and of the 12 I sold 11 came back for work or complaints of accuracy. With the loose foreends the rifle would not hold a group. The original rifle in 7.5 always shot decent groups for me, but the lack of a safety and the 2 piece stock limited their appeal.

When they sold for #39.95 they were a bargain at over $100 I would pass on this as any type of practical rifle, I would rather have a Lebel or a Berthier, you know a practical rifle.

[Buckshot]

..........The correct brass for the issue caliber is available at Graf & Son for prices close to what you'd pay for 308 or 30-'06. Since the bore and groove 'May' be a tad smaller then our std .300x.308" but using 30 cal jacketed bullets generally cause no problems. I say 'May'because the spec tolerances were close to our bore and groove and over time people have reported their MAS as being a bit off and exactly matching the .300x.308" size.

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

[Dutch4122]

Just slugged the bore of my MAS 36 (chambered in the original 7.5x54) a couple hours ago and she went .307" exacly. I could not be happier as I have a RCBS 30-180-SP mould that drops 'em at .309"

[JudgeBAC]

My MAS 36 is in the original 7.5 French caliber. It shoots surplus ammo 1/2" at 50 yards and reloads inside 2" at 100 yards. It is an odd looking rifle but mine was an arsenal refinished gun that looked brand new when I bought it. I think it was a typical French battle rifle, unfired dropped once. At any rate, I love mine and it shoots better than any other surplus weapon I have. (a VZ24 8mm; German 98K 8mm; Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk IV; SKS). Havent tried cast in it yet but only because its in my round to it file. I agree with the other assessments about the .308. Everything I have read about the conversions is they were very sloppy and poorly done.

[Herb in Pa]

I have both the 36 and the 49/56 in their original chambering, both function well and have a decent level of accuracy for a battle rifle. I have shot some very acceptable groups with the 49/56 with J bullets and a scope.