Besides the hand loading only because of the long chambers are there any other reasons not to own a 1902 Rem Rolling Block chambered in the old 7mm Mauser?

What's the pressure limit for this gun?

Of all the ones I owned, I only shot one; busted the others down for the actions. I fired standard military ball out of it, and for sure, headspace is huge compared to standard specs. Primers tend to back out, a lot! I would limit them to 40K psi, special fire formed, long brass, loads.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Of all the ones I owned, I only shot one; busted the others down for the actions. I fired standard military ball out of it, and for sure, headspace is huge compared to standard specs. Primers tend to back out, a lot! I would limit them to 40K psi, special fire formed, long brass, loads.

Thanks, is it just because of the excessive headspace or should the action be limited to 40K psi for everything?

BTDT. The original chambering made reloading "modern/standard" brass a PITA. I had it rebarreled, it's now a 38-55.

I became very circumspect about the Model 1902 after examining the remenants of one in an Oregon gun shop. The rifle appeared to be in pristine condition, and the shooter -- until then a real rolling block enthusiast -- was allegedly firing older surplus military ammunition without incident when the action opened up on him like a flower and he lost an eye and nearly his life.
I currently have two, a Swede in the original 12.7 X 44, and another Swede that was re-arsenaled in the 1890s for the 8X58 smokeless round and rebarreled to .50-70. My own thought is to regard them as in the same class as Trapdoor Springfields.

And I should have said, Do Not fire standard 7mm ammo in one. Do as I say, not as I do situation.
Yes, making that brass is a pain; so making it a 38-55 is a better alternative anyway.
I limit the pressures because they are very old.

Amending to say I have a third -- a Danish rolling block in essentially .45-70, thanks to dpcd! Haven't shot it yet, but soon -- with black powder loads.

Thanks guys, I guess I'll pass on buying one.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Amending to say I have a third -- a Danish rolling block in essentially .45-70, thanks to dpcd! Haven't shot it yet, but soon -- with black powder loads.

You'll have a good time, mine is still orig 11.7x56R. Also have a Swede convert still in 8x58R. Rolling blocks are fun.