Sorry for jumping your thread, but I must point out that the correct denomination of the 1891 Argentine cartridges is 7.65 x 53 (metric). These actions are here, where our gunsmiths know its limits since a century, considered somewhat weaker (lacking a third recoil lug) than a good 98 (known locally as the 1909). With a proper reheat treatment, of course you already know that the 1909 can withstand any caliber within dimensional limitations. For my money the best 1909 of them all were the reworked at the national factories and marked Modelo 1935. Good shooting.
Posts: 1020 | Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina | Registered: 21 May 2003
"I am wondering if this is a usuable maximum in this rifle."
Going any higher may cause a little set back. These actions are not real hard. I crushed one taking off the barrel around 1967 when we were paying about $12.50 for them. roger
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
They work fine in every M91 I've owned. I like the M91 action. However, every barrel seems to be a law unto itself. Once fired brass that will chamber in one gun slick as grease will resist bolt closing in another. FACTORY ammo has never failed to work well though. It is a good cartridge, too. Better or equal to the .300 Savage. I've seen a couple rebarreled to .300 Savage but I prefer the original 7.65x54mm.
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002
Loads which are OK for the M91 are about at the .300 Savage level. However, in the M1909, or the few old Winchesters that were chambered for it, it can be loaded to at or slightly above the level of a .308 Win.
I don't know what the limit is for these guns, but to be on the safe side I load mine below listed book maximums. I shoot a 150 gr. Hornady bullet at about 2,500 fps. I have never chronographed factory Norma ammo, but I might one day.
Posts: 407 | Location: Olive Branch, MS | Registered: 31 December 2003
From my carbine, Norma factory of ca. 1972 vintage gives 2681 fps. 40 gr. H4895 will push the 150 gr. Hornady at 2400 fps. 40 gr. IMR 4064 will move the 174 gr. RN at 2185 fps while 38 gr. of H4895 will move the same bullet at 2140 fps. 38 gr. H4895 will move a 180 gr. Sierra at 2189 fps. 40 gr. H4831 will move the 215 gr. Woodleigh at 2150 fps with an AD of 4 fps and SD of 6!
NONE of these loads is "pushing it" and you can easily do better. With the lighter bullets I was just looking for a shooting load and these are about .30-30 level. However I wanted to duplicate the original military load with the 215 gr. Woodleigh. I think it would be no trick at all to do 2300 fps with the Woodleigh.
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002
I wish I could get my hands on one of those rifles.
I just like to go shooting with rifles others do not have. I take my m1909 "E" serial number prefix (all matching) and shoot Norma factory ammo no problem. I haven't bothered to purchase brass since I went to school a few weeks after I bought it years ago. Once I get out of this place...
I've shot mine with Norma, the graf loads and handloads with no problems at all. These are excellent old rifles. Mine was sporterized in the 50's by Williams with a carved stock and peep sight.
Posts: 1242 | Location: Houston, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2002
Going any higher may cause a little set back. These actions are not real hard. I crushed one taking off the barrel around 1967 when we were paying about $12.50 for them. 
roger
