A couple of weeks ago I picked up a nice Spanish Mauser at a flea market for $75. After I got it home and did some research on it (M1916 carbine rechambered to 7.62CETME)I got a little "gun-shy" about shooting it. I picked up some cheap South American 7.62 NATO ammo and was assured by the shop owner that it would be OK. Tonight I loaded her up and shot the thing at arms length...just in case. Did that three times then shot it from the bench. It was getting dark and I couldn't see that teeny front sight very well but did manage to start a group at 25 yds. Anyone have any first hand experience with one of these? I'm thinking of downloading some .308 Winchester brass. Any ideas?

Do you have the FR-7, a '96 deriviate, which cocks on closing, or an FR-8, a '98 derivative which cocks on opening?

I shot both models with surplus ammo, and I tell you that people are fibbing when then say you need all ten fingers to touch-type 80 words a minute. Just kidding.

My question is: What the heck are the range increments on the rotary rear sight? I've shot 25 to 150 yards with the open notch, so what are the peeps for?

I had an FR-7 once and it absolutley positively was too soft for commercial .308. It set the lugs back enough to feel it when you lifted the bolt. I used starting loads for it and had no problem but if I wanted a 30-40 I would have bought one.

[ 10-26-2003, 00:03: Message edited by: tigertate ]

Downloading would be a good idea. Based on what I've read the CETME round did not reach the pressure of the 7.62 NATO round. Previous posters have suggested using .300 Savage load data.

The 1893 Mauser action was designed for a working pressure of around 42,000 psi vs the 7.62 at 52,000. While a few 7.62 NATO rounds might not cause your rifle to destruct, a steady diet certainly could lead to lug setback and excessive headspace which could!

The .300 Savage load would probably better duplicate the CETME round and that would lead to better sight regulation and less recoil/muzzle blast which would equal a more pleasurable shooting experience. Be safe and have fun!

hello, my first post. i have some original
cetme ammo; and it is loaded with a 112 grain
bullet and seems very mild. it did cycle my
cetme rifle. i remember reading the velocity
was around 2300 fps; and it was supposed to be
designed for the original cetme rifle and was
an intermediate assault rifle cartridge.
i did shoot some hot .308 through my fr-8
with no apparent ill effects; but i plan to handload some milder rounds in the future.

cloudbuster, seems I've heard that the apertures on the FR8 rotary site were, Highest to Lowest: 500m, 300m, 200m and the open notch 100m. This does not apply to my cast loads.
The front post is ajustable for windage and elevation by loosening the set screw (good luck) and turning the off center post, this also changes elevation. This does apply to my cast loads.
cukrus

I owned one of those Spanish 1916 models and have read a article that is posted at the samco global web site that talks about the amount of pressure these arms can hold up to under shooting stress. I will try to post the article here on another reply. but if I remember right they said the gun was able to withstand pressures will over the sammi standard.

here is the article I was talking about: web page I think this is the same gun that you are talking about.LLB

[ 11-20-2003, 21:41: Message edited by: Littleloadingblock ]