I just had some more questions concerning the 7.65 Argentine Mauser. As posted before I purchased this rifle believing it to be a 7 mm Mauser. But after purchasing it found that it was the 7.65 Argentine. After some deliberation I decided to keep it. Now I am finding some issues with the accuracy of this gun. I am manufacturing the cartridges using Winchester 30.06 cases that I had laying around the house. I am loading them with Sierra 125 gr. bullets with 42gr. of H-4895 with a velocity of approximatly 2650. The group with this configuration is over 10in. at 100yr. I have slugged the barrel at .3115. Would a 150gr. bullet or using a .312 diameter bullet be better in this rifle? Does anyone have a better suggestion?

My reloading manual states that factory ammunition loaded a 182gr. bullet at 2500fps and a 154gr. bullet at 2750fps. These velocities are above the max. loads listed in my manual for H-4895, will the 1891 handle this type of load? (My loading manual just states not using max loads in the 1889 action)

One more question, if I chose to change the caliper of the gun what calipers can this action handle? (Possibly 8mm Mauser)

quote:

Would a 150gr. bullet or using a .312 diameter bullet be better in this rifle?

Yes....shoot Hornady's .312 diameter 150 grain soft point.

See what accuracy you get.

Hornady lists 44 grains of IMR 4064 as max in the 7.65 Belgiqan Mauser in the 1891 Argentine mauser. At 2,700'/sec this is serious deer medicine.

It's not worth reboring or rebarreling so shoot it as is and make it do for you. There's no reason you can't significantly improve the accuracy from what you're getting.

BTW I'd be far more tempted to make cases from 8 X 57 cases than the .30-06. Look at the dimensions and decide for yourself.

Back in the late 50s and 60s you could buy all of those you wanted for about $12.00 and I did. The first one I tried to change the barrel on I crushed the action.

Some guys were running hardness tests on these and came up with some small numbers. I'd be lieing if I told you any numbers as I really don't remember. But I do know those actions were comparatively soft verses that of most Mod. 98s.

My personal feeling is that this isn't the rifle you want to push to the limit. It makes a nice collectable plinker. Perhaps you can get .310 to .312 bullets and just use reduced loads and try enjoying what you get as far as accuracy.I've seen some real pretty sporters made from them with their light colored stocks, if that's your desire, but if you ever get better than 2" at 100 yards it will be surprising. roger

vapodog,

I'm using 06 cases because I had 30 of them and was given 40 more.(don't have an 06 anymore)

This rifle has been sporterized,(modified bolt,scoped,reblued and refinished stock)
All for about 80$.

I just have heard that this action was not a very strong action,and was wondering what calibers the action could handle.

Thanks for the help.

quote:

I just have heard that this action was not a very strong action,and was wondering what calibers the action could handle.

The data I just supplied was achieved in the exact gun you have. While you don't have a M-98 that don't mean you have junk. Your action is surprisingly strong and the gun in general is extremely powerful considering it's a pre-98 Mauser.

The load I posted is direct from the Hornady manual and I have intimate trust in their data.

Nighthunter, my 1891 is an amazingly accurate rifle. However I'm using a fairly mild load, Hornady 7.65 cases, 180 gr. Speer SP, don't remember the powder (maybe reloader 15)but can look it up when I get home. I'm staying just under 2300 FPS and it regularly shoots under 1" with a peep sight mounted (has been as small as .835"), that's off a bench with good lighting at 100 yards.

I would definately advise going to a 150-180 gr. bullet or more. I'm trying to recall but it seems like the original load was a 200 or 220 gr. bullet, the lighter loads down to 150 gr. or so, came after the 1909 Argentine Mauser was introduced.

quote:

Originally posted by browningguy:
Nighthunter, my 1891 is an amazingly accurate rifle. However I'm using a fairly mild load,

***and it is a thing of beauty.I've always liked that military wood that was used on the 91s.

Browningguy
Is that a photo of your rifle? I like it I want do do one like it. I am looking into doing mine as a 303british. Same style as yours.
Dean

Yes that's my rifle. It was done up like this in the '50's, supposedly by Williams. Apparantly back then you could send any old milsurp to them and they would tart it up for you. It's the original stock, just carved and checkered, nicely I think. Everything else seems original (still has a nice crest on the front ring)with the exception of the peep sight of course, it's all put together pretty well. I paid over the top for it (around $400 as I recall), but it was such a unique looking example I just had to have it. It actually looks better in person than the photos and the barrel was in excellent condition.