Anyone load 7.62 CETME?

Walk Softly · November 28, 2002, 11:57 PM

I'm looking for load data in 7.62 CETME for Spaniish Guardia Civil Carbine. I have one coming and want to get some plinking ammo loaded up.

Jerry Stordahl · December 1, 2002, 11:19 PM

Any .308 loading data from a recent reloading manual should be all right. I'd go with 150 gr. bullets for a semi auto.

Johnny Guest · December 2, 2002, 01:56 AM

You request, " load data in 7.62 CETME for Spaniish Guardia Civil Carbine."

Are you referring to the carbine itself as being a CETME, a plastic stocked semi-auto or a bolt action Nauser used by the Guardia, and chambering the same cartridge as the CETME?

I understand the GC used some of the bolt guns. I THINK the FR7 version is built on the older model actions, and is considered a little weak for "hot" .308 Win. loads. I also think the FR8 is on the Mauser 98 action and should be safe with any sane .308 load.

There have been some allegations that the Spanish military ammo for the CETME rifle was loaded somewhat lighter than standard .308 (7.62X51 mm NATO) ammo, in deference to the older-action bolt guns.

This, admitedly, is an area with which I am not familiar. erhaps some other member could set me straight on the FR7 and FR8 carbines, and the Spanish ammo.

In any case, my question is still: Is your carbine a bolt or autoloader?

Best,
Johnny

Mule · December 2, 2002, 04:14 PM

There was an article recently in ShotGun News about this subject. It recommends that 7.62 Nato or .308 Winchester NOT BE USED in these guns. The pressures run too high. Original ammo was a light weight aluminum bullet. I wish I could remember more details.
Mule

Jim Watson · December 2, 2002, 06:08 PM

As best I recall - can't find it in a book on hand - the 7.62 CETME load is a 123 grain bullet at 2450 fps. I don't know of any .308 data that light, but the Lee manual has a procedure for calculation of very reduced loads. Or just go with the starting load in any manual, they seem to run about the same pressure as a 7x57.

Walk Softly · December 2, 2002, 10:29 PM

Johnny,

I was refering to a bolt action carbine that was rechambered to accept the 7.62 X 51 CETME cartridge. I have received quite a bit of feedback on loads, but no references to any printed material on the subject. I have a cartridge reference manual coming that I hope will shed some light on the matter. There has been quite a bit of variation in what people believe is the correct bullet weight, I'll probably be starting at 110g @ 2400-2500 fps. I have found some .308 loads in this range in my manuals.

Thanks for all the inputs!

Mule · December 6, 2002, 12:37 AM

I found the November 20, 2002 issue of Shotgun News. An article by Paul Scarlata states that the 7.62 NATO round should be avoided in Model 1916 and 1943 Mausers chambered for 7.62 CETME. The 7.62 CETME generates 41,500-42,000 C.U.P. while the 7.62 NATO generates 55,200 C.U.P.
Mule

Gewehr98 · December 6, 2002, 10:55 AM

for light cast-bullet loads. You can shoot a lot, fairly cheap, and keep the pressures down.

November 28, 2002, 11:57 PM	#1
Walk Softly Junior Member Join Date: November 26, 2002 Location: Parkersburg, WV Posts: 6	Anyone load 7.62 CETME? I'm looking for load data in 7.62 CETME for Spaniish Guardia Civil Carbine. I have one coming and want to get some plinking ammo loaded up.

December 2, 2002, 01:56 AM	#3
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Let's see if I understand properly, Walk Softly - -- You request, " load data in 7.62 CETME for Spaniish Guardia Civil Carbine." Are you referring to the carbine itself as being a CETME, a plastic stocked semi-auto or a bolt action Nauser used by the Guardia, and chambering the same cartridge as the CETME? I understand the GC used some of the bolt guns. I *THINK* the FR7 version is built on the older model actions, and is considered a little weak for "hot" .308 Win. loads. I also think the FR8 is on the Mauser 98 action and should be safe with any sane .308 load. There have been some allegations that the Spanish military ammo for the CETME rifle was loaded somewhat lighter than standard .308 (7.62X51 mm NATO) ammo, in deference to the older-action bolt guns. This, admitedly, is an area with which I am not familiar. erhaps some other member could set me straight on the FR7 and FR8 carbines, and the Spanish ammo. In any case, my question is still: Is your carbine a bolt or autoloader? Best, Johnny

December 6, 2002, 12:37 AM	#7
Mule Member Join Date: October 16, 2002 Location: Franklin County Missouri Posts: 84	7.62 CETME I found the November 20, 2002 issue of Shotgun News. An article by Paul Scarlata states that the 7.62 NATO round should be avoided in Model 1916 and 1943 Mausers chambered for 7.62 CETME. The 7.62 CETME generates 41,500-42,000 C.U.P. while the 7.62 NATO generates 55,200 C.U.P. Mule __________________ Shoot Safe! Shoot Often!

December 6, 2002, 10:55 AM	#8
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	Sounds like a good candidate... for light cast-bullet loads. You can shoot a lot, fairly cheap, and keep the pressures down. __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

December 1, 2002, 11:19 PM	#2
Jerry Stordahl Member Join Date: July 9, 2000 Location: Halstad, MN USA Posts: 96	Any .308 loading data from a recent reloading manual should be all right. I'd go with 150 gr. bullets for a semi auto.

December 2, 2002, 04:14 PM	#4
Mule Member Join Date: October 16, 2002 Location: Franklin County Missouri Posts: 84	There was an article recently in ShotGun News about this subject. It recommends that 7.62 Nato or .308 Winchester NOT BE USED in these guns. The pressures run too high. Original ammo was a light weight aluminum bullet. I wish I could remember more details. Mule

December 2, 2002, 06:08 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	As best I recall - can't find it in a book on hand - the 7.62 CETME load is a 123 grain bullet at 2450 fps. I don't know of any .308 data that light, but the Lee manual has a procedure for calculation of very reduced loads. Or just go with the starting load in any manual, they seem to run about the same pressure as a 7x57.

December 2, 2002, 10:29 PM	#6
Walk Softly Junior Member Join Date: November 26, 2002 Location: Parkersburg, WV Posts: 6	Johnny, I was refering to a bolt action carbine that was rechambered to accept the 7.62 X 51 CETME cartridge. I have received quite a bit of feedback on loads, but no references to any printed material on the subject. I have a cartridge reference manual coming that I hope will shed some light on the matter. There has been quite a bit of variation in what people believe is the correct bullet weight, I'll probably be starting at 110g @ 2400-2500 fps. I have found some .308 loads in this range in my manuals. Thanks for all the inputs!