1895 Chilean Mauser 7x57 Which Powder?

5 STRING · March 15, 2013, 10:57 PM

I have an 1895 7x57 Chilean Mauser that I have had for many years, and would like to load some 140gr and 150gr JSP for. The rifle is a short rifle infantry model, in very good smooth working condition for its age, good action, good rifling, and extremely accurate too.

Lymans 49th says to keep the Max Average Pressures to 46,000 CUP when reloading these military rifles, but there isn't much data listed in the Lyman manual for this 7x57 round. Lee's 2nd edition has quite a bit more data but the reduced load data in Lee's manual doesn't list the pressures for each load data that they list in keeping the velocities down to around 2,300 FPS as recommended in the Lyman book. Lee only lists the Max Pressures for their Maximum charges, and they are way out of Lymans safety suggestions for 7x57.

For example = Lee says 7x57 with 36.9gr of IMR4895 and 150gr Jacketed Bullet = 2,381 FPS but although the velocities are within specs there no MAP Pressures listed in the Lee manual for the reduced data for any of the 7x57 load options.

I'm a little confused about this, and the reason is that I would like to find a good all around powder that I could use with this 7x57 with 140gr-150gr JSP and also with a 30.06 150gr JSP, I was leaning toward IMR 4895 or IMR 3031 for use in both calibers.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a dual purpose powder in these 2 calibers, or should I just use IMR 4895 for the .06 and then try to find something like IMR 4350 for the 7x57?? .. This is a little bit quirky, as I do love the 7x57 round..and I do love my .06 too. It would be real nice to have one powder that would serve both guns if I can figure it out.

Any help is greatly appreciated.....This is kind of a catch 22 situation I think

5

Michigan Big Iron · March 16, 2013, 10:19 AM

Either IMR-4064 or IMR-4895 will work fine. IMR-3031 is a little fast for those loads.

Lock and Load!

5 STRING · March 16, 2013, 09:22 PM

Big Iron, thanks for the input. I couldn't come up with any IMR 4064, IMR 4895, or IMR 3031 today but I did find some IMR 4350 and that should work fine for 95 Mauser loads, according to the Lyman and Lee manual for basically all 7x57 combinations shown that I would want to try.

I will have to keep an eye peeled for some IMR 4895 for .06 though and grab a can when it shows up. I have used it for this round and liked the accuracy and performance. It's a shame that the shelves were bare, but I lucked out and at least came up with the 4350 and a box of LRP's to boot.

March 15, 2013, 10:57 PM	#1
5 STRING Member Join Date: March 10, 2013 Location: Southern Posts: 36	1895 Chilean Mauser 7x57 Which Powder? I have an 1895 7x57 Chilean Mauser that I have had for many years, and would like to load some 140gr and 150gr JSP for. The rifle is a short rifle infantry model, in very good smooth working condition for its age, good action, good rifling, and extremely accurate too. Lymans 49th says to keep the Max Average Pressures to 46,000 CUP when reloading these military rifles, but there isn't much data listed in the Lyman manual for this 7x57 round. Lee's 2nd edition has quite a bit more data but the reduced load data in Lee's manual doesn't list the pressures for each load data that they list in keeping the velocities down to around 2,300 FPS as recommended in the Lyman book. Lee only lists the Max Pressures for their Maximum charges, and they are way out of Lymans safety suggestions for 7x57. For example = Lee says 7x57 with 36.9gr of IMR4895 and 150gr Jacketed Bullet = 2,381 FPS but although the velocities are within specs there no MAP Pressures listed in the Lee manual for the reduced data for any of the 7x57 load options. I'm a little confused about this, and the reason is that I would like to find a good all around powder that I could use with this 7x57 with 140gr-150gr JSP and also with a 30.06 150gr JSP, I was leaning toward IMR 4895 or IMR 3031 for use in both calibers. Does anyone have any suggestions for a dual purpose powder in these 2 calibers, or should I just use IMR 4895 for the .06 and then try to find something like IMR 4350 for the 7x57?? .. This is a little bit quirky, as I do love the 7x57 round..and I do love my .06 too. It would be real nice to have one powder that would serve both guns if I can figure it out. Any help is greatly appreciated.....This is kind of a catch 22 situation I think 5 Last edited by 5 STRING; March 15, 2013 at 11:03 PM.

March 16, 2013, 09:22 PM	#3
5 STRING Member Join Date: March 10, 2013 Location: Southern Posts: 36	7x57 Powder Update Big Iron, thanks for the input. I couldn't come up with any IMR 4064, IMR 4895, or IMR 3031 today but I did find some IMR 4350 and that should work fine for 95 Mauser loads, according to the Lyman and Lee manual for basically all 7x57 combinations shown that I would want to try. I will have to keep an eye peeled for some IMR 4895 for .06 though and grab a can when it shows up. I have used it for this round and liked the accuracy and performance. It's a shame that the shelves were bare, but I lucked out and at least came up with the 4350 and a box of LRP's to boot.

March 16, 2013, 10:19 AM	#2
Michigan Big Iron Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Posts: 21	Either IMR-4064 or IMR-4895 will work fine. IMR-3031 is a little fast for those loads. Lock and Load!