7mm mauser load

WacosSon · September 16, 2010, 11:13 PM

Hey all:

Just obtained a 7mm custom built rifle with a mauser 98 action. the action was originally from the korean war. Beautiful firearm, but I'm not a ballistics junkie, and rather than blow up a gorgeous gun, I'll stick to asking questions.

Is it safe to put any 7mm load thru this gun, or do I need to stick with the Federal or Remington 7mm Mauser loads that I'm finding?

jimbob86 · September 16, 2010, 11:22 PM

What nation used k98 in the Korean War? Just curious....

Fat White Boy · September 16, 2010, 11:28 PM

The Turks and ChiComs.

Major Dave (retired) · September 16, 2010, 11:32 PM

is reputed to be a strong action, but not the 93, 95, or 96 actions. Just be sure you really do have the 98. And have a gunsmith check out your specific 98 for safety. You don't say if yours was customized by a well known firm/person, or just another home hobbiest/wanna be gunsmith.

That being said, you can certainly shoot 7X57 mm loads with higher velocities than the run of the mill Rem, Win, Fed, Hornady, etc. factory loads.

What is your source for the other loads - European factory loads, private handloads, or some other source?

I personally handload my 7X57, using data from several loading manuals, and find I can safely achieve velocities about 300 fps faster than American factory loads, according to my chronograph. I load and shoot only 139/140 grain bullets, mostly Hornady Interlocks.

Scorch · September 17, 2010, 12:24 AM

Federal makes a little more reasonable 7X57 ammo than Remington does. Better accuracy, and a little faster, loaded with 140 gr bullets.

If you are going to reload, you can tailor the loads for what your rifle likes. Some rifles shoot very well with max loads, others shoot better with mid-range loads. I load mine with 140 gr Nosler Partitions to over 2,700 fps, so the 7X57 is no slouch.

HiBC · September 17, 2010, 01:31 AM

If it is a good,sound,checked out 98,you might see if Hornady makes a Light Mag load.Long ago,Norma made a warm 150 gr load.If you will handload,look at Reloader 19 powder.It is a good match.Read some loading manuals and use their data.
Its a really great,practical cartridge.

WacosSon · September 17, 2010, 05:15 PM

now y'all are making me wonder....is it in fact a mauser 98?

Was told it was by a fellow forumer, but not sure how to tell. Dunno if a picture will help, but here it is....

Scorch · September 17, 2010, 06:22 PM

Yes, you have a Mauser 98 variant (not exactly sure which variant, but they are all pretty much Mauser 98s).

Major Dave (retired) · September 18, 2010, 11:46 PM

Show me a picture with the bolt closed, so I can see how far the "cocking piece" protrudes out of the rear of the bolt. Long protrusion equals M93, 95, or 96 - about 3/4 inch. Short (about 1/4 inch) equals Model 98.

The shorter cocking piece reduces the time it takes for the cocked firing pen to fall (lock time), thus increasing accuracy, i.e., gives you less time to "wobble" away from your sight picture, after you pull the trigger, and before the bullet exits the muzzle.

Also, does it cock on closing the bolt (M93, 95, 96), or cock upon opening the bolt (Model 98)?

Also, how many locking lugs are on the bolt? Only 2 locking lugs, both at the forward end of the bolt, equals Models 93, 95, 96. But a third locking lug, on the bottom of the bolt, equals the Model 98. That's one of the reasons it is a stronger action than the earlier, 2 lug models.

A picture of the bolt, removed from the action, would be helpful.

September 16, 2010, 11:13 PM	#1
WacosSon Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Posts: 85	7mm mauser load Hey all: Just obtained a 7mm custom built rifle with a mauser 98 action. the action was originally from the korean war. Beautiful firearm, but I'm not a ballistics junkie, and rather than blow up a gorgeous gun, I'll stick to asking questions. Is it safe to put any 7mm load thru this gun, or do I need to stick with the Federal or Remington 7mm Mauser loads that I'm finding? __________________ _______________________________ Lifetime NRA member "A free people ought to be armed." - George Washington

September 16, 2010, 11:32 PM	#4
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	The Mauser 98 action is reputed to be a strong action, but not the 93, 95, or 96 actions. Just be sure you really do have the 98. And have a gunsmith check out your specific 98 for safety. You don't say if yours was customized by a well known firm/person, or just another home hobbiest/wanna be gunsmith. That being said, you can certainly shoot 7X57 mm loads with higher velocities than the run of the mill Rem, Win, Fed, Hornady, etc. factory loads. What is your source for the other loads - European factory loads, private handloads, or some other source? I personally handload my 7X57, using data from several loading manuals, and find I can safely achieve velocities about 300 fps faster than American factory loads, according to my chronograph. I load and shoot only 139/140 grain bullets, mostly Hornady Interlocks. __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.

September 17, 2010, 12:24 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Federal makes a little more reasonable 7X57 ammo than Remington does. Better accuracy, and a little faster, loaded with 140 gr bullets. If you are going to reload, you can tailor the loads for what your rifle likes. Some rifles shoot very well with max loads, others shoot better with mid-range loads. I load mine with 140 gr Nosler Partitions to over 2,700 fps, so the 7X57 is no slouch. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 17, 2010, 05:15 PM	#7
WacosSon Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Posts: 85	now y'all are making me wonder....is it in fact a mauser 98? Was told it was by a fellow forumer, but not sure how to tell. Dunno if a picture will help, but here it is.... __________________ _______________________________ Lifetime NRA member "A free people ought to be armed." - George Washington

September 17, 2010, 06:22 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Yes, you have a Mauser 98 variant (not exactly sure which variant, but they are all pretty much Mauser 98s). __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 16, 2010, 11:22 PM	#2
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	What nation used k98 in the Korean War? Just curious....

September 16, 2010, 11:28 PM	#3
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	The Turks and ChiComs.

September 17, 2010, 01:31 AM	#6
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,289	If it is a good,sound,checked out 98,you might see if Hornady makes a Light Mag load.Long ago,Norma made a warm 150 gr load.If you will handload,look at Reloader 19 powder.It is a good match.Read some loading manuals and use their data. Its a really great,practical cartridge.

September 18, 2010, 11:46 PM	#9
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	Is it a 98? Show me a picture with the bolt closed, so I can see how far the "cocking piece" protrudes out of the rear of the bolt. Long protrusion equals M93, 95, or 96 - about 3/4 inch. Short (about 1/4 inch) equals Model 98. The shorter cocking piece reduces the time it takes for the cocked firing pen to fall (lock time), thus increasing accuracy, i.e., gives you less time to "wobble" away from your sight picture, after you pull the trigger, and before the bullet exits the muzzle. Also, does it cock on closing the bolt (M93, 95, 96), or cock upon opening the bolt (Model 98)? Also, how many locking lugs are on the bolt? Only 2 locking lugs, both at the forward end of the bolt, equals Models 93, 95, 96. But a third locking lug, on the bottom of the bolt, equals the Model 98. That's one of the reasons it is a stronger action than the earlier, 2 lug models. A picture of the bolt, removed from the action, would be helpful. __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl. Last edited by Major Dave (retired); September 18, 2010 at 11:54 PM.