Reloading for a M95 Chilean

I have a M95 I bought at auction a couple of years ago. I've previously only shot commercial ammo (mostly PPU 139gr SP). I've recently started reloading. It seems all of my guns shoot old and/or obscure calibers. Plus this way I can control what gets put in my guns.

I don't hunt so this round would be for target shooting, and currently my local range is max 500 yards. So no extra long range stuff for me.

I know that for this gun I need to be extra careful. So I have researched to the best of my ability on what I need to do to make a safe and accurate load.

I chose IMR4350 for the powder because I saw quite a few recommendations for it (mostly because it was said it is a slower burner). I have brass, both new and once fired. I got the collet dies from Lee.

Now I just need the bullets. This is where I'm stuck. I've seen in multiple places that these guns have a long throat, and that they were designed with a 175gr round nose bullet in mind. Well those bullets must be made of solid gold, because for the life of me I cannot find them anywhere. I've even called Hornady and was told by a rep that they are not "discontinued", but they are not being scheduled for further production.

So what I need now is an alternative, and frankly I'm at a loss. I would prefer to find something somewhat inexpensive, as I'm only doing short (less than 500 yd) target shooting. At this point, I would take any advice someone can give. I can post pictures of the gun if it will help, but it appears to be a standard full length M95.

How did the 139 grain Prvi (PPU) perform in your Chilean Mauser? That round shoots well in my 7X57mm Ludwig Loewe, Model 1893, Spanish Mauser.

I have gotten good results in my No. 5 Remington Rolling-Block (in 7X57mm) with: 139 grain Hornady spitzer boat-tails, 36 grains of IMR-3031, W-W LR primers, and neck-sized PPU cases.

Of course, Cast Bullets would open a whole world of options.

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Originally Posted by Mako275

So what I need now is an alternative, and frankly I'm at a loss. I would prefer to find something somewhat inexpensive, as I'm only doing short (less than 500 yd) target shooting.

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Get the Sellier & Bellot SPCE bullets - they have a longish cylindrical portion from the base up to the step, and are the type that shoot best in my Boer Mauser.

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...MCDokI89agrCsw https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...mwWVLO5Uumkh6Q https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...TtmXc0RK1DFvCw Hopefully you will get some traction out of these if your M95 is a 7 x 57

Bultersrangers,

I've not shot anything else enough to fully understand if the PPU shoots well. I'm not a very good shot to be honest. What I really want is to be able to hit steel plates up to 500 yards. Not really concerned about groups.

Patrick,

I can't seem to find those bullets you mentioned. All I can find is loaded ammo with those bullets.

Cinders,
Thanks for the links. I'll check through them today. And yes it's a 7x57 rifle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mako275

I've seen in multiple places that these guns have a long throat, and that they were designed with a 175gr round nose bullet in mind. Well those bullets must be made of solid gold, because for the life of me I cannot find them anywhere.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mako275

So what I need now is an alternative

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Have you considered 175gr flat base spritzers? They seem easy enough to find. IIRC the bearing surface of Hornady's 175gr spire points is actually a bit longer than that of their 175gr RN.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mako275

I chose IMR4350 for the powder

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Excellent choice for 7x57 and 8x57 loads.

Thanks for all the help guys. I found some RN on Graf & Sons' website. Got them ordered and we see how it goes.

Link in case any else is interested.

Graf Sons - HIRTENBERGER BULLET 7MM (.284) 173gr RN PER 100

'Mako275' - Thanks for sharing the lead on the 173 gr. Hirtenberger bullets - great price! I ordered 500. I hope my Mauser and Rolling-Block rifles like them!

They look right - a nice long cylindrical portion - very similar profile to the unobtainable Hornadys.