1893 dwm s/n 380

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Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

The very early 7mm's have very long throats. Do seat the bullets out long to compensate. Good luck, this a nice find.

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Mine doesn't seem to have all that long a throat at all. Was easily able to seat a 175gr Hornady spire point bullet to engage the rifling, with no worries about bullet retention in the neck. But such rounds wouldn't fit in the magazine, so haven't loaded any that way for shooting purposes. Borescope confirms the relatively short throat. Wish I could figure out a reasonably easy way to get a photo of the borescope view!

Rained out last range session. (I don't mind the precipitation, but there was enough wind and rain to destroy the usual paper targets.)

Still no joy finding any round nose bullets, but did find one more box of S&B 175gr ammo. Much newer, too! The others are probably 20 years old.

I can get PPU (Prvi) 139 grain ammo locally at $17 a box of 20. I find it shoots very well in my 1893 Mauser.

FWIW - 139 grain Hornady reloads shoot well in my No. 5 Remington Rolling-Block. (I have not tried this load in my 1893 Mauser yet).

My R-B 7X57mm load is: 139 gr. Hornady spitzer, 36 grains IMR-3031, W-W LR primer, neck-sized Prvi brass, OAL 3.065 inches.

BTW - My Rolling-Block still has the very heavy factory trigger-pull. (I keep meaning to get a lighter trigger return spring).

Attachment 68893

Well, Patrick Chadwick isn't wrong about the SPCE 175gr. S&B ammo. Got ten rounds downrage in an about 3" group at 100yards. Considering I had to hold the top of the front sight in the grass below the target to roughly center the POI on the 24" tall paper, there's probably better ahead. (Lowest sight setting is 300m.)

Was a little apprehensive at first to use this ammo, as it's the sloppiest fit in the chamber of any factory ammo checked, but it was drama free in actual use.

Have amassed roughly 100 used cases from unknown rifle(s) which hopefully will need a little sizing to chamber. Should be plenty considering this rifle won't be shot a huge amount!

'jmoore' - Your 'Range Outing' sounds quite promising. Is she your favorite yet??!!

A couple of suggestions: 1. When I got my model 1893 Spanish Mauser, the front sight (barleycorn) blade was missing (broken-off its base). I replaced it with a tall Swedish Mauser blade (same 'dove-tail and better blade shape). This is proving ideal for shooting 'Bulls-eye' Targets at 100 yards. 2. If you don't want a taller substitute blade for shooting a collectible rifle that prints 'high', simply staple one Bull above another and shoot at the lower Bull and your shots will group on the upper target.

(Works for me).

I can confirm both of the previous suggestions as being sound, having done the same with my Argentine Engineeers Carbine. First, the double-bull trick to check the grouping (Is it a keeper? Which ammo is best?) and then the permanent solution with the higher blade. Mauser K98-type blades are available in various heights.

I will do the supplemental aiming point trick next time. Could have last range trip, but had other rifles to shoot and time was limited. Five hours in 30 degree F temps without all my hunting duds on was about enough. Especially since no heavy labor was going on.


As for the front sight, it's been on since day dot and is apt to remain so! Just cleaning the rifle was enough for me. It's already starting to lose the "freshly scrubbed" look, happily.