Argentine Mauser Infantry Rifle

I am seriously considering purchasing a 7.65mm Argentine Mauser I have seen in a local auction house. The rifle looks to be in good condition and is priced at £450 all in (inc tax & commission). This will be my first foray into Mausers and the more I read about the Argie ones, the more dubious I become. Is it a universal truth with these that they are so deep throated that they only shoot normal spitzer bullets very badly? I have no interest in casting for such a rifle, and buying RNSP bullets for it would be problematical in the UK due to the fact that target shooting is not regarded as good reason in order to get the authorisation on the Firearm Certificate to purchase expanding ammo/bullets. I would only be using it for target shooting, and entering some of the HBSA's historic comps at Bisley, so would need something I could at least be competitive with.
I am very tempted by this rifle, it looks lovely, and it uses the same diameter bullets as my .303's, but would I be better off waiting to find a decent 6.5 Swede?

You would I be better off waiting to find a decent 6.5 Swede !........................

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Originally Posted by 303tom

You would I be better off waiting to find a decent 6.5 Swede !........................

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Thanks Tom. Is that because the Swedes are inherently better? Or are all the stories of deep throats and bad accuracy with the Argy ones true?

It all depends on barrel condition. If the throat is long enough to allow the bullet to leave the case neck before it engages the rifling is subject to be less accurate with the shorter bullets and boattail's due to bullet yaw, but not always.
I have an M1891 Argentine that shoots 150gr .312'' Hornady's very well. Long as I do my part it will out shoot any Swede I own.
Were I to ever compete in a vintage milsurp match it would be my rifle of choice.

Here's a link to the auction.
Full Details for Lot 3245 : Holts Auctioneers

That is $750.00 USD? For an '91 Mauser? No, no way would I do that. A mint '98 Argy Mauser MIGHT be fine at that money, but not a '91. Keep on looking.

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Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

A mint '98 Argy Mauser

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A 1909 Model, yes? The 1909s are suited for the lighter spitzer bullets. Whether a '91 will do well is hard to predict.

As for price, I've no comment.

In good condition both rifles will do what they are designed to do, I am just kind of partial to the Swede, but here is another reason for me to suggest the Swede !..............

7.65mm Argentine Mauser | Rifle Ammo | Ammo

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser | Rifle Ammo | Ammo

I also prefer the Swedish rifles and 6.5x55mm cartridge as well, but I also own a number of 7.65x53mm rifles (both M1891 & M1909 Argentine and Peruvian) and find my M1909 Argentine (as with the other 7.65 rifles) shoot just fine and with respectable accuracy with Prvi 174gr. FMJBT 7.65x53mm ammo!

Here are pictures of the M1891 barrel throat dimensions, Prvi 174 FMJBT ammo, and the old long original 7.65x53mm 210.7 gr FMJRN ammo -

Attachment 57758Attachment 57759Attachment 57760

Here are some pictures of a very nice 7.65x53mm Argentine M1909 -

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9c99473c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...84a221b8-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...754e2787-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4ab44c76-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c724fcbf-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4b300e69-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5cea51b6-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f84dc2ec-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4e33320d-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e389b299-1.jpg

I too, am and Argentine fan and a 7.65x53 fan. although my only experience is with 1909's.
Great shooters and very robust in every way, the Argy's always have great detail in my experience and are very clean guns.
I tend to shy away from the 1891, 93, & 95 actions, they can be fine shooters, but the ones I have purchased have already given their best long ago.
I find 98 type actions to have better longevity and more replaceable parts available than the small ring actions, however all the Swedes I've seen,
have been in "pretty good" shape to "excellent" and are reported to be extremely accurate, but of course you tend to pay a premium for that. :D Good Luck

I have a few 91's and it took me a bit of testing to come up with a load that is accurate. The problem is each rifle likes a different load. I may have complicated the fact because I shoot cast bullets. I have shot some milsurp as well as commercial loads through all of them and accuracy is very good - but not as good as my two swede's. As for myself the felt recoil of the swede is less than the 91's. The long 6.5 bullet is very stable and a lot of bench guns are based on the 6mm bullets. In my opinion for open sight competition the swede would be the way to go.

I reload for my M91 7.65 x 53 Argentine (it is scope sighted) and with 174 grain R.N. and 44 grains of H414 I get less than one inch groups at 100 yards. With 38 grains of IMR3031, I get consistent groups that average one inch. I know that because of the long throat, lighter bullets are not supposed to be accurate, but with 125 grain bullets and 41.5 grains of Varget, I get consistent 1 1/2" groups. I know that's not good for long range varminting, but that load is great and accurate enough for most coyote shooting. If you hand load, a little tweaking can make the Argentine rifles quite accurate.
xvigauge

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Originally Posted by owengun

Here are some pictures of a very nice 7.65x53mm Argentine M1909

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Where did you ever get such a gorgeous 1909? I've never seen a better one?
Keith

I like 'em both, M1909 and M96. can't go wrong with either one.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zkpeigdh-1.jpg

The 91 is one of my pleasant shooters. No doubt the swede is far more accurate with less recoil. I would hold out for a swede if target shooting and competition is your game. You will be far less frustrated with the performance.