6.5x55 & & 7x57 Checkout Help?

[gpdavis2]

Just picked up a 6.5x55 rifle (1899) and a 7x57 BRNO Mauser, both in good condition and am wondering what checks should be made (by me, hopefully) to insure they are safe to shoot. Both have mismatched bolts. I've purchased some Prvi Partizan 139gr ammo for both, as a starting point. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[collector54]

Checking the headspace on both would be a good idea. Gages are available or if you have a gunsmith you trust they could do it. It doesn't take long and is fairly easy if you have the gages. Also on the 6.5 if it is still in the military stock a disc should be attached. From the numbers and markings it will show the bore wear etc. There are some books on that subject that decode the markings for you. I had to look up on one I had to see how much wear I had.

[gpdavis2]

Thanks. I have the 6.5x55 gages, but not the 7x57. Guess I'll check Brounells.
The brass disk on 6.5x55 gives a barrel of 3, but my understanding is the Swedes were very picky so anything that gets a disk is going to be good.

[Patrick Chadwick]

my understanding is the Swedes were very picky so anything that gets a disk is going to be good.

Yes, but... that test was made a long, long time ago, and unscrupulous people have been known to take the disks from scrapped rifles and fit them into stocks - or swap stocks, of course. (If you dismantle your Swede, the rifle number should (???) be stamped in the barrel channel)

Notoriously, SAAMI gauges tend to show all Swedes as having excessive headspace. The explanation is that these rifles were made to Swedish standards, decades before SAAMI was set up. With a matching bolt I would not worry for one second, but with any rifle, and especially with a non-matching bolt, I would take the trouble to make the elementary rough head clearance test described several times in these pages, if you just search a bit.

Finally, to stir everybody up (I'm feeling bored!) I would be surprised if anyone can produce a verified example of a 6.5x55 or 7x57 Mauser that has blown because of excessive headspace and no other defect.

Patrick


---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

This is NOT a joke!

Check first that the bore is truly clear AND that the rifle has not been rechambered. There are some anonymously rechambered milsurps floating around on the West side of the pond. Illegal here, of course...

[Calif-Steve]

Headspace gets far too much attention. These rifles will not blow up due to headspace. They will stretch, but not blow up. Many German 8mm Mausers will eat American gauges. This is due to German specs being different from the US standards. Especially true for Gew98's. Don't be surprised when the gunsmith tells you you have a problem (you don't). Lee neck sizer dies are the way to go. Good luck.

[Andy Mac]

My swede likes PPU just be carefull when reloading

[gunner]

Finally, to stir everybody up (I'm feeling bored!) I would be surprised if anyone can produce a verified example of a 6.5x55 or 7x57 Mauser that has blown because of excessive headspace and no other defect.

Patrick


---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

This is NOT a joke!

Check first that the bore is truly clear AND that the rifle has not been rechambered. There are some anonymously rechambered milsurps floating around on the West side of the pond. Illegal here, of course...

You´re sooo right Patrick, i´ve never seen a Swedish Mauser that was cracked by anything else than his dumb owner. Three weeks ago we had such an shooter and he destroyed his M38 with a double load of N110 powder. He had a hellish luck that he only got a light cut above his left eye from a mettal part. The bolt sticked behind him in the rifle rack, the the rifle broke into two parts. One was the buttstock with a piece of the metallwork and the second was the forestock with a complete destroyed chamber. This is why i tend to the TrailBoss powder for reduced loads, it easier to handle and not that risky like the N110.

[Patrick Chadwick]

IMOH the double-loader is guilty of criminal negligence. He has no excuse. In the mandatory reloading course that he must have passed to get a powder licence he will have learnt that IF it is theoretically possible to double-load a case, then you MUST check by weighing the case after loading.

But we all know the reality: in a hurry - want to get to the range - check weighing takes time - hundreds of cartridges loaded - never had a mistake (yet) ...

Don't do it guys. NEVER but NEVER reload in a hurry. ALWAYS check what you have done.
Gunner wrote that the bolt was stuck in the rack. It could have been in someone else's face.

Patrick

[Gun Surfer]

Holy moly! Got any pics of that demolition?

[gunner]

Not at the moment, i´ll ask him if i can take some pics! The Range officers face has given a good pic. He had a very fearful face because he stood close to the rack.