7mm Rolling Block HELP

[Patrick Chadwick]

Basically, I agree with you. But the original query was

"I don't reload, nor can I get into it.
I see 7mm Mauser everyone here in Canada at stores.
Can I use that ammo?

And what I suggested was, at least in these parts, a "safe" answer" under those conditions. One might be tempted to write "idiot-proof". However, my experience with idiotic behaviour is that there is no such thing as idiot-proof.

As it appears that, west of the pond, one relies on lawyers rather than proof testing, that leaves the original poster with the option of living with a possible hazard or not shooting the rifle at all.

If you study my contributions, you will find that I always advocate reloading with neck-sizing only - for any rifle - for optimum performance AND longer case life. Since my major shooting activities revolve around ancient guns for which there is certainly no factory ammo available, and often not even cases*, it's the only way to go. Especially since they are all veterans which deserve careful loading in order to extend their usable life. And I understand the New World reticence about proof firing - if for instance, the motor in your brand-new automobile is "red-lined" at 6500 rpm, you would be foolish to "proof" it by revving it up to 8000 rpm. It might survive, but you could well have initiated bearing damage that will seriously shorten its life. Doubtless the manufacturers undertake such testing to establish reliable limits - but the overdriven test objects will not then be offered for sale!

The same could be argued for gun barrels - the overpressure might initiate a metallurgical defect that would never have occurred in a lifetime of normal loading. As I said, I agree with you, and it seems to me that the original questioner, in declining to get involved in reloading, is barring himself from low-risk enjoyment of old guns. What in German is described as a "wash me, but don't make me wet" situation.

*Such as 11.3mm Gasser or .44 Henry Flat or 11,2x37,5R...