My 1916 Spanish Short Rifle

[fishn861]

Here is my 1916 Spanish Short Rifle. There is no crest on the reciever ring, It is not marked on the left rail other than a serial # 4197 that is preceded by what looks like an upper case R This # matches the one on the bolt handle. the number on the shroud does not match. There is what appears to be a second serial # on the right side of the reciever ring 27162 this may be the importers serial # There is a gas port on the left side of the reciever ring and the bolt has been ported as well. This rifle is chambered in 7.62 nato. It will chamber a 308 winchester round. I have a 7.62 max length head space gauge that it will not close on. My question is I read where some of these 93 actions were reworked and re heat treated and issued as civil gaurd rifles. Is the any way to know if this is one. I Do Not plan on shooting .308 win in it but I plan on loading some lower power loads in the range of the 7x57 cartridges this rifle was originally built for. Should be ok for that. Any input would be apreciated.Attachment 32163Attachment 32164Attachment 32165 Sorry if I double posted

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[jmoore]

If the barrel was replaced rather than having a chamber plug installed along with reboring, then maybe I would shoot it. But those with the chamber plugs are just downright scary dangerous. Several threads with photos have been done previously on the subject.

[fishn861]

jmoore thank you for your help. I did some more resarch on these rifles. It appears that the barrels were set back when they were rebored to 7.62 and then rechambered. Doesnt appear to have an insert. The CETME cartridge appears to have been loaded to 46800 psi cup. I will try some handloads in the mild hadloads and stay below 46000. since it seems to headspace ok should be fine. I would hate to sell it and have someone assume it is safe to use the higher pressure 308 win comercial ammo. This one will stay with me. Thanks again Paul

[1911crazy]

I believe that samco global arms sent one of these chambered in 308 to a independant test lab were they blew one up at 90,000 psi making it safe to shoot 308win ammo. I still would shoot it on the low side with lighter bullets.

[vintage hunter]

I read that on another forum a while back, White Laboratories IIRC. But, does testing one or two examples out of a batch that are all suspect make the rest safe? The various photo's floating around of M1916/FR7's that were wrecked by using .308/7.62 NATO ammunition suggests not. I agree it's best to keep the pressures low. Wonder if the reduced recoil loads by Federal and Remington would be safe?

[Calif-Steve]

They do not tend to blow-up. They will stretch and stretch. But blow-up, no. Good question why the Spanish converted them into 7.62mm. They had piles of 98 Mausers in 8mm they never touched.

[Aguila Blanca]

Wonder if the reduced recoil loads by Federal and Remington would be safe?

I read an article on these 1916 Spanish short rifles just the other day that said the reduced recoil loads are safe. If I could remember where I saw the article I'd provide the source. IIRC there was discussion of chamber pressures, and (again, IIRC) the reduced recoil stuff had pressures well below standard .308 or 7.62x51.