7mm Mauser Surplus Ammo questions

[Aragorn243]

I aquired 3 1/2 boxes of surplus Chile 7mm ammo today. Dates are October and December 1976. Boxes marked FAMAE Chile and Polvora Esferodal BELGA. Headstamp - F.M.E. 1976 CHILE

1 - Is it corrosive?

2 - Is the brass reloadable?

Information

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[jmoore]

Dang! Didn't know there was any military Chilean ammo in 7x57 that late.

Easy enough to find out the answers to your questions. Pull the bullet on one round. One offcenter or two primer flash holes: Berdan.

Corrosive? Pop the primer with the case mouth against a clean bare piece of carbon steel. An old hacksaw blade will do once cleaned 'til it's bright in one spot. Sit the steel in a reasonably warm area for a few days. If it rusts noticably, then it's corrosive primed. You can do a control patch nearby using a little salt. Potassium chloride would be ideal if you have any "heart healthy" salt substitute as it's the same substance deposited by corrosive primers. It's a reliable test that I've done several times over the years. (Just be sure to wear eye and ear protection when poppping the primer as the residue is expelled at high speed.)

[DocAV]

Yes, FME 7mm ammo is Corrosive and Berdan.
The Powder ( as per label) is Belgian Made "spheroidal" ( ball) Powder.
If the date had been later ( say 1980s or 90s,) I would say it probably was Non-corrosive, as they would have been making 7,62x51 "NATO" ammo by then, and it uses a Noncorr. primer ( in nearly all western nations...only the Chinese, Bulgarians etc used corrosive in 7,62x51 ammo).
Clean the rifle with warm soapy water, followed by Hoppes #9 or Sweets 7,62 to remove any metallic fouling.

As to fireability, try it and see. I had a big batch of FME .30 cal...it was mostly "click No Bang" ( early 60s)...but storage conditions can affect primer viability.

Regards,
Doc AV

[jon_norstog]

Aragorn:

Look for the real FN-made 7mm. It's hot stuff!

jn