Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7X57 Messican Mauser velocities?

I have one of these that has been dressed up with a beautifully figured walnut Monte' Carlo stock. I would like to have it drilled and tapped for a decent optic, or either find an original military stock for it. As I was ruminating on what to do with it, I wondered about hand loads for it. I shoot a 280 for deer hunting, and used a 7mag for years until I switched to the 280. I have lots of 7mm projectiles stuck back for the duration.

Information is widely available about other Mauser actions, but seems to be scant concerning the Mexican Mauser. I'm not even certain what type of action this is, but I think it's a 96.

My questions are these: Are these old Mexican Mausers, in very good condition, a fairly strong action? Is it indeed a 96 action? What kinds of velocities can I expect to achieve? I know it won't touch the 280 or 7mag, but I like the recoil and blast better. I use the 280 for long shots, but would like to eventually have this good shooting rifle in shape for my grandson to deer hunt with me when he's old enough. I could use it for closer range deer hunting until he is big enough.

Thanks

Not a gun writer, but I the mexican mausers are either 93's or 95's, not the swede 96's. They are not as well made as the 96's, which are not as strong as the 98's. They did chamber the 7x57 in them from the various factories originally, though I would stick to standard pressure 7x57 loads. Which should not be a problem as they have been enough to take most game on earth.

As for loads for your grandson. I load 120 grain NBT's down to around 2500 fps for my just turned 11 year old and he handles them well. The muzzle blast is low and the recoil is very mild. Keep your range under 200 yards and teach him where to hit a deer and practice, practice, practice. You should be good to go.

I believe the Mexicans are a small ring 98 action, so plenty strong enough for modern loads. And a 140gr bullet at 27-2800 is nothing to sneeze at anyway.

My Mexican is a small ring and shoots modern loads. 140s at 2800 with H4350.

Deadly on hogs.
Butch

Nice Butch----------how's about a look at her caboose?

Butch has shown that rifle before and like all the rifles Butch posts up here it is freaking exquisite!

Beauty Butch! Sorta off topic - on a build like that, is there any reason to go with a Mauser over a M70 or vice versa?

Teal,
I went with what I had and it was my first Mauser build. Don't want to step on any toes and I have had several pre 64s and prewar 64s, but in my mind they are kinda plain. They are excellent rifles though. The rest of my Mexican photos are in Photobucket and I have not been able to do anything with them. I'll get some if I have to take more photos.
Butch

Thanks - sorta kicking the idea of a long term project in that vein. Classic CRF with walnut and rust blue etc and wondering which action to keep an eye out for. Seems to be a lot of M70 Shadows out there that could be donor fodder. I just don't know enough (anything) about Mausers to make a good choice on one.

I've drooled over Butch's 7x57 before, just like I just did.

Are all the Mexicans small ring 98's, or just some of them?

Thanks all...That is one beeeauuutiful rifle, Butch! Mine has an awesome looking stock as well, but has an oil finish. It has some awesome grain in the wood. I'm not crazy about the military sights, and my eyes are no longer young, so it will likely be scoped so that I can get some use out of it too. It's very nice to know that it is a small ring 98 action. The gun is in great shape, and I only gave $125 for it. The grandson is 4, so I can take my time with this project. If I could figure out how to post a pic, I would, but I'm just a wee bit behind the curve on that.

BTW Butch...any tips or tricks about those rings you have mounted on that Mex? Looking forward to more pics here too. You did a fine job on that piece of art.

LongRangert280,
You stole your rifle! I think you will really enjoy it. Mine has had double square bridges put on it with Talley rings. I took a couple photos a minute ago. Flash messed it up.



The wood is from Roger Vardy of Australia. He has some of the best dry and cured walnut that I have seen and he is a pleasure to deal with.
I'm sorry to hijack your post. I owe you one.
Butch

LR280, you need to figure out what you have. According to Ball, (and Ball knows...LOL) Mexico had:1895's, 1902's, 1907's, 1910's, 1912's, FNM24's, VZ 12/33's, 1936's and 1954's. Descriptive stuff is needed. I would assume that from the 1902's on they were 1898 configuration. Third locking lug, larger gas shield (bolt sleeve)...etc. Manufacture varied from Berlin, Austria, Mexico, Czech and Belgium FN. If you look over the recvr and post any writing you see, the crew on here will be able to help you. Some Mex Mausers are very desirable for builds. I have a 1910 to do someday. I doubt it will ever be as beautiful as the one Butch posted. His gun pics help greenhorns like me learn how things should be done!

Butch...how could I not love any hijack as good looking as that! Exquisite doesn't even begin to descibe that Mauser! Thanks for sharing.

Rubb, thanks for the added info. This is the kind of stuff that I need to get started. I have done a little research on the net, but it can get confusing to someone new to Mausers. Mine was created in 1931. I have yet to pull the stock to see what is stamped under the wood, but it has the Mexican crest and is in really good shape. I would grade it out at 95% or better. No wear on the blue anywhere I can see with the stock in place, except right at the forward end of the ring...there is a little shine there...excellent bore...no pitting...nice and shiny. It shoots as good a groups with the diificult open sights as I could expect.

Just pulled the wood...nothing under there at all. The barrel has a step-down turn to it about half way down the length. If I had to guess, I would say that it was probably made in Mexico. Still, it will make a good deer rifle. BTW...the guy that sold this one to me has another that is just as nice looking, and he will let me have it for the same money...$125. I will probably pick it up too.

That's just out and out robbery! Good job on the buys!

Butch, that rifle is gorgeous. Who did the checkering on it?

David Christman[ACGG] built this rifle for me. This is one that I did absolutely nothing on.
Butch

It does have the third lug that locks against the rear of the action at the forward area of the base of the bolt handle. I also spotted some kind of proof mark on the sqare base at the rear area of the trigger that looks like a lower case cursive "f" with the rear of the horizontal bar on the "f" swept up in a curve (if that makes any sense). This mark is on the right side of the rifle.

Thank-you ma'am! I do what I can to stretch those dollars.