Newby question: Best alternative for a 7.62x57 cartridge?

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Need help identifying the appropriate cartridge for an old 7mm and a 30-06

I got what I believe to be a 30-06; however, I need help to confirm the best cartridge for this rifle. I inherited the rifle along with several boxes of 7.62x57 ammo that came with the rifle.

Date: 1960 approx
Brand: Fabrica Nacional de Armas de Mexico.

My question: what cartridge can I shoot with this rifle with?

See pics below.

kBob · Nov 5, 2019

well this is going to be interesting.....

-kBob

stillquietvoice · Nov 5, 2019

My best suggestion is to have a gunsmith do a chamber cast or do one yourself and slug the bore.

Legionnaire · Nov 5, 2019

I am not familiar with 7.62x57. Is it a wildcat .30 cal in a 7mm or 8mm Mauser case?

7.62x51 is the same as .308 Winchester.
7.62x63 is the same as .30-06 Springfield
7.92x57 is 8mm Mauser.

I agree with @stillquietvoice; have a gunsmith take a cast of the chamber.

In the meantime, how about some pictures of the ammo you have? I'd like to see the box, a cartridge, and the headstamp.

Scooter22 · Nov 5, 2019

Welcome to THR. Are the boxes of ammo factory loaded or reloads? Is 7.62x57 factory printed on the box or hand written? 30-06 is a 7.62x63mm. What you may have is a 7x57mm rifle that was bored out to accept .30 call bullets in the 57mm case. So a 7,62x57 which would be a wildcat. Make sure your reading the box correctly You sure it's not 7.92x57? Thats a 8mm Mauser.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Welcome to THR. Are the boxes of ammo factory loaded or reloads? Is 7.62x57 factory printed on the box or hand written? 30-06 is a 7.62x63mm. What you may have is a 7x57mm rifle that was bored out to accept .30 call bullets in the 57mm case. So a 7,62x57 which would be a wildcat. Make sure your reading the box correctly You sure it's not 7.92x57? Thats a 8mm Mauser.

100% positive. See picture below.

Scooter22 · Nov 5, 2019

Ahhh That 57 is the date! Might be a .308 or 30-06 mesure them.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Welcome to THR. Are the boxes of ammo factory loaded or reloads? Is 7.62x57 factory printed on the box or hand written? 30-06 is a 7.62x63mm. What you may have is a 7x57mm rifle that was bored out to accept .30 call bullets in the 57mm case. So a 7,62x57 which would be a wildcat. Make sure your reading the box correctly You sure it's not 7.92x57? Thats a 8mm Mauser.

I believe they are factory loaded (back then when the ARMY was in charge of doing so). The box has no signage whatsoever.

Scooter22 · Nov 5, 2019

Sounds like it's a Model 1954 Mexican Mauser in 30-06.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Mauser_Model_1954

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Ahhh That 57 is the date! Might be a .308 or 30-06 mesure them.

Aha! Are you positive the "57" is the year? If that is the case, which what's your recommendation?

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Ahhh That 57 is the date! Might be a .308 or 30-06 mesure them.

Here are a couple of pictures I took comparing the 7.62 and a 30-06 SPRG. Thoughts?

Scooter22 said:
Sounds like it's a Model 1954 Mexican Mauser in 30-06.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Mauser_Model_1954

I don't believe it is a 1954 Mexican Mauser per-se as this one doesn't have a metallic "bracelet" holding the barrel together with the stock/wood.

Legionnaire · Nov 5, 2019

Looks like a date code to me, too. From the end-on photo of the headstamps, the cases look like the same length, which suggests .30-06 (7.62x63). Show us a picture of the full cartridge please ...

Edit: and FNM is Portuguese, I believe.

Scooter22 · Nov 5, 2019

Also show a full length pic of the gun. It looks like someone sporterised it into a hunting rifle. The barrel bands and hand guards are usually the first thing to go. Actually the stock may have been replaced also. It's checkered w/grip cap.

Slamfire · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Sounds like it's a Model 1954 Mexican Mauser in 30-06.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Mauser_Model_1954

I think so too. Those Mexican Mausers were brought into the US during the 1950's and rapidly disappeared. Many were made into sporters. I cannot recall ever handling an original Mexican Mauser, but I remember seeing advertisements for the actions. They were a desirable action as I recall from the literature of the period.

Will your rifle chamber a 30-06? If your 1957 ammunition is military surplus for Mexico, then the markings do not have to correspond to anything but what the purchasing agency wanted. And, lets say the end user was the Mexican Army, and Mexico uses the metric system, it makes sense they would stamp their 7mm service cartridges 7mm and a date, and I will bet, they would stamp their 30-06 ammunition, 7.62 and a date.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Legionnaire said:
I am not familiar with 7.62x57. Is it a wildcat .30 cal in a 7mm or 8mm Mauser case?

7.62x51 is the same as .308 Winchester.
7.62x63 is the same as .30-06 Springfield
7.92x57 is 8mm Mauser.

I agree with @stillquietvoice; have a gunsmith take a cast of the chamber.

In the meantime, how about some pictures of the ammo you have? I'd like to see the box, a cartridge, and the headstamp.

Hi Slamfire, take a look at the pics I've added.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Slamfire said:
I think so too. Those Mexican Mausers were brought into the US during the 1950's and rapidly disappeared. Many were made into sporters. I cannot recall ever handling an original Mexican Mauser, but I remember seeing advertisements for the actions. They were a desirable action as I recall from the literature of the period.

Will your rifle chamber a 30-06? If your 1957 ammunition is military surplus for Mexico, then the markings do not have to correspond to anything but what the purchasing agency wanted. And, lets say the end user was the Mexican Army, and Mexico uses the metric system, it makes sense they would stamp their 7mm service cartridges 7mm and a date, and I will bet, they would stamp their 30-06 ammunition, 7.62 and a date.

I think you are right since the 30-06 Springfield is almost identical to the 7.62 (see pics). The only difference I cans spot is a millimeter at the bottom of the case.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Also show a full length pic of the gun. It looks like someone sporterised it into a hunting rifle. The barrel bands and hand guards are usually the first thing to go. Actually the stock may have been replaced also. It's checkered w/grip cap.

I believe you are correct. The stock has my grandfather's initials.

Charly2020! · Nov 5, 2019

I have also added a different conversation regarding a 7mm.... your help is greatly appreciated: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...appropriate-cartdridge-for-an-old-7mm.858605/

@Slamfire @Scooter22 @Legionnaire @stillquietvoice @kBob

Dave DeLaurant · Nov 6, 2019

Man, two Mexys -- lucky dude! The sporting stock and rear sight look like competent work -- could you please post a pic showing the overall view of the rifle?

Not too long ago I posted a general request for photos of Mexican Mauser sporters and milsurps -- your's is the first I've seen here.

https://thehighroad.org/index.php?t...actions-and-rifles-1936-54-any-photos.856575/

Charly2020! · Nov 6, 2019

Dave DeLaurant said:
Man, two Mexys -- lucky dude! The sporting stock and rear sight look like competent work -- could you please post a pic showing the overall view of the rifle?

Not too long ago I posted a general request for photos of Mexican Mauser sporters and milsurps -- your's is the first I've seen here.

https://thehighroad.org/index.php?t...actions-and-rifles-1936-54-any-photos.856575/

@Dave DeLaurant thank you. Yes, I consider myself a lucky guy! These beauties are in mint, literally, conditions. Here is the image of the 30-06. I will also upload the 7mm; however, on the other thread.

Scooter22 · Nov 6, 2019

You've got two nice sporters there. Best thing is both are based on the Model 98 Mauser design which can handle modern cartridge pressures compared to the earlier Model 93 and 95 designs which were in the mid 40K pressure range. The 98 also has better gas handling if you have a ruptured case or pierced primer. Enjoy them.

Charly2020! · Mar 10, 2020

Howdy everyone, I finally got the right cartridge for my 7mm... it is a 7mm Mauser. I got to shoot a box of 139 grain 7mm Partisan .... worked beautifully. Thank you for all your feedback.

jonnyc · Mar 10, 2020

Sir, make friends with a helpful gunsmith, or one day you are going to blow yourself up. This thread was way too confused and potentially dangerous.

nhcruffler · Mar 11, 2020

Charly, you did the right thing asking questions about something that you are unfamiliar with. I assume in the last four months that you had done additional research. You have some family heirlooms there. I know you got the cal figured out but I got thinking. I wonder if gramps marked the caliber on the barrel under the woodline.

Charly2020! · Mar 12, 2020

nhcruffler said:
Charly, you did the right thing asking questions about something that you are unfamiliar with. I assume in the last four months that you had done additional research. You have some family heirlooms there. I know you got the cal figured out but I got thinking. I wonder if gramps marked the caliber on the barrel under the woodline.

Thank you @nhcruffler I took the rifle to a gunsmith since there were no additional markings anywhere. He measured the bore and confirmed it is a 7mm Mauser.

Newby question: Best alternative for a 7.62x57 cartridge?

Member

Attachments

Member

Contributing Member

Contributing Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Contributing Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads