I hope this isn't too much of a repeat question but I feel I have to ask because the interwebs searching I've done has pulled up some what conflicting information.
I have a sporterized 1895 Chilean Mauser (7x57) that appears to be in good shape. A couple gunsmiths have looked at it, to evaluate for mounting a scope, and said it looked to be in good usable condition.
After receiving positive feedback I purchased a box of Federal 175gr RN Powershoks (supposed to produce 2390fps at the muzzle) and took it to the range to see how it would shoot. I ran 10 rounds through it and other than a really quick glance at the cases for extreme indications of failure I didn't examine them closely. Other than it shooting high right the rifle performed well so I decided I'd reload for it instead of purchasing factory ammo.
Just recently I began to collect the needed tools and thought I should look closer at those cases to make sure they were in good shape.
I found that the primers had backed out ~.015" on every one of them and there was soot down the outside of the neck to ~1/8" above the shoulder, no soot anywhere else on the cases. All 10 look exactly like this.
Being the person I am I researched to see if this rifle had an issue that would cost a lot to fix and ran across a bunch of ideas about headspace and how important it is/or not, so I performed a few rudimentary measurements using techniques described in various posts.
I used an unfired Federal cartridge, cocked the bolt and put it on the middle safety that locks the pin but allows the bolt to cycle.
I used regular masking tape to create a headspace gauge by putting layers of it on the base of the cartridge, 1 layer the bolt closed easily, 2 layers the bolt rotated ~1/3 the way and stopped (probably could've forced it here but didn't), 3 layers the bolt would not rotate at all. My dial caliper measures this stack of tape (3 layers) at .017"
I compared the fired brass to a non-fired round, the necks are expanded to the point a bullet easily slides in, the case lengths are the same (within the tolerances of my dial caliper), the fired brass is .47" wide ~.3" from the base of the case, a non-fired round is .465" at the same point. This point is the widest point on the fired brass, the widest point on the non-fired brass is just above the extractor rim (not sure what the technical name is). This part of the fired cases is bright and shiny like the unfired cartridge.
The bolt face is in great shape, no pitting or erosion is evident, it's completely flat.
So, given what I've described am I dealing with a simple case of low power rounds pushing the primers out a bit or a rifle worn to the point where it needs new parts?
I bought it from my son who purchased it from a private party so we don't know it's history.
It's had a fair amount of work done to it, the stock is a nicer one from Boyds I believe and its been bedded to the action. The bolt has been turned down in preparation for adding a scope but the receiver has not been drilled and tapped nor has the safety lever been replaced.
The original sights were replaced with a modern ramped front sight and a fold down rear.
Aside from the stock being a lefty there is really not much else that needs any work, except maybe the chamber/barrel is worn out.
Thanks in advance for any input and I apologize if this is a topic that's been beat to death.
KWheel
P.S. I bought a box of Rifle Line (PPU) 139gr ammo and ran across a couple posts that hinted these rounds were too hot for the 95 Mauser actions, is this true?
I have a sporterized 1895 Chilean Mauser (7x57) that appears to be in good shape. A couple gunsmiths have looked at it, to evaluate for mounting a scope, and said it looked to be in good usable condition.
After receiving positive feedback I purchased a box of Federal 175gr RN Powershoks (supposed to produce 2390fps at the muzzle) and took it to the range to see how it would shoot. I ran 10 rounds through it and other than a really quick glance at the cases for extreme indications of failure I didn't examine them closely. Other than it shooting high right the rifle performed well so I decided I'd reload for it instead of purchasing factory ammo.
Just recently I began to collect the needed tools and thought I should look closer at those cases to make sure they were in good shape.
I found that the primers had backed out ~.015" on every one of them and there was soot down the outside of the neck to ~1/8" above the shoulder, no soot anywhere else on the cases. All 10 look exactly like this.
Being the person I am I researched to see if this rifle had an issue that would cost a lot to fix and ran across a bunch of ideas about headspace and how important it is/or not, so I performed a few rudimentary measurements using techniques described in various posts.
I used an unfired Federal cartridge, cocked the bolt and put it on the middle safety that locks the pin but allows the bolt to cycle.
I used regular masking tape to create a headspace gauge by putting layers of it on the base of the cartridge, 1 layer the bolt closed easily, 2 layers the bolt rotated ~1/3 the way and stopped (probably could've forced it here but didn't), 3 layers the bolt would not rotate at all. My dial caliper measures this stack of tape (3 layers) at .017"
I compared the fired brass to a non-fired round, the necks are expanded to the point a bullet easily slides in, the case lengths are the same (within the tolerances of my dial caliper), the fired brass is .47" wide ~.3" from the base of the case, a non-fired round is .465" at the same point. This point is the widest point on the fired brass, the widest point on the non-fired brass is just above the extractor rim (not sure what the technical name is). This part of the fired cases is bright and shiny like the unfired cartridge.
The bolt face is in great shape, no pitting or erosion is evident, it's completely flat.
So, given what I've described am I dealing with a simple case of low power rounds pushing the primers out a bit or a rifle worn to the point where it needs new parts?
I bought it from my son who purchased it from a private party so we don't know it's history.
It's had a fair amount of work done to it, the stock is a nicer one from Boyds I believe and its been bedded to the action. The bolt has been turned down in preparation for adding a scope but the receiver has not been drilled and tapped nor has the safety lever been replaced.
The original sights were replaced with a modern ramped front sight and a fold down rear.
Aside from the stock being a lefty there is really not much else that needs any work, except maybe the chamber/barrel is worn out.
Thanks in advance for any input and I apologize if this is a topic that's been beat to death.
KWheel
P.S. I bought a box of Rifle Line (PPU) 139gr ammo and ran across a couple posts that hinted these rounds were too hot for the 95 Mauser actions, is this true?