Question about a Mauser

[Arkansas Paul]

Hey all. My father has a Mauser rifle that's been sporterized and we've started handloading for it. It's not a bubba job, it was actually done very well. Upon researching it, I've found out that it's either a '93 or a '95 model.
The caliber is .308 and I've learned that it was origionally made in 7x57 and later rebarrelled to .308. I was given advice by someone who seems very knowledgeable to not shoot factory .308 ammo through it. They said that it was built to withstand the pressures of a 7x57, which only reach about 45,000 psi, where a .308 can reach 60,000. He advised us to load it down so as not to push the pressure limits.
Have ya'll heard the same thing?
Any informed advice or input would be welcomed and appreciated. We've stopped shooting the rifle until I research this out and find out for sure. Thanks.

 

[paintballdude902]

probably not a bad idea. but i would just watch the casings for high pressure signs

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have heard just the same thing from several sources.

I actually cringed as I read it may be a 93 or a 95 and it was a current 308.

 

[Cypress]

Post a pic and get it ID'd for sure but if it is a '93,'95 probably a 1916 then be careful about feeding it full pressure rounds. These rifles were not built to withstand the pressures of .308 and lug setback could happen fairly quickly.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

I have a 95 Greek in 7x57. The Hornady Handbook and Speer Manual both specifically address these rifles as having a weaker action than the big-ring 98. The Saami pressure spec for 93s & 95s is indeed 45,000 cup, so downloading your .308 ammo accordingly would be a good idea. There are several folks who swear that the small rings will handle .308 or full-power 7x57 just fine, but one failure can leave the shooter dead, so I play it safe in this instance.

KR

 

[doctorxring]

.

It's not so much that the 93 and 95 are not "strong" enough
for the 308 Winchester cartridge.

It's more that their gas venting is not as efficient in the event
of a case failure. They also do not have a safety lug. I agree
that pressures should be kept below 50,000 on these actions.
That's still plenty of punch and will make little practical difference
in the real world.

dxr

.

 

[Ignition Override]

A knowledgeable Mauser seller at the Southaven (MS) gun show told me that the old Spanish 7x57 conversions to .308 can easily approach the max. designed pressure limits, or exceed them. Previously I had asked another seller about them, the seller seemed to have no knowledge of any concerns, and the other guy in the background looked at me and slowly shook his head. I walked over and thanked him.

I read about a guy who died because of these conversions.
On whichever site, there was a mention of a gun range fatality in Pennsylvania due to such an old conversion.
The general info included nothing about what type of .308 was used etc.

It could be somewhere on Gunandgame, THR, or Thefiringline, possibly Firearmsforum or Firearmstalk, and it was about two-three weeks ago.