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(Continued from Part 4.)

Temperature Stable Powders

I will use temperature stable powder in these rifles so that during summer time temperatures, my previously safe-to-shoot cartridges is not adversely affected by an increase ambient air temperature or while chambered in a hot rifle barrel. H4895, H4831, H4350, and Varget are my top choices.

I engineer a wide margin of safety for powders that are not temperature stable and settle on a lesser weight charge. Accuracy can often be found at lower pressures when using lighter projectiles and at higher pressures if using heavier projectiles. Good accuracy for lighter projectiles is often found at top pressures and that is to be avoided in antique actions. Flat-based bullet will be more accurate than boat tail bullets therefore we can better avoid higher pressures when chasing accuracy.

If seeking top accuracy at lower pressures, it is better to use a heavy-for-caliber projectile that is also flat-based bullet. And because it is better to use a heavier projectile at lower velocities when hunting I will accept a hunting load that is not at top velocities. The recoil will be lower and the stress on the action lower.Continue reading“Reloading for the 1891 Argentine Mauser – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit”

(Continued from Part 3.)

In my opinion, regardless if the chambering is .300 Savage, or .308 Winchester, or .30-06, using a temperature-stable powder at charge that delivers a muzzle velocity of 2,150 fps to propel a .308 150 grain round nosed bullet designed for the .30-30 is the safest practical load I could put together and recommend if the reloader is primarily interested in safety.

As an example in the extreme to illustrate that a larger case capacity is more desirable in antique actions. If it were chambered in .30-06, 35 grains of IMR3031 behind a 150-grain round nosed bullet will achieve and not exceed .30-30 pressures (38,000CUP) and performance levels suitable for hunting deer. I would prefer to have an 1891 Argentine Mauser chambered in .30-06, yet that is a topic for another time as it could exceed the performance of even modern .308 Winchester if the Mauser wore its original long 28.5-inch barrel. Yet those rifles would be hard to find, therefore I am happy to also own an 1891 Argentine Mauser in .308 Winchester that is closer to the original 7.65x53mm case and ammunition.Continue reading“Reloading for the 1891 Argentine Mauser – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit”

(Continued from Part 2.)

Sizing the Brass to the Chamber

Assuming we have had a gunsmith evaluate the rifle, we should also fit the case to the chamber by backing out the die a full turn so that the shoulder of the case might be more than 1 to 2 thousandths of an inch longer. This process will compensate for the generous head spacing that exists in military actions coupled with the original military barrel, and remove any remaining and unneeded head space variance out of a re-barreled action. Accuracy might also be improved.

The bolt should not close without force applied or it may not close at all. Incrementally tighten the die so the shoulder is incrementally pushed back in tiny increments, and again test fit the case in the chamber each time the shoulder is pushed back. Repeat this process until there is only a slight crush fit feeling as the bolt is slowly closed.

At this point for a perfect fit, resize the case again without adjusting the die, but by placing a piece of clear adhesive tape that is not packing tape to the bottom of the case and then resize it one last time. This will push the shoulder back .002″ and provide an excellent fit. This method will reduce the chance of case failure due to excessive headspace. Only rely on this method if the bolt lugs do not have micro-cracks or indications of lug setback. This can be confirmed by your local gunsmith. Only shoot these custom-sized case cartridges in that particular rifle.Continue reading“Reloading for the 1891 Argentine Mauser – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”