Ammo for M1916 Spanish Mauser

[Art]

The 1916 Spanish Mausers were ALL conversions to 7.62x51 Cetme. While this is in a .308 diameter it was loaded to lower pressures then the standard NATO round. It did not exceed the 7x57 pressures the rifle was originally made in. One can fire NATO 7.62 in it but do not use .308 ammo. Especially the heavy 180 gr bullets as it will start bending the lugs. If you do shoot it with NATO spec ammo then keep a close eye on the fired primers. If you see any primers backing out of their pockets even a little then stop shooting as the lugs are moving and head space is changing.

I've learned to always be careful about saying "all" especially in this case since Merc's rifle passed the "bullet test" with a 7mm cartridge. If the rifle had been converted to 7.62mm it would have swallowed the 7mm round, probably partway down the neck. When in doubt see a gunsmith.

[fguffey]

If you see any primers backing out of their pockets even a little then stop shooting as the lugs are moving and head space is changing

.

If you see any primers backing out of their pockets even a little then stop shooting

When I find protruding primers I know the case body locked to the chamber but the case head never made it back to the bolt face. I understand that makes no sense to an internet reloader. And then there is 'what else I know'. I know if the case head does not make it back to the bolt face the case does not have stretch between the case head and case body. If the case head makes it back to the bolt face it seats the primer and the 'bad news'? The case stretches between the case head and case body.. I am very luck because the headspace on my rifles does not change. If my rifle had clearance the clearance had to be added to the length of the chamber; I off set the length of the chamber with the length of the case from the shoulder to the case head.

And then there is case headspace; my cases do not have case head space.

F. Guffey

[Tuna]

Art, I should have added that in all 1916 Spanish Mausers converted to .308 were ALL in 7.62x51 Cetme, not in .308.

[Art]

Art, I should have added that in all 1916 Spanish Mausers converted to .308 were ALL in 7.62x51 Cetme, not in .308.

Got it, thank you for the explanation .