7x57 Mauser

[Waynzee]

Hi fellas, I have my dad's custom small ring 7x57 Mauser, it's been popping the primpers about half way out of the case. So the gunsmith told me the best way to fix it is to take the barrel off, set it back about .006 of an inch and rechamber it. I enjoy shooting and hunting with this rifle because it was my dad's and I don't want it screwed up. So question is will this work what will this do to the bolt lugs and bolt face.

 

[just country]

morning, due u handload?lightbulbgun)

 

[Waynzee]

Yep, the loads are mild 43 grs. IMR 4350 under a 160 gr. Sierra bullet.

 

[just country]

morning, r the primer pockets oversized? how many times have these

cases been reloaded? who is the makers of these cases? who is the maker

of these primers? do all the primers protrude from the cases after being

fired? there r a lot of variables to b considered. now did ur father hand load for

for his favorite deer cartridge. sorry for ur loss. what make is the rifle

and receiver. as said this is a small ring mauser. good note the 7x57 is an

outstanding deer sized cartridge. THK. U lightbulbgun)

 

[Waynzee]

Checked the cases they are all good and the primer pockets are tight. Using CCI BR 2 primers. No, I don't think it's the cases because I fired some of the same rounds in a friends Ruger model 77- 7x57 and had no problem with the cases or primers.

 

[Greyfox]

Before I did any gunsmithing work I would try some quality factory loads. See if the problem occurs. If you have the tools, you could measure the headspace difference between a fired case and unfired brass. If the difference is more then.010" your gunsmith may be correct in his advice.

 

[Waynzee]

So, upon talking to the gunsmith I got some further info.,he said he put a head space no go gauge in the chamber and the bolt closed on it, he also said it was snug on the close and that's why he suggested about .006 for the set back. Does that sound about right ?

 

[Edd]

You don't want to have the barrel set back .006". You said the primers were halfway out of the case, that is a lot more than .006". A piece of quality printer paper is that thick. If you are reloading, you can easily compensate .006" with your die adjustment.

Your issue sounds like you are pushing your shoulder back too far when you are sizing your cases. You need to examine your dies and shell holder to determine what is causing that.

Take your die and shell holder to that Smith and have him tell you how much gap there is between them when they are set up on his no go gauge.

 

[Greyfox]

I agree that.006" of setback does not seem like a sufficient enough given the amount your primers are protruding. From your statements, the rifle has been used by your father as well as yourself in the past. A headspace problem is not something that develops over time unless the barrel was loosened, which would be rare. It would have always been noticeable by your father or yourself when using the rifle in the past. I can't help to think that if this issue did not appear in the past, that something is not right with your reloads. I would reiterate my prior suggestion that you try a factory Remington, Winchester, or Federal cartridge and see if your primers are still protruding.

 

[Waynzee]

OK, thanks guys, I'll pick up a box of ammo tomorrow and see whats going on. I can probably get a box of ammo from the gunsmith and shoot it right there while he's there so he could get a idea of whats going too. I'll bring my dies with me too.

 

[just country]

morning, due what Grey Fox suggested. fire some factory purchased ammo

and fire a few rounds. measure the primer height before and after firing.

THK. Ulightbulbgun)

 

[shortgrass]

Hi fellas, I have my dad's custom small ring 7x57 Mauser, it's been popping the primpers about half way out of the case. So the gunsmith told me the best way to fix it is to take the barrel off, set it back about .006 of an inch and rechamber it. I enjoy shooting and hunting with this rifle because it was my dad's and I don't want it screwed up. So question is will this work what will this do to the bolt lugs and bolt face.

Is this action a small ring '98 or a pre-98 action, such as a 1893 or 1895? Is the bolt handle lift different between a fired and unfired? According to my Sierra Loading Manual (Edition 5) 43g of IMR4350 is very near the top recommended loading with a 160g SGK for the 7mm x 57. It is not inconceivable that there has been some locking lug 'set-back', as the Mauser actions were case hardened under what today would be considered 'primitive' procedures. Whatever the case, this needs to be dis-assembled, examined and repaired if possible.

 

[Waynzee]

Is this action a small ring '98 or a pre-98 action, such as a 1893 or 1895? Is the bolt handle lift different between a fired and unfired? According to my Sierra Loading Manual (Edition 5) 43g of IMR4350 is very near the top recommended loading with a 160g SGK for the 7mm x 57. It is not inconceivable that there has been some locking lug 'set-back', as the Mauser actions were case hardened under what today would be considered 'primitive' procedures. Whatever the case, this needs to be dis-assembled, examined and repaired if possible.

This is a 1895 Chilean Mauser, I couldn't really feel any difference in bolt lift. Yes, that is what the gunsmith was trying to explain to me (locking lug set-back) but I guess I just couldn't understand what he was saying. Either way that is a good idea to have it examined in case there is something more wrong.

Thanks

 

[LoneTraveler]

WHERE did your Loading dies and shell holder you are loading with come from?
I have ran into dies and shell holders in Flea Market and Pass down situations, That someone has ground on or shortened with a lathe, and changed the die length. They could adjust the dies and produce good ammo. Unless you are aware of it, Could be down right dangerous to you.
If your dad shot it for years and now there is a problem. SOMETHING HAS CHANGED. I would try factory ammo and check out the loading dies.
.006 (Six Thousands) the gunsmith is talking about would be about the thickness of a regular copy paper. Not half a primer depth.
If a barrel is going to be set back, It needs a full thread turn set back so the writing on the barrel lines proper with now. And then ream the chamber to proper depth.

BE SAFE AND CAREFUL WHILE SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, GOOD LUCK.