Would it be [relatively] safe to reuse powder if....

[bczrx]

I'll ask my question first, and give the back story and details after. Please look at the conditions I am placing upon my actions before answering, as I think this is safe, and my dad [who has been loading since the 60s] thinks so too.

The question: Is it safe to use Military Surplus [FN manufactured, Herstal Belgium,1970] gun powder in my own reloads of 7mm Mauser rifle ammo?

I am about to start loading cartridges and am thinking through some steps.

This is going into a 1895 Chilean 7x57 mm Mauser that has been in my family since the 1960s.


About 6 years ago I tracked down some military surplus 7x57mm Mauser cartridges and bought a crate of them, since they were at $4 per 20. They were FN Herstal/Belgium manufactured, in 1970, I believe.

I haven't had a chance to shoot in 5 years, and am just now going through them. I've been checking for cracks/damage in the casings and wound up finding about 1/2 of the crate/case was 'good'.

I will be pulling the 'bad' cartridges apart [I've done it with my dad, who reloads] and will have over 700 bullets to use for reloading. These are the 'damaged' shells, or the ones that I am just not willing to risk my life/face on, thus the shell and primer will be scrapped. But that leaves the bullet itself and the powder.

I had a thought and my dad says it is probably ok, under certain [to be listed] conditions. I wanted to see what you all thought too.

My idea was to carefully measure the number of grains of powder in each cartridge as I dismantle them [again, I've used bullet pullers off and on for years doing this step for my dad-I just haven't LOADED cartridges yet] and average the number of grains from 10 cartridges to get a 'base-line'. Then I would save the gunpowder and use it to reload-being sure to reduce the powder charge by 10-20% of the FN loads.

My thought was that the reduction in number of grains would help avoid a KB with my 115 year old Mauser, as well as account for any changes to the powder composition over time.

My intended use for these rounds is STRICTLY for range 'plinking': Not hunting, not personal defense, not competition. I would be doing THESE reloads strictly for the fun of plinking around with them.


So, does this seem like it would be relatively safe? The powder would be stored in old gunpowder tins that would be clearly relabeled, and I'd be using the factory FN load of number of grains, reduced by at least 10%.

I would NOT be using this powder for any other calibers, be it rifle or pistol.

Thank you.

[ArchAngelCD]

If you can weigh the exact charge of powder being used in the Mauser ammo and use the same bullet they used in the same once fired brass I would say doing so is safe. Having powder and bullets from 700 rounds to use in the once fired brass that's still good from the cases of ammo IMO is a good way to save money and components.

That said I would not use that powder with any other bullet or case than the original since you have no way of knowing what powder you are using and what load data is safe.

BTW, reducing the charge weight by 10-20% may be too much, especially 20%. I wouldn't reduce the charge by more than 5%.

[Missionary]

Good morning
If it was me saying the intended rifle is safe to shoot, I would start by weighing the charge and comparing that to known given charges in several manuals to get a feel what burn rate that powder is.
Then I would load one round with the lightest charge given for that comparitaive powder load. Take the rifle to a safe place, place the butt in and old car tire, tie the barrel down and set it off with a string with your body safely behind a tree or wall.
That is what I would do. From that test shot you will learn alot about that powders burn rate. Take a good look at the primer and with a dial caliper measure the case around the web area for expansion comparing that diameter to fired cases from your rifle.

[Engineer1911]

Reducing powder charge 5% is reasonable, Using 'modern' or 'current production' brass is also safe. I have used the modern brass is modern brass practise for 40 years of reloading without a problem.

Throw out any brass that has green or brown corrosion on it. The corrosion has weakened the brass an it will rupture or split -- at the worst poissible time.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

As long as you're using the same cases, I would agree 100% with ArchAngelCD (he also said same cases). If, for some reason, you use other cases, you should compare case capacity, and neck diameter loaded. Even so, it's not like you're short of original cases.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD

If you can weigh the exact charge of powder being used in the Mauser ammo and use the same bullet they used in the same once fired brass I would say doing so is safe. Having powder and bullets from 700 rounds to use in the once fired brass that's still good from the cases of ammo IMO is a good way to save money and components.

That said I would not use that powder with any other bullet or case than the original since you have no way of knowing what powder you are using and what load data is safe.

BTW, reducing the charge weight by 10-20% may be too much, especially 20%. I wouldn't reduce the charge by more than 5%.

I agree with AA on all of the above but want to add that you also are reloading to the exact OAL of the original old rounds. I myself would load just a few at a reduced rate even at a 10% reduction. As they are Military rounds they are probably max loads but that is only a guess as is the brand of powder.

[Forrest r]

I think I'd be more concerned as to when your 1895 chilean mauser was made. I don't trust the steel on the older rifles.

That fn ammo might of been made for the belgium assult rifles. The belgium assult rifles were extremely popular in the 60's/70's. They made semi-auto in 7mm, 8mm & 30-06. My brother had one in 30-06 & it took full house loads to have it function correctly. If we tried to put anything whimpy down the tube it became a jam-o-matic.

Have fun, be safe & enjoy