Unique, cast bullets, and the 7.65x53mm Mauser

Warren Sear

Warren Sear

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For those interested, I recently loaded some ammo for my Model 1891 Argentine Mauser rifle.

I have noticed that none of the recent (within the past 25 years or so) loading manuals use Unique for low velocity cast bullet use. My guess is the reason for this is because the publishers are afraid of handloaders blowing up their rifles by accidentally (carelessly) loading multiple charges, but I don't know. I have used Unique in the 6.5x55mm, 7x57mm, 8x57mm, 7.65x53mm Mauser and .30-06 and 35 Whelan cartridges (and others, I am sure) for many years, and it works spectacularly well for low powered and sub-sonic ammo.

I got out my old Lee single cavity mold and cast about 150 bullets. Every one of them were keepers; I did not have to re-melt a single one of them, which is really saying something about Lee bullet molds. I sized the bullets to .313" and lubricated them using my home-made bullet lube. I loaded the bullets under 10.0 grains of Unique.

I have a set of RCBS dies, but use a spare Lee bullet seater in this caliber that I keep set for cast bullets. I always crimp in a separate, final step using a Lee factory crimp die, and it allows production of some very nice ammo.

Anyway, that's how I do it...
 

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Just spectacular!
That's the fun in reloading classic bottlenecks right there!
There's nothing like vintage blue steel and walnut and a light cast bullet load.
I still have a huge jug of SR 4759 (from back in the DuPont days) for just such good times!
Cheers!
 
Very nice!! Beautiful old rifle...great cartridge. I used to do something similar with the 303 British. Worked up a plinking load with 32 caliber cast revolver bullets. I've got notes in my reloading manuals for numerous loads, up to a heavy Woodleigh bullet.

What very nice looking cartridges that particular bullet makes!!

Best Regards, Les
 
A good handloader can do some stunning things :D

GREAT THREAD & posts !

Very nice Mauser rifle, far ahead of its time. Compare the ballistics:
7,65 x 53 Argentine & .308Winchester (7,62 x 51) :)

Always liked the Factory Crimp Die - Lee Precision
for loading ammo for lever action rifles and the "bit bigger bores"
(.416 Remington Magnum, .45-70, .458 Lott...)

P.44
 
I should have noted that the 155 grain bullet mold I used was originally designed for casting bullets for the 7.62x39mm (AK47) cartridge. I like this bullet for the 7.65x53 because both cartridges have a similarly short neck and are a few thousandths of an inch larger in diameter than the typical "American" .308 bore. I have another bullet mold in 185 grains made for the .303 British, and it works fine for either cartridge, but there is too much exposed lubricant (whether inside or outside the case, neither situation is good) when used with the Mauser cartridge.
 
6string said:
For folks looking to get into this angle of the reloading game, and maybe not having a library of the old classic books and manuals, here's a great place to start:

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/OM/IdealHandbook38.pdf
Click to expand...
6string, thank you so much for posting that treasure trove of valuable information. I have a new bookmark!

I have these old manuals that were given to me by an old friend and mentor who has since gone on to his eternal reward. These books have provided who-knows-how-many hours of entertainment and interesting reading enjoyment, not to mention valuable loading data, for me...
 

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I've been shooting a long time. And the old boys at the club shot reduced loads in their garands. The smell of cream of wheat from the guns still in my mind 40 years later. Unique is a very good powder for many guns and rifles as well. Shoot on my friend and enjoy.
 
I think the idea of folks misusing the data is closer to the truth. Reduced velocity loads with fmj bullets (turkey loads) used to be included but no more. I believe part of that reason is that some of the powders involved are no longer made. However, I believe there are other powders available that could do the same thing. OK, I expect establishing a need to purchase yet another load manual with cast bullet loads also intrudes.
 
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The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook contains numerous rifle loads using handgun powders. Shotgun powders can be used as well. 13 grains of Red Dot works well as light load using any weight and type of bullet (even jacketed) in virtually any .30-30 or larger rifle caliber - all the way to .45-70. No filler is needed, so forget the Cream of Wheat. Such loads produce basically black powder ballistics. Of course, they will not function in semiautomatics. At one time such loads were fairly commonly used for "finishing" shots on wounded game by hunters.

My favorite load in .300 Savage is a 170 grain cast bullet with 23 grains of IMR4227. It functions the long-recoil action (reliably but just barely) of my Remington Model 81, has very little recoil and noise, and will produce 4"-5" 5-shot groups at 100 yards. MV is close to 2000 ft/sec, and not a hint of leading in the bore. It would work just as well in .308, which is essentially identical to the .300 Savage, except for its longer case neck. So is the 7.65x53 Mauser.
 
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^^^ I'm with you on the Cream of Wheat filler. Not needed, and can lead to trouble.

Has anyone else noticed the lack of pistol or shotgun powder reduced power loads in the newer manuals, and know the reason for this? I see a lot of newer shooters wanting low powered or even sub-sonic loads for whatever reason, and are completely baffled by how to do this without destroying their gun.
 
Yes, I see data being taken off the pages for "Light loads".

I also see the SR4756 and SR4759 being taken out of service.
SR4759 is my go to 30-06 super light load with the jacket, 100gr bullets
for my custom 1903 bolt action.

Great looking rifle by the way.
 
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