Author Topic: Mauser M1891 (Read 797 times)

Kenneth L. Walters · « **on:** July 26, 2003, 06:21:03 AM »

I've got an excellent Mauser Model 1891 that works extremely well with 0.311 diameter jacketed bullets. I can not, however, find a cast bullet that works. Most, if they hit the target at all, hit it sideways. Can anyone recommend a cast bullet and powder charge that they know works?

elblerinnv · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2003, 10:07:38 AM »

I shoot three of these, and only one so far does well with cast bullets. It's a Loewe that has been sporterized with 24" barrel, shortened stock and an old Weaver KV scope, with post and cross hair. It is the only one of the three that slugs close to .312, the other two being closer to .3125. My Lyman 311284 casts a bullet of modern #2 alloy (92-6-2) right at .312, and the rifle shoots about 1.5"-1.75" for five shots. Bullets are sized .312, mostly to properly seat the gas check. Lube is alox/beeswax.
So far two powder charges have worked well, 12.0 grains of Red Dot, and 35.0 IMR 4064, both ignited with old Winchester 111 Large Pistol primers.
As I shoot this rifle more, the groups are tending to the upper end of the size range, and I think it may be time to lap out the mold and get a new .313 or .314 sizer.
Have you tried the Lyman 314299? Maybe if Midsouth makes available the .316220 in the limited production Lee molds in the future, it would be a good bet.

Kenneth L. Walters · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2003, 12:54:29 PM »

That was useful. Thanks!

NEI is back in business. I don't know how well Walt's daughter is at making moulds BUT they do have a number of slightly oversized bullets that look interesting for this gun.

Some suggest that 5744 would help. Will try that before buying yet another mould.

Billy Marr · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2003, 01:26:37 AM »

Get your self a mould that will pour a .313 bullet in the 200 gr range try. seat the gas check using the Lyman setup and then lube and size in a .3135 sizer. 10.5 gr of unique or universal. For a faster load use 18gr mp5744 or Varget

Sheriff Bart · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2003, 10:47:16 AM »

I shoot three 1891's and a 1909 and they all take a different diameter cast bullet. You need to slug the bore and choose a bullet size about 1 to 2 thou. over groove diameter. EG in my 1891 #1 the bore is .311 I have a Lee Mould for the 185 bullet GC that I lapped out to 3125 and this will shoot consistantly under 3" at 100yds with the Lyman peep sight. My 9109 took a .313 bullet to stabalize and group. Once the bullet cuts a round hole play with your size to improve your groups. On 1891 would shoot a 4" group with 311's and the group shrank to 2.5" with a switch to 312. Cast a few bullets through a new Lee Mould and see what they drop at then lap to size.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2003, 01:00:24 PM »

Kenneth L. Walters

I shoot cast bullets in 4 of the '91 Argies. Lyman's 311299 sized .312 or Lee's 311-185 also sized .312 over 27 gr H4895 with 1/2 gr dacron as a filler (not wad) runs 1800-1850 fps and shoots great. with the lee bullet 21 gr of 5744 (no dacron) works well also. However, for the last year I have been shooting Lyman's 315299 sized .314 and it REALLY shoots great wiith the 4895 load in all 4 rifles. I use .30 cal Hornady gas checks and Javlina lube.

For a good plinking and small game load use Hornadys .314 90 gr .32 cal swaged SWC (or the Lee .314-90-TL) over 3.2 gr of Bullseye. These run 800-900 fps and are great for plinking, small game and just fun shooting.

Larry Gibson

Kragman71 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2003, 03:14:44 PM »

You might consider checking out the gun shows for an old Ideal 30 cal mold;they usually run oversized.
My Lyman Ideal#31141 mold drops a bullet of .313. The newer,#311041,drops a bullet of .309. These bullets average 173 grains.
Probably because of the poor sights and terrible trigger,I get no good groups with this rifle with any load. The .313 Ideal bullet does as good as any of them.
Frank