Spanish Model 1916 rifles -- Any Good?

[Lead Head]

Has anyone had experience with the Spanish Model 1916 rifles in 7x57 Mauser or the converted ones in 308W?
 
I have one each in both of the calibers and can't say I am pleased with them. Accuracy isn't very good and neither of them likes to feed well from the magazine. The 7x57 seems to feed the first round or two, then one will cock to the side enough to prevent chambering. The 308 refuses to feed most rounds from the magazine. They tend to cock to the side enough that the bullet nose jams against the rear of the barrel and doesn't point the bullet nose at the chamber opening.
 
These Spanish mausers are not near as cheap as the 91-30 Nagants and the Mosin Nagants I have, (12 of them) always out shoot the Spanish mausers in every respect. That is my experience.

[shot1]

Those that were converted to 308 were not really meant to shoot standard 308 or 7.62X51 NATO ammo. They shot what was call a cetme SP? round. It was loaded to much lower pressures than the NATO or WIN stuff. You stand a good chance of blowing one of those small ring actions up or having bolt set back problems shooting high pressure ammo. I know others say "I have shot regular ammo in these and have had on problems." Well it is kind of like the fellow that was smoking while putting gas in his car and told me that he had done this all his life and never had a blow up. I told him that it only takes one time and you don't want to be around if it happens. Just a word of caution.

[spruce]

Shot1 is right - the ones converted to .308 were intended to fire the lower pressure CETME round, not the .308 Win or NATO rounds.   The model 1916 is actually a M95 Mauser action and isn't up to handling the pressures that the M98 can.
 
They should feed 7mm ball ammo, or any ammo with similar bullet profiles, OAL, etc, as that is what they were designed to work with.  The .308 is slightly shorter so maybe they're a little more touchy about feeding them?
 
My first thought would be that maybe the magazine follower springs have weakened with age and are not lifting the cartridges up enough for a proper positioning to the bolt and chamber to feed smoothly.  Just a thought.

[1911crazy]

I have them in 7x57 and in 308 too.  samco had the 308 tested and it passed with 308win ammo but i wouldn't shoot the heavy 308 rounds out of it anyway.
I picked up a FN '94 barreled action in 308 and installed a chamber adapter so it can shoot the 7,62x39 round for my new grandsons first deer rifle. The barrel was cut already so i'm saving it.

[canon6]

I have  one in 7.62x51 and shoot surplus and ammo loaded to surplus pressures.I have had one since '95 and never had a problem with them. Doug