7.65x53 Argentene 1891 rifle in the Alaskan Arctic Circle

[Rex in OTZ]

I have a DWM 1891 Arg Mauser with a T serial # (Mfg 1900) (Mfg way before the Titanic was built)
 
I have very limited reloading experence (lee mallet loader for 45-70 and 7.62x54R), Ive never reloaded centerfire on a press + useing greater weight bullets than found on reloading charts.
Ive done some net checking and have access to 2 old reloading manuals, nothing really helps my quest for a safe, good hunting load for the older 7.65x53 Arg and 180gr bullets
 
I have have 2 powders I have access to,  H335 and IMR 4350
My bullets are 180gr  .310" Remington Corlokt (bag says 303British)
CCI large Rifle Primers
Brass is new Prvi Partizan 7.65 Arg
I just bought a Lee 3 die set and have a press RCBS single stage press
I have a RCBS powder scale
 
I live 530 miles away from a town with reloading supply selection, so simply hopping in a car to drop by the local gun shop is not a option.

[Larry L]

From the Lyman Manual 45th Edition. For the 180gr Remington bullets using IMR4350 powder.
44.0 grs starting load= 2150'ps
49.0 grs max load- compressed= 2463'ps


They also list an accuracy load of 41.0 grs IMR4895 = 2370'ps


I doubt you'll find any H335 loading data as the powder wasn't around when these old timers were being used. The above was with an Argentine Mauser for a test firearm, 29 1/4" barrel, Remington 9 1/2 primers. Trim length was 2.100,  OAL 2.970.
If it were mine, I'd be more inclined to buy a pound of IMR4895 and use their accuracy load for starters. I've found their accuracy loads to usually be the best overall.
Start load IMR4895 40.0grs = 2304'ps, max load 44.0 grs =2551'ps




Edit: I lied. I looked in some of my old Hodgdon manuals and H335 data was there. They don't list a 180 but they do list a 175.  Start loads are 37.0 grs H335 =2090'ps, max load 40.0 grs =2372'ps. You can extrapolate from that by staying off of the max load.

[swifty22]

Rex, Where tha Hell ar Ya? (sorry the OLD guy down the road used to call me and ask that when he wanted me to come feed his heifers!) I looked in all my books (about 10) and what I found (for a .311 180 gr)  is that 47-48 gr of any of the 4350's is max but at about 37.5 thousand # of pressure.  My best guess (anybody else?) is that is all that will go in the case. From the Hodgdon book  H-335 is 37 to 40 (max) gr. If I were you in the above circum. I would load the IMR-4350 @ from 45 to 47 gr (to start) then go. The reason I would use the 4350 is that it is easier to ignite than the ball H-335 as I am assuming it will get COLD there and you probably can not get enough 4350 in the case to cause problems. When you get to a store I would get something like H-4895 and some Fed 215 primers or Win WLR magnum primers and try some lower loads, to start, for the H-335. The magnum primers are fine for the powders you have as well as the H-4895. The max 48 gr I-4350 load is about 2300 FPS and I would not hesitate to use that on anything through the top of the heart w/ those Rem bullets. Larry L. is right on w/my stuff. Please keep us posted-Muddy

[Rex in OTZ]

Thank You Fellas for the loading data, Guess this weekend is perfict to set up the press and try out a couple loads, I have some magnum primers (Thinking winchester have to check)

[rdlange]

Curious about the rifle.  I had one back in the 60s in Afghanistan.  LONG barrel and couldn't scope it because the bolt came back thru the center of the action.  Traded it to a guy there who cut it down.  Remember using 303 brit bullets but no idea what powder.  It shot well.  Good luck with it.

[Rex in OTZ]

Its too Homely to reconfigure to military, from the filler material in the rear swivel inlet its etched 1974, the crest was ground off (importer?), oddly bent bolt handle, the stock sporter cut,military sights removed and a williams peep receiver and sporter ramp up front sights, butt plate removed and red rubber recoil pad fitted, all matching 'T'serial # complete this early sporter.
she should shoot from the condition of muzzle and bore .