No. 1 Remington Rolling Block 7mm Mauser

[hawkenman]

I just obtained a Remington Rolling Block No.1, 7mm Mauser caliber rifle. The gun is good to excellent condition very tight and appears to have never been issued. Would modern day smokeless powder ammo have too much pressure and be unsafe to shoot.

[John Traveler]

That 7x57 Mauser Remington Rolling Block is a #5 model, and was designed from the start for smokeless powder loads.

It is safe for factory 7x57 ammo or equivalent handloads.

Please be advised that you may experience an apparent excess headspace of 6 or 8 thousandths of an inch even though the rifle is exellent.  This is due to differences between US and european manufacturing tolerances, as the US 7x57 chambers not SAAMI standardized until the early 20s.  Case life may be short.  It can be fixed by avoiding full-length resizing fired cases.

Make sure that the breechblock is fitted for the smaller smoklss powder firing pin, and is not replaced with the older BP breechblock with the larger firing pin hole.

[Ireload2]

The 7X57 rolling block has been known to blow itself open.
How does it do this? The primer pierces and the gas blows the hammer back.
Have it checked by a gunsmith and have it test fired.
Aways wear glasses. If anything goes wrong it is right in front of your face.

[iiranger]

As said, the 7x57 Rolling block version dates from the first days of smokeless powder and should be relatively safe if good judgment is used.

The US factory 175 grain round nose loads are designed for those old days and guns from same. Especially 93 Mausers, from Mexico usually.  At the same time, Norma is known for loading to much more modern pressures and this ammo might well work your gun loose if not pull it apart. Avoid. And many, many manuals, Lyman for instance, will list loads with lead bullets that are very safe and extend the barrel life to almost forever. Enjoy your prize. Fine piece of history. luck.

[MSP Ret]

I have one thanks to a great member here, Marv, aka Datil, and shoot it with reloads with lead bullets. It shoots fine and I hope to take a deer in Maine with it this year. The rest of the time It is destined to be at the range or hanging over the fireplace. Thanks again Marv, you made both my wife and I very happy with this fine gun....<><....