1916 Spanish Mauser

[jjamna]

I know you guy's have probably discussed this a hundred times but I have just Joined this board and haven't found anything on these yet. What about the Spanish Mauser's converted to 308 Win- Will they hold Up? Mine has 308w stamped on the barrel not the 7.62. I read some where they test them and they held to around 90,000 cup. Any else heard this. By the way looks like a Great website so far.

[jh45gun]

Doubt very much they would take that pressure as they are a small ring model 1993 Mauser made for the 7x57. Some shoot 308s and say no harm but I would shoot them with reloads that are not max loads if it was me. Here is an article from Surplus Rifle you can read:

Using the model 1893 rifles, Spain developed the Spanish Civil Guard, M1916 Short Rifle, a rifle that changed a 29 inch long barrel to 21 inches.  According to sources, these rifles were made by the Ovideo arsenal between 1916 and 1951.  Original 1916 short rifles were in 7mm Mauser (7x57).  The Guardia Civil rifles, marked with the crest of crossed sword and fasces, apparently were converted to 7.62 from both 1916 and 1893 rifles in the 1960’s.  The converted rifles typically have the caliber 7.62 marked on them.  The two rifles are very similar except for caliber and barrel length (the 7mm barrel is a hair longer). These rifles are considered to be small ring Mauser receivers and are two-lug designed bolts, lacking the third safety lug commonly found on other Mauser rifles.

This short rifle features a turned-down bolt, recessed 5 round magazine, Guardia Civil Crest on the receiver (as shown below), fixed side support and sling swivel. Barrel length is 21 inches and overall length is 41.3 inches. The sights are inverted-V front and adjustable V-notch rear.

As with any military surplus, the rifle should be thoroughly safety checked.  Double check caliber markings on weapons.   Both 7x57 Mauser ammo and 7.62 NATO ammunition is available through numerous sources.  Note that the 7.62 NATO cartridge is not the same as .308 Winchester commercial cartridge in terms of pressure ratings.  Many shooters report using commercial .308 ammo with no ill effects, however REALLY, the weapons are marked for 7.62 ammo with max pressures of 49,700 psi CUP vs. 52,000 psi CUP. 

Handloading for the converted rifles is very common to keep pressures/recoil/muzzle blast down.  Recoil using the 7.62 NATO ammo is quite stout and some recoil protection is warranted. 

Note: These rifles are handily converted to 7.62x39mm using barrel inserts that tame the recoil quite effectively

[darkwing]

   Welcome jjamna,
 E-mail Samco and they will send a copy of a Guns & Ammo article that tested the 1916. Samco had the 1916 tested at HP whites lab. I've lost my copy but it seems they could take up to 90,000 psi.
    My old books rate all Spanish made military Mauser as soft so I assume that head space would be the first to go. Also the 1916 is on backorder at Samco and they are bringing 200.00 at gunshows.

[iiranger]

Old George got around and had a quote in one of his books from some German military spec. sheet. 98 Mausers were "proofed" up to around 85,000 pounds pressure or slightly more. Of course the exact terms would be metric. Germany did not waste steel. Working the gun at approx. 1/2 the proof, circa 50K CUP or slightly less, makes mechanical sense.

Now the Spaniards clung to the earlier Mauser 93/95 design well into WW II. And the conversions, obviously, took place well after WW II. One would hope they were "inspected" well, but As Groucho love to say, "Military Intelligence is a contradiction in terms."  So you have all the "negatives" of the small ring pre 98. No one is suggesting working them at 90K CUP, just that that particular rifle stood up to that load. That time. And it may not have been useable after that. Cock on closing. No third lug.

I like mine. I don't fear it. At the same time, I would look for a proof date, original on another gun. If it was first made/proofed, per De Haas in his book on bolt actions, proofed before 1925 or 1930, I would hesitate to shoot it much. Made after that, well, for a truck gun... It is not a 98 nor is it a 700 or Mark V... but a cheap way to harass the coyotes... good enough. And I would never take it into a p'dog town. It might stand up. My shoulder would not. Enjoy yours on the wall or the range.

[jh45gun]

For what it is worth I like my 7x57  model 93  Spanish Mauser, but the Spanish did not make their Mausers as nice as Germany or the Swedes did. I would stick with moderate loadings and play it safe.

[jjamna]

For what it is worth I sent it to a gun-smith to drill and tap for a scope. He said not to worry about it as he had to spot anneal to get the holes drilled with a carbide bit. After he told me that I think it will be alright with factory ammo. One thing he said before drilling was for reloading, use data for a 300 Savage because the pressure level is about right for the weaker Mauser. Just hope it shoots half way decent.

[canon6]

I have a 1916 Spanish I converted to a scout rifle in 2003,I use surplus 7.62X51 and reloads in it. My reloads are 150gr NBT at@ 2700fps .pressure is running @44.400 and with a zero set at 25yds you are down 8 inches at 350.  Doug

[jjamna]

Got it all back From Hamricks and put scope on went to sight in. Sighted in around 2inches high at 100 yds. Between 1 and 1 1/2 inch groups. (not bad for an old military rifle). Shot it at 200 yds and hit dead center of bulls eye. I was jumping with joy. I load with 300 savage data and Hornady SST 150 grainers. 2600 fps. Been deer hunting with it all week. Shot a ground hog at 200 yds Tues and a 7 pointer last night at 180. Only trouble I am having is chambering the rounds out of the magazine. They are not lineing up just right. They go in just fine if I load them single