What to do? Opinions please!

[Chupathingy]

I have a Spanish Mauser FR-7 that is currently chambered in .308Win and after much reading and even further confusion, I have decided that I am uncomfortable with trying to shoot either commercial .308 or 7.62x51Nato from this rifle. I would ultimately like for this rifle to be a pig popper to possibly ride in the rear cab of the truck, although I am exploring other options.
Any suggestions on what to have it rechambered for? All opinions welcome. I just dont have any use for a safe queen.
 Here she is.



 
Chupa

[spruce]

I agree with you - I've always thought the .308 chambering was pushing these rifles a little too close to their design limits for comfort!
Offhand, I can't think of any less powerful cartridge it could be rechambered for.  Rebarreling would be an option, but more expensive.
 
The cheapest option would be to just shoot reduced loads in it - reloading the .308 to roughly .303 British or .30/40 Krag power (and pressure) levels.  Another option, if you don't reload, might be to shoot the Managed Recoil ammo made by Remington or Federal (and perhaps others now).

[Mikey]

Spruce:  thanks for giving Chupa that advice, which is exactly what I was going to do.
Chupa:  that rifle is stronger than you think but there is no need to push it with high pressure 308 loads.  As Spruce suggested, the Managed Recoil ammo is a good option:  lower pressures but still good enough for hog or whitetail.  Have fun.

[S.S.]

I have one of those rifles also, And I have fire lots of  308 and its nato brother 7.62x51.
but unless you reload, you basically have a single shot. The 7x57 that these guns were originally
 chambered is a bit longer round and the 308  jams up between the chamber and receiver top.
Get at least 168 grain bullets and load them to their longest over all length. I load mine to about equal a 300 savage.
it is extremely accurate

[blackpowderbill]

 I believe that the 7.62x51mm that the Fr7 and CETME A fired, while identical in dimension
to the 7.62 NATO, utilized a lighter but longer bullet loaded to a lower velocity and operating pressure. In the mid 50s, CETME rifles were converted to fire the NATO round.
 As previously stated, just load to .300 Savage levels, your targets will never know the difference.

[tdoor]

Dosn't look like an FR-7 at least like mine.  More like a 1916 unless the front sight and rear sight has been changed.  you can reload to 300 savage specs and be all right or you can box it up and send it to me I will give it a good home.

[tdoor]

looked at the pics agin and that is not an FR-7  rear sight is in the wrong place and front sight is wrong

[shinjin]

if you want to re-barrel go back to 7x57. Hard to beat round and right length for action. If not re-barrel, it ain't cheap unless you can do it yourself, then shoot the Managed Recoil.

[Chupathingy]

Dosn't look like an FR-7 at least like mine.  More like a 1916 unless the front sight and rear sight has been changed.  you can reload to 300 savage specs and be all right or you can box it up and send it to me I will give it a good home.

I think you're right. But I'll keep it, shoot, only paid $25 for it at an estate sale. Thanks for the info, guess I need to do some reading on the 1916.

Chupa

[tdoor]

Depends on action either a 93 or 95 action load 150 gr. mid range 300 savage specs.  about 45,000 chamber pressure and you will be safe.  Or you can rebarrel to a 7x57 and have a real toy.  scout mount a pistol scope on it, don't drill any holes for mounts, and you will have a short and fast handling brush or woods rifle.  If you want more info just get a hold of me by pm and I will pas you my phone number   tdoor

[Reverend Recoil]

I would go with the 7x57 or 6.5x55.  200yd performance is about the same.  A little less recoil with 6.5x55.

[mauserand9mm]

Is it one of these?
 
http://masterton.us/Gammo

[tdoor]

Is it one of these?
 
http://masterton.us/Gammo      that is the beaste