(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)
Considerations for Projectile Selection
There are many different bullets and powders to choose from. Given the very long throats of their chambers, we are mostly limited to heavier and flat based bullets. Choosing the best projectiles for the antique Mausers will help us get the best all around results, quickly.
For the purposes of hunting, I would like it to shoot no larger groups than 2 MOA with iron sights and that would limit my shoots to 250 yards if I had 20-20 or better vision and had the rifle on a rest for the shot. The bullet must of soft construction so that it expands instantly and adequately wide enough at lower impact velocities, and have enough weaght to penetrate through the game at wood ranges with quartering away shots.
Cup and Core Traditional Hunting Bullets
There are many good bullets that might be used and I have considered some of them, yet not all. There is simply not enough time to do so and it is not necessary. The bullets discussed have a wide following and are well tested over the decades. These are traditional cup and core that tend to be of softer construction, and many had to have been designed specifically for 7mm Mauser.
They are proven performers in 7mm Mauser and they can be purchased at almost half to one third the price of modern high tech varieties that are actually not a good fit for the M1895 rifles. Modern bullets are designed with modern rifle barrel designs, for 200 fps higher in velocity cartridges, and tend to have higher ballistic coefficients that may not stabilize well in a long throat that may be made longer by throat erosion, and in bores that have greater variations in tolerance or are just plain close to being worn out.
raditional cup and core bullets that typically have a lower ballistic coefficient than modern bullets are more affordable and perfectly good for normal wood hunting ranges. There has been a long term trend that favors modern high performance bullets that have grabbed the attention of the market, while tried and true traditional bullets are increasingly marginalized.
Fairly recently, the large manufacturers have mostly discontinued all of the round nosed (RN) bullet designs as a result. Most have forgotten why the round nose is a good choice for woods or brush hunting. Heavy round nosed bullets are extremely stable in flight. They are moving at lower velocities and can punch through brush and not be deflected as are spitzer bullets. RN bullets were popular in Eastern woods for this reason. Some specialty shops still offer soft RN bullets.
Modern Boattail and Light for Caliber Bullets
The goal of the article is show how one can quickly develop an accurate and effective handloaded cartridge with the least amount of experimentation. The following are what I would and would not use, and why.
7mm 139 grain Hornady SST
The 7mm 139 grain Hornady SST is a modern bullet and examplethat has a very high ballistic coefficent. However because this bullet is designed for modern rifles, it may or may not be accurate in an M1895 7mm Mauser. Some users have reported good accuracy, others report disappointment. It may require additional load development to get a light for caliber bullet with a boattail to shoot accurately enough for a 200 yard shot.
In addition, if using 140 grain 7mm bullets, I would be inclined to only take broadside on deer sized game weighing no more than 200 pounds or thereabouts. The shot should avoid the major bones and limit the range to 200 yards until I had experience with the bullet and confidence to take quartering away shots on medium to lighter deer. It may not penetrate well enough to reach the vital and damage enough tissue to drop the deer quickly.
The Lightest Recommended Bullet Weight, 154 grains
Based upon my research, a bullet weight of less than 154 grains is not as accurate in antique 7mm Mausers, because of the long throat and because modern bullets with very high ballistic coefficients have an aerodynamic shape (and ogive type), and a shorter bearing surface that is not conducive to accuracy in these rifles. Old school or traditional bullet designs are best.
Flat base bullets are usually the most accurate in all rifles as they tend to fully stabilize quickly and inside of 300 yards. From my research, and given my experience with M96 Swedish Mausers in 6.5×55 that are similar in design to the 7mm Mauser in most ways, I can say, that light-for-caliber and high ballistic coefficient bullets in the 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser are also less accurate at 300 yards and beyond. 6.5mm boat tail projectiles that weigh less than 139 grains will tend to lose their accuracy at greater distances as compared the accuracy of 139 grain and heavier bullet as much so as the 7mm Mauser does better with Flat-Base 140-grain or 154-grain bullets.
In both the M1896 Swedish Mauser and the M1895 7mm Mauser, the flat base that is a heavy-for-caliber bullet is closer to the bullet that the rifle was designed to originally use is easier to get to shoot with good accuracy and with a variety of powders. In my opinion, it is best to feed the 7mm Mauser the same way in order to end up with acceptable accuracy, or the best accuracy possible from barrels of all conditions from excellent to fair in condition. Badly worn or damaged bore may shoot adequately well when the 175 grain round nose or spitzer flat based bullet is used.
Just yesterday I found a bargain basement price offering for the 7mm 154-grain Hornady Interlock bullet at only 20 cents each. I will dig deep and attempt to stock up, ASAP. This would be a good bullet for self defense purposes and hunting medium game that might be necessary during a TEOTAWAKI situation (WROL). At this price, one can practice shooting often and a lot.
The Hornady 7mm 154 grain Interlock
The 150-154 grain flat based 7mm bullet is the lightest projectile I would consider for the M1895 7mm Mauser cartridge. With the introduction of the spitzer bullet, many military organizations discontinued use of the original 173 grain round nose and instead used a 154 grain spitzer bullet. Odds are they believed that this was the best choice at the time and I believe that it is a good choice today.
It is the best light bullet choice for antique or small ring military 7mm Mausers and reports from the field indicate that the Hornady 154 grain Interlock is accurate and deadly in these rifles. It is considered to be a good all round hunting bullet. 7mm bullets lighter than 154 grains tend to lack the penetration necessary for successful quartering away shots on medium sized deer.
The 7mm 154 grain Hornady Interlock (B.C. 0.423) is a good choice for the M1893/95 7mm Mauser where game animals are medium sized, and when in open country when there are not strong winds to contend with. When Superformance powder (discussed in Part 1) is used it might be flatter shooting if top velocities of 2,750 fps is possible with good accuracy from a 24 inch barrel. This makes shots out to 300 yards and beyond more feasible in windy conditions.
The 154 grain Interlock: A Comparison with 7.62 x 51 M80 Trajectory
A load using Superformance powder that can produce a muzzle velocity of up to 2,750 fps with the 154 grain bullet would have approximately the same or flatter trajectory as 7.62 NATO M80 ball that is a 147 or 150 grain FMJ (Hornady’s 150 grain FMJ bullet has a B.C. of 0.398) .30 caliber bullet. 7.62 NATO M80 ammunition is launched at the similar velocities of around 2,750 fps from a 24 inch barrel and slower in 22 inch battle rifle barrels, yet the NATO FMJ bullet has a lower ballistic coefficient of no more than 0.400. Because the 154 grain Interlock has a ballistic coefficient of .0423, it has a better ability to buck the wind and can also be favorably well compared to the Hornady 165 grain Interlock bullet (B.C. 400).
The 154 grain Interlock: A Comparision, with .308 Winchester 165 grain Interlock
A 7mm 154 grain Hornady Interlock propelled at 2,750fps has a flatter trajectory and better ability to buck the wind than the highest velocity that can be achieved in a 308 Winchester rifle with Hornady’s 165 grain Interlock at a maximum 2,700 fps using a maximum load of 43.5 grains of IMR 4064. In my estimation, the 7mm 154 grain load at this velocity is slightly superior in terms of trajectory to this .308 Winchester 165 grain Interlock load. Of course the .308 Winchester 165 grain Interlock would take larger game than our 7mm 154 grain Interlock handload at 2,750 fps. We can quickly see that the old 7mm Mauser revived with modern powders is no slouch.
The Hornady 162 grain Interlock, BTSP
It was designed for the 7mm Remington Magnum, yet it is not a tough or slow expanding bullet and might be a good one if we can get the MV closer to 2,600fps. Like the 154 grain Interlock, it will expand reliably at an impact velocity of 2,200fps. To increase the range that these can be used for hunting, the MV will need to be higher than 2,300fps and as high as possible, and closer to 2,600fps.
I put it in the same category as the Speer 160 grain Hotcor. It is just a little bit too tough if we had only medium burn rate powders that would struggle to launch these bullets at 2,400fps from a 24 inch barrel. The 154 and 162 grain Interlocks are known to produce a fast killing wound channel, yet the 162 grain Interlock is a tad heavy unless we can use a modern powder that increases the muzzle velocity by at least 100 to hopefully 200 fps faster.
This bullet does not have an extreme high ballistic coefficient (.514) so it may be accurate enough in M1895/93 bores. 29 inch barrels could confidently reach 2,400fps with most suitable powders that have a medium burn rate.
Hornady 7mm 162 grain A-Max
This bullet is related to the ELD-M bullets. Hornday does not recommend it for hunting. However, extreme long range hunters found that it performs exceptionally well at extended ranges where impact velocities were very low as it is frangible and disintegrates slowly leaving a massive wound channel even if the impact velocity is as low as 1,400fps.
It was also found that where muzzle velocities are low, that these are a good fit and perform better than standard cup and core that use the softest lead. The Amax is now is discontinued and replaced by the ELD-M bullet. If I can find some 7mm Amax bullet, this would be an ideal choice for a m94 Carbine and early 1891 Argentine or 1889 Belgium rifle that should not be exposed to more than 45,000 psi or about 41,000 CUP.
I intend to use 178 grain .30 caliber Hornady Amax in a 1891 Argentine with a minty .300 Savage barrel that is only 20 inches long. Because of the high B.C. of the Amax, I will remove the polymer tip to reduce the B.C. and shorten the bullet’s length so that it can be well stabilized by a 12 to 1 twist barrel. Hornady recommends a 10 to 1 twist barrel for the Amax .30 cal bullet.
I use the Berger Stability calculator to determine if a bullet with exceptionally high B.C. can be stabilized. As I experiment with the M1895, I may attempt to run a bullet through it that has an extreme high ballistic coefficient in the future. The Hornady 150 grain ELD-X and the 175 grain ELD-X are very interesting prospects. I may also consider using the 162 grain ELD-M in the M94 for the purpose of hunting. It is very similar to the Amax in construction. The ELD-X is the replacement for the SST line.
The Hornady 7mm 175 grain Interlock Bullet
The heaviest bullet that can be used by the 7mm Mauser barrel is the 175 grain spire point flat based projectile of any manufacturer. Hornady’s 175 grain Interlock is my top choice given the heavy game in my area. Shots would be inside of 200 yards and most likely 50 yards. Given the reports from the field, the 175 grain Hornady Interlock has a solid reputation. It performs almost as well as the premium bullets in this wieght class.
Hornady Interlocks are the third softest 7mm bullets that are a flat based bullet that appear to have been designed for 7x57mm Mauser and reliably expand at impact velocities as low as 2,000 fps. Because of the heavy game in my area, I would choose the 175 grain Hornady Interlock. My knowledge of how Superformance powder performs in the .30-06 using heavy for caliber bullet leads me to believe that the excellent performance in .30-06 in terms of top accuracy combined with top velocities could be duplicated in the 7mm Mauser.
This combination of top velocities and fine accuracy with heavy for caliber bullets when propelled by Superformance powder is observed in 7mm-08 rifles as well. And the 175 grain Interlock will take all game weights from mouse to moose if the shot is well placed. This is why this combination of Superformance and the Hornady 175 grain bullet that can potentially propelled up to 2,544 fps is my top choice.
To reduce the time and money spent developing the best load possible, I would use this combination as an all around hunting load that would also likely prove to be the most accurate in most M1895 Mausers, and the most potent in the wood on all game weights without having to buy an expensive Nosler Partition. It would be ideal for a mixed hunt in the woods. The current price of this bullet can be as low as 38 cents each. Use Ammoseek.com to find a bargain.
The Speer 160 grain BTSP 7mm Bullet
The Speer 160 grain BTSP is one of the softest available. The heavier bullet with a boat tail design has a modest B.C. of .519 that is easily stabilized may be plenty accurate for hunting in the woods. Their BTSP is very soft as it can expand at impact velocities as low as 1,800fps.
It may or may not be the best candidate in the M1895 7mm Mauser in terms of accuracy in most rifles because of the boattail design, yet it may be long enough for the long chamber thoat of these military rifles to be accurate enough for hunting within 300 yards in rifles with a good bore. And it might be accurate enough for precision shots out to 500 yards and beyond. According to the JBM ballistics calculator it bucks a cross wind very well. It could be the best all round bullet to use for hunting and in a counter-sniper role.
It may be surprisingly accurate and is good balance of trajectory and bullet mass that would penetrate well from all angles at the lower muzzle velocities that the M1895 typically produces (2,400fps 24 inch barrel). If we do not have one of the modern powders that produce significantly higher velocities, this bullet or the 154 grain Interlock would be a better choice than the 175 grain bullets if the game where mostly CP2 class game.
It might also be a good choice for the carbine length barrels that produce approximately 250fps less at the muzzle because it expands at impact velocities as low as 1,800fps. The range of the carbine could be extended as the Speer 160 grain BTSP is extremely soft and would cause wider wounding as a result. I might choose this bullet instead of the 175 grain Interlock. And the recoil would be much less.
The Speer 160 grain Hotcor
The Speer 160 grain Hotcor is a flat based bullet, yet it is a tougher bullet that can be used with confidence if velocities at the muzzle are closer to 2,600fps. According to the Hodgen Reloading Center, with Superformance, it is possible to attain up to 2,650fps with this bullet, and it would penetrate well from all angles, and through most big game such as elk.
It would be an excellent choice if the range is not excessive as this bullet needs more impact velocity to expand to its full potential and wound adequately well to take the game quickly. Because it is tougher than the Speer 160 grain BTSP, expansion at all velocities is delayed. It may not be the best choice for lighter deer at close ranges at typical M1895 MV of 2,400fps as the game might run so far as to require tracking it down.
But it does not appear to be the best choice as an all around hunting bullet, yet if a modern powder could be used to increase velocity to around 2,600 fps+, then it would be a good choice for medium to large deer species such as elk. It penetrates well. Because of the flat base, it would be a choice for long range target shooting or as a bullet needed for a counter sniper roll. And because of the flat based, the 160 grain Hotcor at 2,650fps it would likely be plenty accurate out of most M1895 Mausers and can have similar trajectories as a .308 Winchester with a 180 grain Interlock with a MV of 2,700fps made possible by a maximum load of IMR4064. That puts us in good company.
The 7mm Nosler Partition Bullets
I would stick with 150 grain and heavier bullets. The 150 grain Nosler Partition would be ideal for carbines. These bullets will reliably expand at impact velocities as low as 1,800 fps and have a rear section that will hold together despite the heaviest bone that might be encountered. Partitions it will out penetrate similar-weight Hornady Interlock bullets and provide wider wounding. It is the optimal hunting bullet for lower and higher velocity rifle rounds of all calibers.
It is a flat base bullet design, yet these can be difficult to find in stock and the price can approach $1.50 each. However, because I live where dangerous game roam, I will buy a box of fifty 175 grain Nosler Partitions for special occasions. I use 200 grain Nosler Partitions for my .30 caliber rifles including .300 Savage that has a muzzle velocity of almost 2,100fps.
Why Heavy for Caliber Bullets Are Advantageous
Shot placement is the greatest determinant of hunting success, and often untold failure when the shot is badly placed. The hunter is the single most important factor in a successful hunt if the load and type of bullet is appropriate for wieght class and type of game animal. I would rather lose meat damaged by a bullet that is arguably overly powerful and damages meat, than lose game that runs and is lost. I would rather use too much bullet than have to track the animal that suffers from the wound. I would rather use too much bullet that might compensate for a poorly placed shot.
And when hunting in a survival situation brought on by an economic depression or worse, lost meat could mean the loss of lives over time due to inadequate nutrition. I would rather have a bullet that could easily take down any game that might present itself rather than see a family slowly stave to death. IHMO, a soft and heavy for caliber bullet traveling at more than modest velocities is the best choice for Mauser rifles. I would also choose a full length barrel no less than 22 inches, rather than a carbine length barrel (18 inches).
If facing a charging moose or grizzly, I would prefer the 180 grain Nosler Partition in .308 Winchester, yet it is hard to find this level performance in an antique rifle other than 7mm Mauser. The 7mm Mauser with the 175 grain NP (Nosler Partition) would be a close second in performance when compared to this popular .308 Winchester load. Outside of this comparsion, my .30-06 loaded with a 200 grain NP is an example of what would be yet a better load for bear. I will attempt to obtain at least one box of 175 grain Nosler Partitions and always keep them in the magazine behind my primary hunting load. It could then be quickly cycled into the chamber if needed, or used as a follow up shot.
A Time Tested Traditional Cartridge
If I had only one antique rifle, the 7x57mm Mauser would be my primary cartridge for hunting as it is a good combination of flat trajectories with hard hitting heavy for caliber bullets. My antique iron-sighted 8mm Mausers are not as capable beyond 100 yards as they are loaded with a slow moving 195 grain Hornady Interlock, yet it would be the superior defense load against a charging Grizzly. My 6.5x55s are now reserved for extreme long range target shooting, or for medium sized deer hunting. My Swedish Mausers are amazingly accurate, yet they lack the knock down power needed for medium to heavy game that is in my area. The 7mm Mauser, the sweet spot in between that can do it all, well.
The handloads and components discussed in this article are what I believe are solid choices that will optimize the performance of a 7mm Mauser in M1893/95 actions. Not that my short list is best for all, but they are all good choices that I have researched thoroughly. There are other bullets to consider, but I prefer the most conservative approach, so that I would quickly and easily find a good load that suits my purposes given a barrel length of 24″. A full length 29 inch barrel would produce about 150fps higher in velocities when compared to a 24 inch barrel, making the use of modern powders unecessary to achieve the performance level I desire.
Review
For the purpose of review, my top choices are the 154 grain Hornady Interlock, the 160 Speer BTSP, the 175 grain Interlock and the 175 grain Nosler Partition. The latter is a more effective and expensive alternative choice to the 175 grain Interlock, because of the heavy game in my area. If I could afford it, a 160 grain Nosler Partition would do it all exceptionally well for most game or situations that the rifle might be used for. If that is your choice, a good inexpensive companion bullet using the same powder and simular charge weight would be the 160 grain flat base Speer Hotcor or the 160 grain Speer BTSP. For open country, the 154 grain Hornady Interlock is best for deer, and the 160 grain Speer Hotcor for Elk.
For the longest shots, the 160 grain flat based Speer Hotcor (B.C. 0.506) at 2,650 is best because it is stouter, it will penetrate elk deeply at ranges of 300 yards. Of course the 175 grain Interlock shoots flat enough for up to 300 yard shots and will take all game weights, but the 160 grain Speer Hotcor has a flatter trajectory that lends itself better as a counter-sniper round. The Speer 160 grain BTSP (B.C. .519), if accurate in your rifle, would have a slight edge over the Hotcor in its better ability to buck the wind and ability to expand instantly on deer at an extended range of 300 yards.
Given the reports from the field, the 175 grain Hornady Interlock has a solid reputation. It performs almost as well as the premium bullets in this weight class. Of course if hunting dangerous game, then the 160 or 175 grain Nosler Partition is best. I will develop loads using the 175 grain Interlock and then for the 175 grain Nosler Partition, or use starting loads for the 175 grain Partition. At about $1.50 per Nosler Partition bullet, I can only afford one box of 50, whereas the Hornady 175 grains run around 38 cents each and are a good substitute.
The long bearing surface of these heavy bullets that protrude into the long throat of the M1893/95 Mausers makes for a much more accurate shot when 175 grain 7mm bullets are used. The 160 grain 6.5mm round nose is the most accurate out of 6.5×55 Swedish Mausers for the same reason. For myself, IHMO, the 7mm 175 grain Hornady Interlock, or better yet, Nosler Partition will do it all and is a much better choice given the big game here in northwest Montana.
If acceptable accuracy for hunting can be achieved at maximum pressures in most worn or minty M1895 bores then the 175 grain flat based projectile is the best choice. If accurate enough, then the range of our hunt might be extended, or more confidence can be had that the largest big game can be taken desisively with a well placed shot.
Conclusion
With modern propellants or not, an antique 7mm Mauser rifle with a 29 inch barrel can be as potent or relevant as any of the modern chamberings such as the 7mm-08. The 7mm Mauser proved to be a revolutionary cartridge that gave the underdog defenders such as Boer in South Africa who successfully defeated the British Empire in the first Boer War, a significant advantage and victory over the British.
Much like the Boers of South Africa, the Spanish were grossly outnumbered in the Spanish American War of 1898, yet the 7mm Mauser gave them a fighting chance to win with only 750 Spaniards against 15,000 U.S. troops.
The 7×57 Mauser provided the Spanish with devastating fire superiority against U.S. troops using the .30-40 Krag rifle. My great grandfather was there and lived.Using modern powders, and the correct bullets, it has the potential to repeat that success if pitted against roving gangs who would likely be using AR-15s (5.56 NATO), or AKM rifles (7.62×39). While a M1895 7mm Mauser that has been sporterized and has a scope is not as collectable, it would certainly be more valuable in self-defense. It is the most affordable antique Mauser on the market that can do it all and do it well. Pay more for a minty example and you’ll get the best bang for the buck spent. If I could only have one cartridge in an antique Mauser, then the M1895/93 7mm Mauser rifle would be it.
