7.62X51 Reloading

[DennisCA]

I recently purchased in 7.62X51 (A.K.A 7.62 Nato) M1916 Spanish Mauser and I want to reload it. However I am not finding a lot of reloading data out there. Does anyone have any suggestions for load(s) ?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

[joelogic]

You cant find any reloading info on 7.62 NATO? Its probably one of the most reloaded rounds.

Maybe a better question would be what is the best bullet weight for a M1916 Spanish Mauser.

[FLIGHT762]

Your question stopped me in my tracks. By you saying that you want to reload for the 7.62 NATO but there is not a lot of loading data out there and that you are going to reload for a 1916 Spanish Mauser, you need to do some reading.

The 7.62 NATO cartridge has the same outside dimensions as the Commercial 308 Winchester. The NATO round is loaded to a little less pressure than the Commercial 308 Winchester. I'm not going to into the whole 308 VS 7.62 NATO debate since there is a lot of information on the net.

The main concern for you in reloading for you 1916 Spanish Mauser that had been converted to 7.62 NATO by the Spanish for a Guardia Civil rifle. It is it's 1893 Mauser action(even though your rifle is a 1916 it's a 1893 action) . It cannot be used safely with either 7.62 NATO ammo or full power 308 Winchester ammo. The Spanish had a 7.62x51 CETME cartridge that they loaded to lower pressures than the 7.62NATO spec. for their CETME rifles. The lower pressured CETME ammo was the ammo to be used in these Guardia rifles.

There are two Spanish Guardia rifles, the FR7 and FR8. The FR8 is a 1898 Mauser action and can take the pressures of the 7.62 NATO or the 308 Winchester. The FR7 is a Guardia rifle with a 1893 Mauser action.

Your 1916 Spanish Mauser is actually a 1893 Mauser action.


You can reload for your Mauser by using the beginning 308 Winchester loading data as the maximum for your rifle.

I would suggest you search the net on the FR7 and FR8 Guardia rifles. You may have one of the Guardia rifles that is not designated a FR7, but was a 1916 Spanish Mauser short rifler that was converted to 7.62 NATO.

Since you have the weaker Mauser style action, you have to be careful.

[DennisCA]

You cant find any reloading info on 7.62 NATO? Its probably one of the most reloaded rounds.

Maybe a better question would be what is the best bullet weight for a M1916 Spanish Mauser.

Ok - What's the best bullet weight for the M1916 Spanish Mauser (converted to 7.62 Nato)?

[HIGHRPM]

NATO RELOADS

I have a newly acquired FR7 and have done a lot of research on the NATO vs 308 thing. The vast majority of info out there is very clear for the re barreled rifles. The FR8 can handle both 308 and the NATO rounds with no issues. The FR7 built on the weaker actions and the other models should only be used with velocities up to 2700 fps. The problem with NATO is that there are hotter loads out there from different countries, so you just can't throw in any NATO surplus round without checking the velocities . Bullet weight around the 147 to 168 grains work great for a nice NATO load, just watch the powder charge to match the velocity needed and you should be fine. Shoot it but don't stress it.