Picked up a nice 1957 Spanish FR8, sharp lands, headspace checked and is perfect so it's time to reload. Anyone have a pet load they use. I currently load for my rem 700 and M14 using IVI brass, BR2 primers, Varget and topped off with 168gr honady match which works great - I only punch holes in paper.
Just seeing if anyone has suggestions that work for them - I thank you in advance
Griffin
As mentioned, the FR7 was converted to shoot the 7.62mm CETME round. The FR7 was made on converted 7x57 barreled actions.
These actions are Model 93 actions and made to handle around 45,000 psi pressures.
A lot of 7.62 Nato ammo is loaded into that range. NOT ALL OF IT. Civilian 308Win, is around 10,000 psi hotter.
The CETME cartridge has exactly the same dimensions as the 308 Win/7.62 Nato.
The CETME case is loaded with a fast, flake powder and a lead and plastic core 112 grain boat tail bullet that is the same length and diameter as a FMJ 7.62, 150 grain bullet.
Back in 1970, there were a lot of beautiful little carbines on the market. They looked like the M93 Spanish Carbines to a T. The stocks and barrels were brand new and the pawn shop on Hastings street I bought the rifle in, had them listed as 308Win. They sold for the princely sum of $60 each. Considering the wages back then, that would be around $750 now.
Now, not being overly bright and not being able to find any information on the rifles, I threw caution to the wind and bought a couple of boxes of Dominion 165 grain 308Win cartridges.
The first 20 went downrange without a hitch. With that 18 inch bbl and the light stock wood, the recoil was about the same as a Model 600 Rem in the same caliber. In other words, brutal.
Now, at round 28, I noticed the bolt a bit hard to lift. I thought, "just dirty." Understand, the FR7 has had a gas port drilled into the receiver on the left side. This was my saving grace. Round 29, blew a primer. Most but not all of the bits and gas went out the port.
OK, time to have a closer look. Much more was happening than just dirt in the chamber area.
The receiver lug ways had been set back about .035 inches.
The bolt was fine, there was no provision for a third locking lug, like the 98, so the lug ways started to move back.
This could easily have ended up in a KABOOM.
I have never been able to find a really clean FR8, so I don't have one. I do have an extremely clean FR7. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to purchase several thousand CETME bullets and the powder that was salvaged from the cases. The cases, other than a few boxes included in the sale, were scrapped by the seller.
I shoot these bullets, exclusively in the FR7, with commercial 308Win cases/primers, with the surplus powder that came with them. This powder, is very fast and shouldn't be used with heavier bullets.
Another fellow I know, shoots 7.62 Nato exclusively out of his FR7. He read an article on a US site that insists the rifles can handle the 7.62Nato rounds safely and so far his rifle is fine. Recently, Tradex had some M95 mausers that were converted to 7.62 Nato and are so stamped on the rear receiver bridge. IIRC, they are from Chili.
It's your rifle, your choice. I chose not to buy one of the converted Model 95s. Once bitten twice shy. I did by one of the Steyr M98s in both 7x57 and 7.62Nato though. Well done conversion as well.
