What to do with a 7.65 Argentine?

[D5CAV]

I have a nice sporterized 1909 Argentine Mauser which is chambered in it's original 7.65x53mm Argentine Mauser caliber. It's my only rifle in 7.65 Argentine and I don't feel like stocking up on cases of ammo for it.

I don't have much in the rifle -- maybe a few hundred. I'm thinking about getting it rechambered in something more useful such as .308 Win. Given the length of the action & magazine (for the 7.65 Argentine), it should be about right for a .308 Win.

Any issues here? The 7.65 Argentine has a slightly larger rim diameter than the .308 Win and the bullet is more like a .303 cal vs. a .30 cal. Does this mean I need a new bolt and barrel?

If all I need is to rechamber the rifle, then it's a no-brainer. If I need to get a new bolt and barrel, it's probably more money & hassle than the rifle is worth.

[HTRN]

If you have a nice clean sporter, why screw with it? 308's are a dime a dozen.

Me, I'd invest in a set of dies(if you don't already have 'em) and load ammo.


HTRN

[mekender]

If you have a nice clean sporter, why screw with it? 308's are a dime a dozen.

Me, I'd invest in a set of dies(if you don't already have 'em) and load ammo.


HTRN

+1

[workinwifdakids]

Sporter? Ewww!

My idea is, go to Numrich's page on the Argentine, and restore it to its Gaucho status!

[HTRN]

Gah, hell no.

If it's nicely done, why the hell would you want to change it back? It won't be worth anything compared to an unmolested rifle, and honestly, what does it really do to improve it?


HTRN

[D5CAV]

Sporter? Ewww!

My idea is, go to Numrich's page on the Argentine, and restore it to its Gaucho status!

I checked the link for spare parts (not to restore it). They are all sold out!

[D5CAV]

If you have a nice clean sporter, why screw with it? 308's are a dime a dozen.

Me, I'd invest in a set of dies(if you don't already have 'em) and load ammo.


HTRN

HTRN, I was hoping you would give me some pointers! I'm off by .003" on the rim and .003" on the bullet diameter going from 7.62mm to 7.65mm.

.308 Win may be a dime a dozen, but I only have one .308 bolt action, and that's a Rem 700 with push feed. My other bolties are .30-06 and larger (mostly Win Mod 70s & a few CZ550s). If I could find a Win Mod 70 CRF with the short action for .308 Win, that would be perfect, but I don't feel like dropping $800 or so for a new one or $1500 for a pre-64 version.

If I'm swapping out bolt & barrel, then I'm into the rifle for $800 or so anyway, so I'm better off just buying a new Win Mod 70 CRF.

Yes, it is a very nice sporter job. Nice fiddleback walnut stock and high gloss, deep blue finish on barrel and action. If I have to change the barrel & bolt to make it a .308 Win, then I will keep it in 7.65 Argentine.

[Precision]

Just because you own a gun, doesn't mean you HAVE to own CASES of ammo.

I would keep the gun as is, buy a case or two and appropriate widgets for reloading and just shoot it on special occasions. You know like the (invitation only) firing squad for Harry Reid.

[Fivetoes]

Put it back in your safe until you have the time and money. The '09 is the basis for a very nice custom gun some day.

[DwightG]

HTRN, I was hoping you would give me some pointers! I'm off by .003" on the rim and .003" on the bullet diameter going from 7.62mm to 7.65mm.

+ another 1 on leaving it 7.65.

However, FWIW, 7.62 to 7.65 is only .0012". I've seen that much variation in military barrels of the same caliber. As for the rim difference, I haven't looked it up in a book but .003 is within manufacturing tolerance for that sort of thing. If you found that in a book, I strongly suspect it's because whoever wrote the book measured something to get the diameter. All the Mauser cartridges of that era pretty much had the same head diameter. In any event, .003" really doesn't count in that area with a normal bolt unless the bolt face is abnormally tight and creates interference (highly unlikely). I'll bet a .308 case will pop right in to the bolt face.