Varget and the 7.65X53 Argentine Question

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Years ago, when I bought the sporterized Argentine, from my deceased best friend and reloading mentor, included were 20 rounds consisting of Sierra's 180-grain spitzer and 39.0-grains of Varget. I shot all of them on the rifle's first outing and the performance was pretty good. Since then I've only shot the Lee 311-185 with 16-grains of 2400 and 19.0-grains of 4759, again with pretty good performance.

Also included with the rifle was a goodly supply of the Sierra bullet. Today I got the bug to re-try the Varget load but can't find any load data published since the powder was introduced -- Sierra 6th, Hodgdon on-line, Hornady 9th, Speer 14th, Nosler on-line, Barnes on-line, Lyman 50. It's not that I don't trust my friend, but I want to be sure the load is a safe one.

So, anyone have any experience with the 7.65X53, Varget, and a 174 or 180-grain bullet?

Thanks,
Michael
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Sorry never tried Varget in the Argie. But as its unobtanium powder here Ill save what I have for my 65g 223 loads!
 
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462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Another reason for wanting to try Varget is, I have a half-pound left and it's never worked well in any cartridge I've tried it in, including 55-grain .223s.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Lyman #50 lists a start of 39.0 (best load) to 43.5 grain of Varget with 180 Sierra.
Thank you, Ric!!

Sure enough, there it is in big bold letters.

Just another example of why I'm continually be accused of not being able to find stuff. Should have asked my wife, the household finder of stuff, to look for it.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
Treat it as a 308win. Just use mid load levels. Are the bullets 0.308" or are they the correct 0.310"?
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Yup 55g didnt shoot great for me either. But the 65g GK shoot. VERY WELL @ 2900 fps with Varget. I tried in a few calibers and none excited me as well as pet powders found previously. But the 65g 223 is a keeper for me!
Good luck,

CW
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Treat it as a 308win. Just use mid load levels. Are the bullets 0.308" or are they the correct 0.310"?
Thought of that and even perused some data, but the rifle is an 1891 of early C block manufacture and I want to treat the old gal gently. The 39.0-grain load is Lyman's 50th starting load.

Bullets are Sierra .311" flat base 180-grain spitzers.
 

Edward R Southgate

Component Hoarder Extraordiniare
I always use 3031 (41.2 g) with 174 gr RN jacketed bullets . Haven't used cast in the Argentine 1909 I own yet . In an older version I would start in the 36 gr or just a bump above range .
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I also have a 1899 Belgium. The predecessor of the 1891 Argentine you have. Mine was made here in USA about therty five miles from where I am right now. In Norwich CT. It looks almost the same but for the steel shrouded barrel and slightky diff two piece fore stock. its as issued in very good condition with a fine bore. I assume this one didnt see heavy action and It was cared for. Its dark patina dosent suggest non issue, plenty of wear from hands and dings in the stock but zero rust ir corrosion evidence.
I wanna be if the utmost care when shooting and only the lightest lead loads are used.

CW
 

PED1945

Member
An old favorite for my 1891 Argentine 7.65x54 was 21 grains of 2400 behind a Lyman 311299 sized .311. I did not start keeping records of my reloads untill 1964, so there were lots of 7.65 loads before that, usually with HiVel #2 and .311 Sierra 150 grain spitzers.
 

GRMPS

Active Member

Just use your .303 data.​

Any safe load that works well in the .303 British
icon
case will do about the same in the 7.65x53 - at slightly lower pressure since the 7.65 case has a grain or two more capacity. Velocity in the long-barreled 1891 Mauser will be close to the .303 with a 25" barrel.



 

PED1945

Member
In my experience, loads that works in the 303 British and the 7.65x53 will also work in the 7.7x58 Arisaka.
While I have not loaded for the 7.62x54R, those same loads should work subject to the usual cautions about bore and groove diameters.