WTD - LOAD DATA FOR 10.75X68 - NEW ACQUISITION

[buckstix]

WTD - LOAD DATA FOR 10.75X68 - NEW ACQUISITION

Hello all,

I have just received a new acquisition to my Big Bore rifle assortment. I found a Type B Oberndorf Mauser in 10.75x68 caliber. I would like some help from forum members with loading data. There doesn't seem to much around for this cartridge.

I started actively searching for this specific rifle because I wanted a Mauser Sporter in this caliber. The 10.75x68 represents the largest Mauser factory cartridge available in a standard an unaltered action.

My search found this advertisement. (no photos were available)

Up until now, I have never purchased a rifle without seeing photos first. But, after speaking with the seller, I decided to take a chance because he offered a 3-day inspection / return, and said his only computer access was through the local library.

When expalining the rifle's history, the seller said he was the first U.S. owner, and that he had the rifle brought back from Africa with 2 other Rhodesian Game Department rifles that he purchased.

Here are some photos of the rifle taken when I received it.

According to Speed's book on Oberndorf Mausers, the rifle dates to early 1924. It has the early B U proofsand it is all original with all matching numbers, every the trigger matches.

As would be expected from an African Game Department rifle, it shows a life of hard use, but not abuse. I'm not sure how many of its 90 years were spent in the jungle, but based on its looks, I'll bet it was most of them.

As you can see from my photos, the butt-plate is missing and it looks like its been missing for a very long time. All the butt stock edges have been worn "rounded." There were 2 stock repairs, one on each side of the forward part of the forend. These thin forearm sides nearest the tip, either rotted away or were worn away. I don't mind the repair; is not too unsightly, and it just adds to the story of this rifle's hard life. The right side repair can be seen in the 4th picture from the top. It shows a 6" long sliver of replaced wood. The left side has a 5-1/2" similar repair. This was definitely a working gun.

All the metal has a worn brown finish with lots of salt & pepper surface. Its completely coated with old hardened oil that has turned into scale varnish. When received, the 50-1000 meter tangent sight looked like it hadn't been moved from its 50 meter position in over 50 years. It was varnish-glued in place. It took a lot of soaking and torch heat to restore its function. The bore is very dark but does have strong rifling remaining. I'm currently soaking it with bore cleaner and scrubbing it daily. I'm expecting that Hawk 347g jacketed bullets will shoot just fine.

But, I don't know where to start with loading data, as I find none available. I'd like to start in the 1700fps range and work my way up. Even at that low starting velocity, I'm expecting the under 8 pound rifle to kick quite a bit. Recoil calculations indicate between 33 - 35 pounds at this level and up to 50+ pounds at full velocity.

So, if any of you would have a suggested starting load, please be so kind as to let me know.

Awaiting your reply.

 

[Wheels]

Got to love those old Mausers. A lot of character in that rifle.

Don't know anything about reloading so I may show my ignorance here......but why don't you just use 404j reloading info and start around 1700 fps?

 

[buckstix]

Hello Wheels,

The 404 Jeffery cartridge is both longer, and larger in diameter. Using that data would be "guessing" and I'd prefer to see if anyone has data already developed.

 

[sestoppelman]

According to Cartridges of the World, a place to start might be IMR3031 with that bullet. It shows 59 grs for 2250fps, which is probably above where you should start. Nice find BTW.

 

[buckstix]

Hello sestoppelman,

I have seen the COTW data, and you are correct, that's higher velocity than I care to start with. Somewhere in the 1700 fps - 1800 fps range
is where I'd like to be.

 

[sestoppelman]

Hello sestoppelman,

I have seen the COTW data, and you are correct, that's higher velocity than I care to start with. Somewhere in the 1700 fps - 1800 fps range
is where I'd like to be.

Here is some load info from RIFLE magazine from 1991 number 134 you may find helpful. You can probably find this issue on line somewhere.

 

[Wheels]

Hello Wheels,

The 404 Jeffery cartridge is both longer, and larger in diameter. Using that data would be "guessing" and I'd prefer to see if anyone has data already developed.

I figured I was showing my ignorance.....not the first time......not the last. Enjoy the process of working up the loads. Definitely a neat rifle. If they could only talk!

 

[buckstix]

Hello sestoppelman,

Thanks very much for the Rifle magazine data. I have many of these old back issues, and I'm hoping to still have this one.

I'll let you know how the shooting goes later this week.

 

[PaulT]

WOW, what a beauty ! Congrats.

Wish I could look that good after 90 years of hard work !!

My local gunshop keep has an FN in the same chambering but nowhere near as much character and history as yours.

None of my business, as it is your rifle, but if it were mine i'd be happy to hunt with it in the stock that it currently wears.
Tons of history and character there for sure.

Don't know what you paid for it but that is a rifle well worth having.

Have fun with it, then pass it on to your kids for another 40 years of use !!!

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[buckstix]

Hello Paul T,

As you may have seen in some of my prior postings, I love rifles with history and stories to tell.

Sometimes, like this rifle, there is little written history, only the story told by its character as evidenced by its many well worn features.

One can only conjecture; like the rear sight being glued in place at the 50 meter setting with years and years of dried oil. Likely most of the rifle's work was done at close range, with no need to change its elevation.

And the hardened oil itself, having turned to varnish, coating the entire rifle, showing that its user protected it from the harsh environment on a regular bases.

Or the very worn checkering of the grip & forend, which is now nearly imperceptible, being only thin, dark, crossing lines, under the aged finish. Only the user's constant handling over many years, his hands rubbing away the wood's surface, tells the story of its continued use.

Many have said; "If these rifles could only talk." Well, sometimes they do, you just have to listen very closely.

 

[Spooksar]

Load Data witch is a part of Wofle publishing has data for it, but you have to be a member. PM me your email address and what powder you want to use and I'll send you some data.

 

[buckstix]

Hello Spooksar,

I joined Load Data and I now have that source for reference. I'm still waiting for a reply from Accurate Arms for a "reduced" load with the 347g bullet. I'd lake to start "recoil-modest" for starters.

 

[Diamondhitch]

No guarantees for any reload data here but Quickload recommends the following powders/charges to generate 1700fps and all predict a chamber pressure around 21-22000psi with the exception of Accurate 3100 which is below 20000psi. Max chamber pressure listed is 47862psi.
These were generated with the Hawk 350gr .035 bullet, The 347gr was not listed.

Vihtavouri (for whatever reason a lot of vihtavouri powders were suggested for this cartridge)
N 165 65.2gr
N 160 62.0gr
N 560 65gr

RL22 64.4gr
Win supreme 780 65.2gr
H4831SC 63.2gr
IMR 7828SSC 64.8gr
Accurate 3100 66.1gr

 

[buckstix]

Hello Diamondhitch,

I've never used "Quick Load", do you have any experience with loading and shooting with data from it?

 

[Diamondhitch]

Hello Diamondhitch,

I've never used "Quick Load", do you have any experience with loading and shooting with data from it?

Plenty, it is regarded as the best reloading software. You can come up with loads for anything from wildcats to conventional cartridges with almost every bullet and powder known to man. Max loads should be used with caution as with any reloading. Generally a reduced load shot over the chronograph verifies data and quickload is amazingly close every time I have tried it. Depeding on a few variables of your particular rifle, bbl length, bullet jump to the lands etc the data can be fine tuned to amazing accuracy for your particular weapon.

 

[Rob404]

FYI should you want to remove and save the original stock,,there is a guy on Mauser Central who could make you a Duplicate of that stock,,or even something a little different

 

[buckstix]

Hello Diamondhitch,

Thanks for the info. I'll be testing some loads this weekend and I'll let you know how it does.

Hello Rob44,

Thanks for your reply. I'll likely use the rifle with its original stock. I like to live vicariously through the character of the well used rifle, imagining what it was like to control the game in Rhodesia.

 

[Andre N]

Hello Buckstix
I am the proud owner of an FN supreme in 10.75x68, also a rifle with a lot of history. Mine is a working rifle, being dragged through the bush after the hairys and scaries almost every day.

Initially I had to experiment with quite a few loads to hit the sweet spot on my rifle, but after a few bruised shoulders, I managed to get 2 loads that I swear by. Both use bullets you may find in the States, but be aware that I only use South African propellants. Please use a converting table to convert into a propellant you might be able to use.

First load; 62gr of Somchem S335 behind a 400gr Hornady DGX. I get about 2100FPS out of this load. It is very accurate as well!
Second load; 63gr of Somchem S335 behind a Impala 320gr Monolithic solid. This reaches 2350FPS and to crown it all, prints only 10mm higher than the softs at 50m!

To tame the recoil, I used a shotgun slip on recoil pad on the range and , as my rifle is a working tool, fitted a solid pad later on. I can now shoot 3 aimed shots at 30m, 20m and 10m in less than 10 seconds. And hit the bull each time.

Good luck with your rifle, and enjoy her fully!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful rifle Buckstix. Cartridges produces only RWS.
Witold

 

[buckstix]

Hello Andre N and Witold,

Thanks for your reply.

I have been loading AA5744 with good results. I use 43.0 g AA5744 behind a 350g Hwk bullet for 1900 fps. Its a fun load with not too much recoil in both my 8 pound Mauser and my 7-3/8 pound Haenal. I don't care to go with a heavier load since I'll only be punching paper animals here in the States.

If I get to Africa, I'll speed up the load.