ammo for broomhandle

[IMshooter]

Guys,

I could use your help locating a supply of 7.63x25, or .30 Mauser, ammo for my broomhandle.  This particular gun is likely over 100 years old and I do not plan to shoot it very much.  If need be I am willing to reload.  But the prices I am seeing run about $30 per box of 50 and at that price I will reload!

Any suggestions for decently priced factory .30 Mauser shells?  Thanks.

Mark

[Mikey]

Mark:  I would first check with Ron Reed, one of our sponsors.  Ron has about 13 or 14 different loadins for that cartridge and can most certainly recommend one safe enough for that old broomhandle.  In addition, I am certain that other of our sponsors sell the 30 Mauser cartridge made by Fiocchi.  In addition, newly made 7.62x25mm ammo is available from Sellier and Bellot.  It is made to factory specs for the 7.62x25mm cartridge.  Do not purchase any mil-surp ammo for that broomhandle - some of that stuff is dangerous in even newer guns.  HTH.  Mikey.

[IMshooter]

I looked at that Sellier & Bellot ammo, but it says 7.62x25 Tokarov.  Isn't that too hot for the old Mauser?  Thanks.

Mark

[GRIMJIM]

I just picked a box up from sportsmans guide, 7.63 mauser. $30.00 for a box plus shipping. Kind of pricey but I had a hard time finding any around me.

[Mikey]

IMShooter:  The 7.62x25mm and the 30 Mauser are near dimentionally identical and interchangeable.  The 30 mauser shot a 88 gn 308 dia bullet at 1400'/sec; the 7.62x25mm shoots a 86 gn 308 dai bullet at 1390'/sec.  The ammo to avoid is mil-spec Austrian, Chech or Chinese. 

The S&B ammo is about $10/box of 50.  Re: your pistol - if you have not already done so I would suggest a new set of springs from Wolff Springs in Pennsylvania.  I believe a www and a .com will getcha there.  Many of the older 1896 Mauser pistols that have been 'refurbished' were simply cleaned up and re-sprung.  Some were rebarrelled or rebored from 7.62 to 9mm and then re-sprung. 

The S&B ammo is designed for the Tokarev.  Both the Tok and the Mauser were in use at the same time.  Yes, the 1896 design is over 100 yrs old but I believe those pistols were made into the 1930s.  If yours is a 4" Bolo Mauser it means it was made for the Bolshevik Government and may indeed be an oldie.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Mikey]

Grimjim: sorry, the last post was for you.  Mikey.

[IMshooter]

My old mauser is a "parts gun" of mismatched serial numbers.  But the barrel extension has a s/n of 6xx, and the frame has a s/n of 58,xxx.  My guess is the top half was made in 1897 and the bottom half in 1905.

The springs have been replaced, barrel re-liined, and overall it is a tight piece with no visible problems.  About 15 years ago I bought the gun, which was in poor condition, as a project.  Now that it is done I'll have post some photos of how it turned out.  Of course, I need to shot it as well!

Do you really think the new manufactured S&B 7.62x25 Tokarev ammo will be safe?

[Mikey]

IMshooter:  Your's sounds like a very interesting pistol.  1896 Mausers, as well as the P-08 Lugers, were all handfitted.  Your's is a shooter, which is great - too many wind up being safe queens or wall hangers.  The S&B ammo would be my choice for use in that pistol.  I am certain that if you compare a box of the Fiochhi and a box of the S&B you will not notice the difference.  Shoot and have fun.  Mikey. 

[IMshooter]

I am going to try to attach some photos of my completed Mauser.  About 15 years ago I bought the gun as a non-shooting junker, and other than having a gunsmith reline the bore, have done all the repair and refinishing myself.  Sometimes I would get bored with the project and put it away for a couple of years or so.  My goal was to restore the gun and shoulder stock to better than original condition.  The grips are made of desert ironwood and the finish is rust blued.  The stock is Chinese.  Enjoy the photos!

[GRIMJIM]

Sweet, real nice job. I bet you can't wait to shoot it. I've had mine for over a year now and just got a box of ammo the other day, now all I need is time to go to the range.

[Mikey]

Now that's a nice looking setup you have there.  I would stock up on S&B, get a whole bunch of stripper clips, and have a ball.  Mikey.

[IMshooter]

I checked with Ron Reed about using Sellier and Bellot 7.62x25 Tokarov ammo in the broomhandle and he gave a firm, "NO!"

It has been very interesting to read the various web sites about using tokarov ammo in broomhandles.  Some people say there is no difference, and some people say to just stay away from the military surplus tokarov ammo.

I think it would be useful if someone were to do some chronograph testing of all the various 7.62x25 Tokarov and .30 Mauser ammos which are currently available.  Of course, one would want to do the testing with something expendable such as a CZ-52!  Maybe I can use this excuse to sneak another handgun past the wife!

[GRIMJIM]

I never did like using ammo that was pretty close. Original caliber only for me.

[WILDCATT]

I had a russian friend who was in ww2 in russian army he never heard of 7.62 v 25 when asked what he used in his ppsh41 he said 30 mauser go from that.I never heard of 7.62 x25 untill the new ammo came out.russians liked to keep it simple since they used broomhandles/torks/and ppsh41/43 why would they have several different cart??look at the specs they ar within manufact tolorances.

[toysoldier]

I have a 4" broomhandle, acquired some time ago surplus for $100, probably form Century Arms when I had an FFL. I've shot some Soviet surplus through it, without apparent harm. However, the Lee reloading manual shows loads for the Mauser at 24400 to 25500 CUP, and the Tokarev at 40400 to 41800 CUP. That's a BIG difference! I have no idea if factory loads show a similar pressure difference. I won't be shooting any more of the Tokarev stuff until I can pull the bullets and reload.