Israeli Mauser 7.62 (.308) Twist rate and bullet weight

[Gert Odendaal]

Good day to all members.

Please be so kind as to assist me . I need to get info regarding the following issue. Will the owners of a Israeli Mauser 7.62 (.308) military stepped barrel please provide me with their Mauser `s twist rate as measured by a gunsmith or by yourself ( not theoretical data)...and the bullet weight and profile you currently shoot now.

It really would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Gert

 

[JimP]

Most 7.62's are going to have a 1:12 rate of twist. If you want to figure it out yourself it is easily done.

You need a good cleaning rod with a rotating handle and a jag with a fairly tight fitting patch. Utilize a rod guide if you are accessing the barrel through the breech or a muzzle guide if you are going to come in from the muzzle end. Make sure the rod rotates freely in the handle under load. Start the patch into the barrel for a few inches and then stop. Put a piece of tape at the back of the rod by the handle (like a flag) or mark the rod in some way. Measure how much of the rod is still protruding from the rod guide. You can either measure from the rod guide or muzzle guide back to the flag or to a spot on the handle. Next, continue to push the rod in until the mark or tape flag has made one complete revolution. Re-measure the amount of rod that is left sticking out of the barrel. Use the same reference marks as you did on the first measurement. Next, subtract this measurement from the first measurement. This number is the twist rate. For example, if the rod has 24 inches remaining at the start and 16 inches remain after making one revolution, you have 8 inches of travel, thus a 1:8 twist barrel.

Once you have determined the actual rate of twist then you can decide if it will stabilize a heaver bullet that is standard for the cartridge. Most 7.62 shoot up to a 168 grain bullet fine but accuracy falls off if you go any higher.

If you just purchased this rifle I would have a competent gunsmith check it out if you haven't already.

 

[Rob404]

1-8 is pretty much on the money as well as 165-68 grain bullets 308 seem to perform great with those bullets,

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Thank you JimP
I already did measure the twist, get 1:14 twist in this barrel, it does not group with 165 gn -180gn bullets..it groups excellently with 145 gn FMJ military rounds...and with 150 gn PMP at a reduced load at 2100 f/s ...this is why I think this barrel is a 1:14 twist....

 

[Rob404]

I thought 1-14 twist seemed a little weird but I just googled a forum that talks about Israilie 308s and they mention 1-14 as well as 1-10 and 1-12 as well and they make mention of light bullets , live and learn

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Rob44
Please send me a link of that source regarding the 1:14 twist for the Israeli Mauser?
Gert

 

[Rob404]

Rob44
Please send me a link of that source regarding the 1:14 twist for the Israeli Mauser?
Gert

Heres where I found the info,,, www.sniper forums.com
look for israilie Mausers,,,Google has some good info if you search twist rates for your rifle.
I would suppose the twist rate depended on who supplied the barrels

 

[sestoppelman]

I remember some time ago talking to one of the best shooters in our state, he was Palma team Captain for a time actually. He said the Palma rifles were being built with something like the 1-14 twist specifically for the Palma bullet which was if I recall, 155grs. Most common in the .308 is either 1-10 or 1-12 as already mentioned. Springfield Armory uses 1-11 in their basic service model M1A rifles, but their Douglas Super Match bbls are 1-10 usually, mine is. My Remington PSS was 1-12 and my custom M40 is 1-10. I have long desired one of those Israeli Mausers but most are beaters and if half decent go for more dough than I think they are worth. Is yours the FN purpose built rifle or one of the re-arsenaled guns?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Rob44
The web page do not want to open, can you have a look at the page again and give me the link again?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I remember some time ago talking to one of the best shooters in our state, he was Palma team Captain for a time actually. He said the Palma rifles were being built with something like the 1-14 twist specifically for the Palma bullet which was if I recall, 155grs. Most common in the .308 is either 1-10 or 1-12 as already mentioned. Springfield Armory uses 1-11 in their basic service model M1A rifles, but their Douglas Super Match bbls are 1-10 usually, mine is. My Remington PSS was 1-12 and my custom M40 is 1-10. I have long desired one of those Israeli Mausers but most are beaters and if half decent go for more dough than I think they are worth. Is yours the FN purpose built rifle or one of the re-arsenaled guns?

Setsoppelman
I think it is a designated/purpose build FN military rifle I know the Israeli Mausers rifle...has a history of changes to the original Mausers whom was if `i am correct 8 mm Mausers that was changed/barrels refit to NATO specifications..a lot of these rifles were acquired some of the Balkan countries ...the German marks were removed and the German rifles were used by Israel to build up their military power...ironic...Israel , Jews who were oppressed by the German forces used their enemy`s rifles to build an army...
Here is a photo of it`s original stock and then a sporter stock my son Ruan use ...we do not want to effect changes to the original stock..it is kept in the safe...

 

[sestoppelman]

Nice. If its an FN rifle it will say Fabrique National on the side of the receiver wall. Israeli rifles all had 7.62 across the front receiver ring and original stocks said 7.62 on the bottom rear near the buttplate. Your gun looks to have been modified somewhat to accommodate the scope. The bolt handle has been changed etc. The stock looks more like an M48 stock, especially the handguard-rear sight set up, handguard also shortened, not typical K98. Not trying to beat up on your rifle here just noting what appear to be modifications. Does yours exhibit the things I mention? In addition an FN purpose built Israeli rifle will show the Israeli crest on the front ring along with the 7.62 whereas most of the re-arsenaled guns did not have the crest, just the cal designation. I wonder if what you have is a Mauser that has been re-barreled to .308 Win. Please let us know what you find. Interesting

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Hallo Sest

If this barrel is a 1;14 twist as I suspect it is (remarks previously) it means I will be able to shoot light weight bullets at long distances..120gn-147gn ..so it will fill the gap from small game like a Steenbok/Duiker up to a blesbuck...it really will be great..since I do have a Turkish Mauser 8x57 JS( 150 gn -250 gn)I can use from a black wildebeest up to an eland....then a .375 H&H Magnum( 270 gn-350gn) up 404 Jeffery (400 gn) to a .458 Win Mag Mannlicher Schoenauer(500 gn) for anything that bites and stomps you when you tend to annoy it...
I am covered from 120 gn up to 500 gn bullet selection.....

 

[Rob404]

Rob44
The web page do not want to open, can you have a look at the page again and give me the link again?

Sorry for the late reply OP system update has Messed up my MAC, I just went to google and typed in sniper forum and went right to it, I don't think you can post a question unless you are a member,,But just type in what you want to find out on google and you'll be directed to sites that talk about your topic

 

[ZG47]

The Spanish converted their Model 1916s and 1943s to 7.62x51 with 1-14" twist barrels and the same twist was standard for many 1,000 yard rifles until the 155gr bullets were adopted for competition.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I did received Leopold scope rings and bases , fitted it to the 7.62 Israeli Mauser... I was fortunate to acquired 143 gn PMP bullets and will begin with working up loads that will suite this barrel. I will keep shooting these bullets until I get the pet load for this barrel and keep hunting with these bullets...Is there a Ballistic calculator / quick load program I can access to get some info regarding a load for this rifle ?

 

[Rob404]

I did received Leopold scope rings and bases , fitted it to the 7.62 Israeli Mauser... I was fortunate to acquired 143 gn PMP bullets and will begin with working up loads that will suite this barrel. I will keep shooting these bullets until I get the pet load for this barrel and keep hunting with these bullets...Is there a Ballistic calculator / quick load program I can access to get some info regarding a load for this rifle ?

You Might try hogdonreloading.com then just feed the proper information and it will give you some great results

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Rob44
Thank you kindly...

 

[Rob404]

Rob44
Thank you kindly...

No problem Brother, My shooting addiction takes me on many internet searchs

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Kobus Du Plessis of Impala bullets send me 110 gn and 120 gn Impala bullets to see if the weight will group in the 1:14 rifling twist...this was send to me for free fifteen bullets of each weight ...if it groups he will send me more to work out a load...Kobus Du Plessis service is second to none ...he had send me previously .423 bullets to test in my 404 Jeffery..he even made me 400 gn bullets for the 404 Jeffery but cautioned me that the bullets will be to long...I still have to try the 400 gn Impala bullets..all the other caliber Impala bullets grouped excellently in my rifles...

 

[Rob404]

Good luck with your 308 Mauser Gert let us know of your progress