Commercial Obendorf Mauser rifle identification and caliber...

[mike ford]

Eric,
Now I'm confused. The rim diameter of 8x42R m88 (Mauser) is about .520", rim diameter of 8x42R Sch.Buschen is about .587", and of 8.15x46R norm. is about .483". Can you post a photo of the chambercast? Sometimes it is hard to tell where the caseneck stops and the bullet leade starts with a chambercast. This is especially so where a "stopring"bullet may be used.
Mike

[Tagnar]

Bleh - typing error. 8x46R not 8x42R. Initial fireforming of the resized \ trimmed \ and turned .32 special cases still left a dimple at the top of the case neck on 5 of 12 cases (are 30\30 cases more reliable as a starting point?)... have a .324 \ 160gr lee mould and .318 sizing die on the way. Hope to get it out to the range in the next week or two.

[mike ford]

Tagnar,
You can use 32 Spec cases (32-40, 38-55 also), but I always use 30-30, I have about 10 gals of 30-30 and the others are hard to come by. If the dimple is a dimple and not a bulge, you don't have a real problem. If it's a bulge you might have a fault in the chamber. Dimples are often caused by too much lube in sizing, sometimes by necking down to a much smaller caliber. What you are necking to is pretty close to the original, so that shouldn't be it. If it's caused by lube, you should see it before fireforming, which should iron it out. I've heard of this happening because of gas flowing back due to a too light fireforming load.I've never seen it happen, but all things are possible. Maybe changing to 30-30 will square it away.BTW if i'ts 8x46R, the name of the cartridge is 8.15x46R.
Mike

[sharps4590]

Tagnar, where did you find that .318 die? I couldn't find one and ended up using my bullets as cast at .320-.321. It's working fine at those diameters but I would like to try them at .318.

I've been working with the 8.15 X 46R just a short time and I like it quite a lot so far, great woods walking, rock killin', plinking cartridge. I have made all my brass from 30 WCF and after the first 10 I stopped annealing the cases. I haven't lost one yet.

[Tagnar]

With regard to the .318 die - I purchased it on ebay... although mid-south and midway both list the die on their site... it was listed as out of stock though. I tried that die and swedging bullets, but they didn't perform well in the rifle. I then found Montana Bullet works and ordered 200 rounds (don't have the part number handy - but will post later this week) of a hard lead 8mm gas checked bullet - and with a full case of Paradox rifle powder - I got 850fps and 1" groups at 100 yards with the rifle.

[Tagnar]

So a conclusion to the story... Based on the discussions above - and additional research at the Cody museum in Montana (which I visited this past summer - which has a great set of 20 different examples of the evolution of the Mauser action in their basement). My rifle is indeed an M71, that was sent back in the late 1890's sleeved and rechambered in 8.15x46R, and the bolt roller added by Mauser, it was then reproofed and returned to it's owner. As you can see from the pictures below - it was updated from the 1871 - 1883 M71 format (without the support ring) to the 1883 format for the M71 rifle.

Mauser 1871 - 1883.jpgMauser 1871 - 1883 tags.jpg

In addition to the research above, about a year ago I was browsing through miscellaneous sights and diopters on ebay and stumbled across a 3" square based diopter for $100... I purchased it immediately - and upon arrival it fit perfectly... (Could not believe my luck...). I will post pictures of the Diopter and reunited rifle later this week.

[mike ford]

Tagnar,
In my opinion. your rifle is not a Model 1871, rather it is a shortened version of the Model 1871 intended for cartridges shorter than the 11.16X60R Mauser. Such actions were made shorter when manufactured, not modified later, and were used as both target and hunting( fitted with appropriate stock/sights)rifles marked by Mauser and other makers. Simplified versions of this action was used in many similar rifles, marketed by a variety of different shops. As always, I may be wrong.
Mike

[Diz]

Tagnar,

I am a little late to this party but here is the DMW drawing I have for an 8x42R in case anyone is interested.

Thanks, Diz8x42R0001.jpg

[Tagnar]

It may have been made for a shorter cartridge - although the action appears full length. It was definitely sleeved and re-chambered in the 1890's (the crown on the barrel shows the obvious sleeve ring) and reproofed by Obendorf Mauser at that time (it bears both the pre 1884 and post 1894 proof marks). The caliber it is in did not exist in the 1880's. The Load ring on the bolt was also added at that time as it did not exist prior to 1883. If someone has the action travel length for the 1871 action I can measure it and determine if it's correct or not... (I think it is correct). The serial number is also indicative of an early production rifle as the numbers on the commercial actions were consecutive, and this one is 299.