I inherited a Model 1893 Spanish 7x57 MM Mauser from my Grandpa. It shoots great. Are they any good?

Question

I won't sell it as it's from my Grandpa.
He gave it the name "Old Cougar" 40 years ago.
And it is said he shot over 50 deer with it over the years.
I just don't know much about 7x57 MM Mausers.
Any help is sure appreciated!
Thanks,
John

Answer 1

Sometimes the very best gun you can own is a family heirloom. It may not be the newest, may not be the shineyist, may not be the most expensive...
But it's the one that MEANS something to you.
It's the one with family history.
The one with a proven track-record. (50 deer! Wow!)
The one you got from someone you love.
The one that will always remind you of that someone.
The one that you can give your grandkid someday and tell,
"This old rifle, designed by Paul Mauser, in the waning days of the 1800's has harvested 100 deer, and is still going strong."

That's the BEST kind of gun, Period.

The 1893 Mauser, is a fine weapon, and the 7X57 cartridge is going strong after 100 + years. They are Very good rifles.
The later developments to the basic Mauser design were primariarly to accomidate the later 8mm cartridge, and to simplify manufacture. Mauser action rifles, and rifles incorporating Mauser's designs, are still being made, and will continue to be for the forseable future. Most modern bolt actions are direct decendants of your fine old rifle.

Cherish it.

Answer 2

It's my favorite deer cartridge, and I keep about a dozen different deer rifles in different calibers on hand. The model 93 isn't the strongest in the world, so you don't want to push the loads very hot, but it's a peach. The Spanish troops in Cuba gave the Americans a ton of trouble with the model 93 in the Spanish-American War, and the US responded with the development of the '03 Springfield and the 30-06 cartridge, for which they had to pay the Mauser brothers royalties. The British didn't like being on the receiving end of the 7x57 in the Boer wars, either, as they were picked off from long range that they couldn't match with their SMLE.

Answer 3

The 7x57 Mauser is a good old cartridge. The current offerings from the major American ammunition companies are perfectly suited for deer-sized game, and are loaded conservatively, out of deference to the large volumes of antique military rifles chambered for the cartridge that are still floating around.

The 7x57 Mauser can make an excellent candidate for judicious handloading, using cast-lead bullets (owing to the considerable variability in bore diameters in old military rifles.) The caveat here being that one should not load maximum loads for the relatively weak 1893 Mauser action.

Answer 4

Congratulations! Old Cougar is chambered in an excellent cartridge suitable for any North American deer. Now to answer your question, "Are they any good?" Would but you could ask Mr. Teddy Roosevelt. He'd tell you just how good the 7x57 Spanish Mauser is. Any of the Rough Riders could tell you. They went up against this excellent cartridge during the Spanish-American War and suffered heavy losses because it is super accurate, powerful (for its day) and the Mauser action is ultra-reliable. Like I said, you got a good, all-around rifle.

Best.

H

Answer 5

Congrats, thats a quality rifle. I've owned a WWI era Mauser and can vouch for their quality.