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Post by Étienne on Mar 15, 2015 12:52:45 GMT -5
Liberty Tree Collectors has some MAS type rifle ammunition for sale, 40 rounds (two boxes) for $25.00. From the photos, it appears to be 1948 French manufacture (the ammo shown is headstamped "TE" which was manufactured by "Cartoucherie de Toulouse" of Toulouse, France). I haven't asked (yet), but it's likely corrosive, and perhaps even Berdan primed, so it's hard to reload. They also have some PPU ammo for sale at $39.00 for 40 rounds, which isn't the best price around (it's typically about $16.00 for 20 rounds) but PPU is hard to find right now and most online dealers are out or they have extremely jacked up the price. www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=3907 |
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Post by Étienne on Mar 16, 2015 15:46:21 GMT -5
FYI part deux: shipping from them isn't cheap ($20), but up to four boxes of 20 rounds can be shipped for that price.
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Post by lew on Mar 17, 2015 9:02:55 GMT -5
It is guaranteed to be Berdan-primed and highly corrosive. In fact, I've never shot ammo that was as corrosive after firing as French '50's and '70's surplus. Be sure to clean immediately after shooting. Excellent accuracy and functioning, though. This ammo is best suited for a collector, in my opinion.
Prvi ammo is produced seasonally (Fall, I think), so, providing one can wait, the prices will be more reasonable when it is released. Plus, the brass is great for reloading. Thankfully, all of my MAS semi-autos shoot it without slam fires, but even that issue is not difficult to rectify.
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Post by Étienne on Mar 17, 2015 9:14:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice...I was just going to assume that it is corrosive (I messed up a nice Russian rifle about 20 years ago when I fired corrosive ammo and neglected to immediately clean it, so it's something I definitely do now!) and berdan primed.
I was getting too impatient to get some PPU and fire my rifle, so I just bit the bullet (no pun intended) and bought several boxes of the original stuff. I've owned this MAS36 rifle since 1995 and have never fired it!
I didn't realize PPU was seasonally produced...I was wondering why I've had a hard time finding it in certain calibers (7x57mm also). I too have found it to be good brass for reloading (.303 and .30-06 at least).
Thanks!
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Post by lew on Mar 17, 2015 16:00:28 GMT -5
'95?! What's wrong with you?!  Yeah, if you need ammo now, this will tide you over. Happy shootin'. |
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Post by Étienne on Mar 20, 2015 19:38:18 GMT -5
Ha...thanks! I know, I can't believe I haven't shot the thing...well, ever! In the mid-1990s, I bought a lot of military surplus guns, as they were still cheap, and never got around to shooting them all. But, I'm trying to make up for it now! I just finally finished putting together a 1918-dated M1903 Springfield I bought in 1996 as a pile of parts, and it's pretty sweet. So, I guess the MAS36 is next on the firing line.
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Post by lew on Mar 21, 2015 16:15:42 GMT -5
I found the -36 and -36/51 to be very nice shooting rifles. If I was forced to take a bolt action rifle into battle, it would be the -36, hands down.
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Post by Étienne on Mar 22, 2015 9:29:10 GMT -5
Interesting...a lot of people [online] knock the MAS36 as being clumsy and too heavy. Since I haven't yet fired it, I can't make any judgments. I'm interested in how the round performs compared to its contemporaries (.30-06, 7.92 German, .303, 7.62 Russian, etc.). I may have to start reloading it (I guess I should have waited for the PPU ammunition!), as I've started making lower-powered rounds for my older rifles so as not to beat up on them anymore than they already have in their former lives.
I have several US military bolt action rifles, and I've found the Krag and the M-1903 to be pretty nice handling rifles. Mausers and Enfield SMLEs are nice handling as well. Can't wait to check out and compare the MAS. It seems like it might be more comparable to the P1914/M1917 Enfield, or perhaps it's just that the bolt handle looks similar!
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Post by lew on Mar 22, 2015 21:01:45 GMT -5
7.5x54mm M24/29 is basically equivalent to 7.62 NATO, which is basically equivalent to .30-06, 7.92x57, etc... Inside of realistic rifle ranges, the recipient wouldn't be able to tell the difference. They all shoot a spitzer- flat base or boat tail- bullet between 139 and 174 grains at velocities between 2500 and 2900 fps.
The actions on those old rifles are ridiculously strong, especially anything Mauser-based and the M91/30. The M1917 (Mauser-derived) has been used for years for all sorts of hardcore cartridge conversions. The Arisaka is purported to be the strongest bolt action out there. No need to baby providing it's in operable condition. I have a set of Lee dies in 7.5, but I haven't reloaded anything (or done much shooting) for a couple years. Still, I'm saving all that Prvi brass. 7.5 data should be out there, but, lieu of that, .308 Winchester minimum loads can be used as a starting point. I prefer IMR 4895 for all ~.30 cal. cartridges. The problem with 7.5 French is finding a bullet that has a length and ogive profile of the original French bullet. 147/150 grain .30 cal. bullets are a little short in both departments, but will usually work fine.
The Mle. 36 is pretty well balanced and compact. The action is short, so a decent-length barrel can be fit in shorter overall length. I can work the bolt faster than a Lee Enfield.
One can criticize the French for their shit-show of a government, but their weapons and fighting forces have been first rate.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 3, 2015 16:28:54 GMT -5
I believe I got my 7.5 from Palmetto State Armory or Ammo To Go, or AIM Surplus. It was like $15.00 a box. Looks like everyone is out of stock again...
Craig
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