The 7.65×53mm Argentine was the result of considerable experimentation by Paul Mauser to optimize the bullet diameter for use with the new smokeless propellant introduced as Poudre B in the 1886 pattern 8×50mmR Lebel that started a military rifle ammunition revolution.[3] At the time of its development it was a high-performance smokeless-powder cartridge. Judging by the dimensions of the casing, it was developed from the earlier Patrone 88 adopted into German service.
This cartridge was loaded commercially by many manufacturers in the United States until about 1936.[1]Hornady is the only major U.S. ammunition manufacturer to still produce this cartridge. Sporting ammunition in this caliber is still loaded in Europe.[1]Norma, Prvi Partizan, and Fabricaciones Militares (FM) currently produce 7.65×53mm ammunition.[4] Cases are easily formed from .30-06 brass; just resize and trim. For charging the cartridge, use .303 British load data.
Cartridge dimensions
The 7.65×53mm Argentine has 3.70 ml (57.1 grains H2O) cartridge case capacity.
The exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in bolt-action rifles and machine guns alike, under extreme conditions.
7.65×53mm Argentine maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).
Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 22.2 degrees. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 280 mm (1 in 11.02 in); although 250 mm (1 in 9.84 in) was also used, see below, 4 grooves, Ø lands = 7.65 mm, Ø grooves = 7.92 mm, land width = 4.20 mm and the primer type is large rifle.[2]
According to the official Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives (CIP) rulings the 7.65×53mm Argentine can handle up to 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi) Pmax piezo pressure. In CIP member countries every rifle cartridge combination has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum pressure to certify fit for sale to consumers.
This means that 7.65×53mm Argentine chambered arms in CIP regulated countries are currently (2013) proof tested at 487.50 MPa (70,706 psi) PE piezo pressure.[2]
Rifles chambered for the 7.65×53mm Argentine must be capable of handling long-action length (≤ 3.34 in (84.84 mm) overall length) cartridges.
The American .308 Winchester cartridge is a close ballistic twin of the 7.65×53mm Argentine. The .308 Winchester being a post World War II cartridge developed by Winchester provides similar performance in a short-action length (≤ 2.955 in (75.06 mm) overall length format.
Due to the cartridge case's dimensions, production of 7.65mm brass can be accomplished by reforming .30-06 Springfield cases.[citation needed]
The original 1889 pattern military ball ammunition was introduced in the Mauser Model 1889 and loaded with a 13.65 grams (210.7 gr) round-nosed bullet fired at a muzzle velocity of 650 m/s (2,133 ft/s) with 2,884 J (2,127 ft⋅lbf) muzzle energy.[1]
Following the lead of French and German army commands in developing the spitzer - a pointed-tip - bullet shape, later military ball ammunition was loaded with a 10.00 g (154.3 gr) spitzer bullet fired at a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s (2,723 ft/s) with 3,445 J (2,541 ft⋅lbf) muzzle energy from a 589 mm (23.2 in) long barrel became available. It had a maximum range of 3,700 m (4,046 yd). Reverse engineering the trajectory from the previous sentence indicates a ballistic coefficient (G1 BC) of approximately 0.34.[5]
After that, military ball ammunition loaded with an 11.25 g (173.6 gr) spitzer bullet fired at a muzzle velocity of 725 m/s (2,379 ft/s) with 2,957 J (2,181 ft⋅lbf) muzzle energy from a 589 mm (23.2 in) long barrel became available. Besides a pointed nose this projectile also had a boat tail to further reduce drag. It had a maximum range of 5,000 m (5,468 yd). Reverse engineering the trajectory from the previous sentence indicates a ballistic coefficient (G1 BC) of approximately 0.55.[5]
Military use
Users
At one time, the 7.65×53mm Argentine cartridge saw widespread military use. It was used by:
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Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan (ed.). Cartridges of the World (11th ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. p. 357. ISBN0-89689-297-2.
