Hunting with the 43 Mauser

Background

The 43 Mauser, or as it is sometimes called, the 11mm Mauser, is an obsolete cartridge that is common in Canada due to the large number of rifles in circulation. It is relatively easy to find rifles in excellent condition at auctions, some are clearly collector quality but a good percentage are not collectable but certainly well suited for casual shooting or hunting. An added bonus is that the prices are quite fair.

In spite of the fact that the military ammo used in the Mauser 71/84 and 71’s was corrosively primed and loaded with blackpowder, barrels are generally in good to very good condition. This means that getting these rifles to shoot well is a fairly simple task. Although the sights on guns of this vintage favor young eyes, if the goal is hunting, replacing them with more modern iron sights either open or peep is a simple solution. While it breaks the aesthetic, even a lower power scope would be an option.

Taking a M71/84 with a 31 ½” barrel to a shooting range is easy but, they are not practical for hunting and cutting down the tubular magazine when shortening the barrel is a job best left to a gunsmith. However, finding one that has already been partially converted to a sporting rifle, is not hard to do and they sell at a strong discount to collector grade rifles. In addition, a reasonable number of sporterized M71, single shot carbines are floating around which are ideal for hunting and have the added benefit of being legally classified as “antiques”.

Instead of a 31 ½” barrel, the M71 carbine has a 20” barrel and typically weigh around 8 lbs with a slim, handy profile. The only drawback with these Mauser rifles is that the sights are regulated so that the point of impact at 50 yards is almost a foot high. This was not uncommon for rifles of this era, where the highly curved ballistic trajectory meant that sights were intentionally set this way. Using iron sights effectively means that the sight picture is critical and the issue sights on both the M71/84 and M71 make aiming a challenge and they should be replaced. NECG make high quality sights that add a touch of class to any gun.

A M71 carbine with a mint barrel and nice wood but which had been sporterized years ago provided the perfect basis for building a hunting rifle. A quick trip to the gunsmith ended up with new adjustable sights from NECG being installed. Although the metal was in good condition, the effects of 150 years of wear and tear were evident, so it was bead blasted and then parkerized for corrosion protection.

Ballistics

While the 43 Mauser is a century and a half old, it is no powder puff and can provide ballistics comparable to the 30-30 Winchester. A bullet starting out at 0.446” is comparable to the 30-30 bullet after it expands, so it will put game down.

Going from the infantry barrel length of 31 ½” to 20 to 24” does result in a real change in velocity but it can be compensated for. The powder charges are not listed, since while these loads are safe in my rifles, they may not be in all Mausers. Going to the shorter barrel means a velocity loss of 15 – 30%, which is significant. Since the case was full of Trail Boss, there was no option to increase the powder charge, so it was eliminated from hunting load development.

Due to the lower velocity seen with the carbine, the powder charge was increased for 5744 until the velocity was around 1450 fps. Although the case was only half full, ignition was consistent and the standard deviation was well within acceptable levels. In addition, the extraction was easy and cases lasted for over 8 reloads and are still going strong.

Using 5744 powder, 50 yard groups were centred and 2 – 3” in size. At 25 yards they were around 2” high and at 75 yards about 3” low. In other words, over the practical hunting range for this rifle, it was point and shoot. The recoil with the steel buttplate was stiff but manageable.

Hunting

It was decided to try the rifle on wild boar and a hunt was arranged in Saskatchewan and we arrived excited to see how it would work on a tough 150 – 200 lbs animal. The weather started out drizzling but on the second day it changed and the sun was out. Hunting from blinds provides a good opportunity to reflect on things and one could only wonder how many hunters over the years had one of these rifles in their hands wandering through the woods, hoping for an opportunity to put something in their larder.

While buried in these thoughts, a boar sauntered into an opening and the rifle came to shoulder, the front bead pasted just behind the front leg. The trigger broke and instead of a boom, all that was heard was a click, the pig heard it even though it was 40 – 50 yards away and was gone in an instant. The primer showed a strong indent but likely after being in the rain the previous day, the striker fall was not as sharp as it should have been. The round was replaced and the questions of would the boar come back and would the gun fire, echoed in my thoughts.

Twenty minutes later, another pig sauntered into view, this time a boom broke the silence and after a 10 – 15 yard run the boar was on the ground. The 346 gr bullet shot through one shoulder and angled out through the ribs, so it was not possible to see if the bullet had expanded – but likely it had not. The hunt did not prove anything, since this cartridge has been taking game for a century and a half but somehow it seemed more real seeing the boar on the ground and the faint smell of burnt powder hanging in the air.

Summary

As the expression says, “variety is the spice of life” and spice for hunting can be going after different game, different areas or the equipment used. As we get older, taking the same 243 or 308 out each year can get a bit mundane and this is why using a different rifle helps to make it seem new again. Older rifles, and in particular ones that limit you to under 150 yards, brings us back to the roots of hunting in the 1800’s or even the early 1900’s, when a 100 yards was considered a long shot. While having a scope and a cartridge with a laser flat trajectory may make 300 – 400 yard shots simple, going back to an earlier time has its appeal. It is not about nostalgia but rather a connection to the land and the game we hunt. It should not be an Instagram moment but the deep-seated knowledge that we took a path less travelled and viewed the challenge as being part of the experience and not just an obstacle to be avoided.

Aside from challenges of using these older rifles, that other attraction is that you are giving life and purpose to these pieces of history and it does help to connect us to an earlier time.

Stolen

While driving back from the hunt, the rifle was stolen in Winnipeg, while having breakfast, and is likely on a reserve in the area. If you have any information on this rifle, a reward will be paid for its return and no questions will be asked. I can be reached at 613 361 4510. The serial number is 6066 and it is stamped both on the left side of the barrel and receiver. It was made by the Spandau arsenal.

Mauser M71 carbine, Serial number 6066, single shot

i) NECG front and rear sights

ii) Black parkerized finish, bolt is in the white