Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Got an old box of ammo stamped at the base with a "Z" in a circle on top, "19" on one side and "35" on the other, and "7.65S" on the bottom. Anybody know what rifle it did/does go to? The rounds are smaller than my .06 and 7mm mauser and bigger than a 308 and the "IVI 79" stamped round I was told is a 7.62x51. The same height as my 7.62x54 but without the flared base as, well as a round I have stamped "3 2 1" on top and "53.3" on bottom and a round stamped "10" on top and "53" on bottom which also have a flared bases and "might be" 7.62x54 as well but stamped differently [I forgot where they came from]. It closest resembles a round I have stamped "nny" "7x57" which I also no longer remember where/when/why I acquired or what rifle it is for as well.

So what can you smart people tell me besides I probably shouldn't collect random vintage bullets to guns I don't own? Then again what better excuse to buy a vintage rifle than already having ammo for it?

I did a Google search, as I am unfamiliar with the round. But one possibility that came up is 7.65 Argentine, used in Argentine Mausers.

" Argentine FAL 7.62x55 NATO caliber.

The Argentine Armed Forces officially adopted the FN FAL in 1955, but the first FN made examples did not arrive in Argentina until the autumn of 1958. Subsequently, in 1960, licensed production of FALs began and continued until the mid to late 1990s, when production ceased.

Argentine FALs were produced by the government-owned arsenal FM (Fabricaciones Militares) at the Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles "Domingo Matheu" (FMAP "DM")in Fray Luis Beltrn, located a few miles north of Rosario. The acronym "FAL" was kept, its translation being "Fusil Automatico Liviano", (Light Automatic Rifle). Production weapons included "Standard" and "Para" (folding buttstock) versions. Military rifles were produced with the full auto fire option. The rifles were usually known as the FM FAL, for the "Fabricaciones Militares" brand name."

Found this info. I always thought FAL were 7.61x51. If the rounds were made in 1935 and this version FAL didn't exist till the late 50's what were they originally used in?

kanata67 wrote:" Argentine FAL 7.62x55 NATO caliber.

The Argentine Armed Forces officially adopted the FN FAL in 1955, but the first FN made examples did not arrive in Argentina until the autumn of 1958. Subsequently, in 1960, licensed production of FALs began and continued until the mid to late 1990s, when production ceased.

Argentine FALs were produced by the government-owned arsenal FM (Fabricaciones Militares) at the Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles "Domingo Matheu" (FMAP "DM")in Fray Luis Beltrn, located a few miles north of Rosario. The acronym "FAL" was kept, its translation being "Fusil Automatico Liviano", (Light Automatic Rifle). Production weapons included "Standard" and "Para" (folding buttstock) versions. Military rifles were produced with the full auto fire option. The rifles were usually known as the FM FAL, for the "Fabricaciones Militares" brand name."

Found this info. I always thought FAL were 7.61x51. If the rounds were made in 1935 and this version FAL didn't exist till the late 50's what were they originally used in?

NATO standard ammo is 7.62 X 51 MM and it is the same size as .308 with case thickness and pressure differences. The FN FAL fires the NATO round. 7.62 X 54 MM is the Russian rimmed round used in the Moisin Nagant, SVD and the PK family of Russian machineguns. It would help if you had a picture of the round next to a .308 round for comparison, but it sounds like you have a 7.65 Argentine/ Belgian Mauser (7.65 X 53 MM) round. The case length should be just a little longer (less than 1/8") longer than the .308's brass.