Pistol · CIP standardized
7.63mm Mauser
The original cartridge for the Mauser C96 'Broomhandle' — one of the most influential semi-automatic pistols in history.
- Caliber
- 0.3094″ · 7.86 mm
- Introduced
- 1896
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 7.65mm Borchardt
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1896
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Mauser
- Manufacturer
- Mauser
- Standard
- CIP standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 17.2 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9.9
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 32,626 psi
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- 7.65mm Borchardt
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.86 | 0.309 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.46 | 0.333 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.60 | 0.378 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 17.4° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 9.86 | 0.388 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.98 | 0.393 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 4.05 | 0.159 | ≈ |
| Case length | 25.15 | 0.990 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 35.08 | 1.381 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7.63mm Mauser is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 7 active loads across 6 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 18 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiocchi | FMJ | 88 | FMJ | 1,440 | 405 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ | 88 | FMJ | 1,440 | 405 | — |
| Geco | Range | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| MEN | Standard | 85 | FMJ | 1,410 | 375 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Sport | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| PPU | Range | 85 | FMJ | 1,410 | 375 | — |
| Norma | Safeguard | 88 | FMJ | 1,400 | 383 | — |
| Winchester | FMJ | 88 | FMJ | 1,440 | 405 | — |
| Geco | FMJ | 88 | FMJ | 1,440 | 405 | — |
| DWM | FMJ Service | 88 | FMJ | 1,440 | 405 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 86 | FMJ | 1,410 | 380 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 7.63mm Mauser
12 models in the database chamber 7.63mm Mauser. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by Mauser in 1896 for the C96 pistol. The bottlenecked case and high velocity (over 1,400 fps) made it one of the most powerful pistol cartridges of its era. Used across WWI and WWII by multiple nations. Winston Churchill carried a C96 in the Mahdist War. The Soviet Union copied the cartridge dimensions nearly exactly when developing the 7.62x25mm Tokarev in the 1930s. Original 7.63mm Mauser ammunition is collector-grade; modern production 7.62x25mm Tokarev is generally safe to fire in C96 pistols.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.63mm Mauser use?
- 7.63mm Mauser typically uses a 1:9.9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.63mm Mauser?
- 7.63mm Mauser uses a 0.3094″ (7.86 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.63mm Mauser still in production?
- 7.63mm Mauser is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is 7.63mm Mauser used for?
- 7.63mm Mauser is primarily used for military, self defense.
- What is 7.63mm Mauser based on?
- 7.63mm Mauser is derived from the 7.65mm Borchardt case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 7 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
Lindcott Armory