43 Mauser 1871

[JPIMBO]

This rifle has a .454 groove and a .433 lands. It’s a pristine bore. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out what bullet to use. Either it’s going to be too big for the case or too small to fill the bore. That in cludes paper patching.

OK do you want me to PP and not fill the bore? Or will a .446 bullet not lead it. What about a .435 solid. Will it shoot? I need tech support. I’ve looked everywhere and don’t know where to start. One piece of info missing. What will work.

 

[AJC1]

What is the chamber size limitation? Using jacketed bullets has always been a solution to prevent leading.

 

[JPIMBO]

What is the chamber size limitation? Using jacketed bullets has always been a solution to prevent leading.

I don’t think a .454 will fit. Hawk bullets has soft jacket bullets. I could try them.

 

[AJC1]

I don’t think a .454 will fit. Hawk bullets has soft jacket bullets. I could try them.

Finding brass that is thin will maximize your bullet diameter. Remmington seems the thinnest in some calibers but I don't know your options.

 

[Blue68f100]

That or turn your necks down.

 

[JPIMBO]

I only have some qual cart. You guys, what of soft jacket bullets in .446 they won’t melt. Expensive but not harmful to the rifling. An easy fix. But will they perform?

 

[AJC1]

I only have some qual cart. You guys, what of soft jacket bullets in .446 they won’t melt. Expensive but not harmful to the rifling. An easy fix. But will they perform?

That's the adventure of what we do. Load up a ladder and get the testing started.

 

[Jim Watson]

We don't need no stinkin jacketed bullets.
Buffalo Arms loads .43 Mauser at .446" grooved.
I think the originals were paper patched, but to what diameter?
Bore diameter or as large as will chamber.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Mauser Model 1871 adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71"

(nominally) 11.15mm or .43" caliber

".454 groove and .433 lands."

Sounds like a .44 lead bullet would upset to make up the difference between the lands and grooves.

When in doubt on other 19th century guns, I put a oversize cardboard wad over the BP powder charge and hope it will seal the diff between the bullet and the lands and grooves of the barrel. Some times it works.

 

[Bob Meyer]

The single shot model 1871 and the repeater model 71/84 11 mm Mausers had different bore diameters. My 71/84 will shoot .446 bullets. For the model 1871 you need a different bullet sizing die.

 

[Bob Meyer]

I remember seeing a thread online that the model 1871 should use bullets .452-.453. Any Colt 45 bullet should work, cast or jacketed.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Both of those rifles used paper patched bullets with wax lube wad under
the bullet. Bullets were pure lead.