.43 Spanish

[XxWINxX94]

Hello everyone,

Looked at a Rolling Block today at a local gun show just for fun and in hope of one day owning one. The one I looked at was in .43 Spanish, not the most common cartridge. The seller even said he would "include ammo" with the sale of the gun.

Anyway, has anyone ever had any personal expiriences with the .43 Spanish in whatever gun? I'm just curious to learn more about it in general in hopes of one day affording an original Rolling Block.

.43 Spanish expiriences anyone?

 

[MMCSRET]

I have been shooting an 1879 Argentine Army contract infantry rifle in 43 Spanish for several years now. Fun and can be very accurate but it is cantankerous to cast and load for. I have never loaded smokeless powder even tho there is load data floating around for it. The bores are widely varied and that can be a problem, brass is expensive and quality can be varied also. I have considered rebarreling mine to a more precise chambering but it is so nice and looks so good I haven't been able to bring myself to do it.

 

[Double Vision]

A year ago I was very lucky to be gifted an 1879 Argentine .43 Spanish in great shape. But the ammo that came with it was pretty rough looking and I'm not inclined to try it.

I did find a guy at a gun show selling .43 Spanish loads - for $5 each! I'm not a reloader but may have to go down that road just to try the Remington out. I've seen the brass, powder and lead available at a couple of web sites.

That rolling block has got to be a load of fun to shoot. The ammo is huge!

 

[Float Pilot]

For your 11.15x58R Rolling Block

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=358

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=11816

There was a good article a few years ago by Mike Venturino, I think... But I can't find it...

 

[Double Vision]

It may be time to spring for some .43 Spanish ammo, price be damned.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3868.html

 

[Pokyman]

All 43 Spanish rifles I have seen have been in good to very good condition with a few looking almost new. Without exception these rifles have all had very good to excellent bores. Certainly worth shooting and enjoying a little history.
If you are able to buy loaded ammo it will be very expensive to just take to the range and make some noise.
If you are thinking of buying loaded ammo and using the fired brass to begin reloading, make sure it is not Berdan primed.
The 43 Spanish is very similar to the 44-77 Sharps. Both catridges can be formed from 348 Winchester brass. Winchester still makes seasonal runs of the 348 brass. If you go to a gun shop that stocks a lot of reloading supplies and the owner knows how to help a customer out, they should be able to order some for you.
As for bullet molds, NEI, RCBS, and I believe LEE are a few suppliers that make molds for the 43 Spanish.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Thanks guys, good info here. I'm not a reloader, but still very interesting. If I did pick up a Rolling Block, I would have to suffer with those $77 for 20 rounds, prices be damned indeed.