M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali 10.4x47R

[ATLDave]

I've got a Swiss one. I use AA 5574 for the powder, and some cast 330 grain loads. You have to use a pretty long bullet to get the magazine/elevator to work.

 

[troy fairweather]

Check C&Rsenal's write-up on this old rifle -
-Apparently, it even served in the First World War!

yup seen that when it came out, watched it again tho.

 

[ATLDave]

I think its more steampunk cool than weird myself- like it would go well with a Gunblade from Final Fantasy.

I call mine the "Tusken Raider gun" because it looks like something they'd carry while riding their Banthas across the sands of Tatooine. Both futuristic and old-and-busted at the same time.

 

[ATLDave]

One big tip: If the Italian sights are like the Vetterli ones, it will shoot very high at any kind of close distance.... I mean 18-30" high. Way high. Aim at the bottom portion of an IPSC target to shoot a group in the "neck" high. (Or maybe the other way around? Way low? Big vertical hold off, I remember that for sure...)

Fun to bang steel at 100 yards with, though. Well, I say bang. It's more like bonk. Fun to bonk steel with it.

And the gun doesn't make a "BLAM!" It says, very politely, "FOOMPF." At least with the 5574 loads.

 

[troy fairweather]

this gun has given me the excuse to get the lee 300gr 44 mold, i wanted to try it in my marlin 1894, but did not know if it would like it. now it can be used for both. i need to pick up some thick aluminum, i have wanted to make my own molds. i made a nice cutter last year and it works really good.

 

[troy fairweather]

One big tip: If the Italian sights are like the Vetterli ones, it will shoot very high at any kind of close distance.... I mean 18-30" high. Way high. Aim at the bottom portion of an IPSC target to shoot a group in the "neck" high.

Fun to bang steel at 100 yards with, though. Well, I say bang. It's more like bonk. Fun to bonk steel with it.

And the gun doesn't make a "BLAM!" It says, very politely, "FOOMPF." At least with the 5574 loads.

ya got to see where it hit with the bullet and load i pick. if i have to i will make a front sight. with all the guns i have if they are legal to hunt with i like to take them out.

 

[ATLDave]

I've been using these, but with a gas check on them. https://hunters-supply.com/430-cal-330-gcfp-p-174.html I don't cast lead... I'm already stupid enough.

 

[ATLDave]

ya got to see where it hit with the bullet and load i pick. if i have to i will make a front sight. with all the guns i have if they are legal to hunt with i like to take them out.

Yep, I've got a buddy who has taken both deer and hog with his Vett's. If you don't mind the absurd length and weight and the not-100% reliable feed of the next round, no reason not to collect meat with them.

 

[LoonWulf]

i've never seen that movie, and i've seen a lot. is it the 2005 one. i loaded up about 17 rounds with a 200 grain lee bullet (the only 44 bullets i have left). with 11.5 grins TB. i just have to find a die to size the neck down some more, if not i wil size the bullet more. i want to keep the largest bullet i can fit.

Thought it was 07 or so, 2005s in that range for me tho lol.

 

[troy fairweather]

looking inside this gun, looks like it was never used. the rounds feed 100% and smooth, the safety/decocker works perfect to. pulled the wood off looks very clean the metal under there is perfect to.

 

[ATLDave]

Jeez, I just realized the Italian variants use a box magazine! My Swiss one has a tube magazine, thus my comments about needing a long round and a hinky elevator!

 

[troy fairweather]

Jeez, I just realized the Italian variants use a box magazine! My Swiss one has a tube magazine, thus my comments about needing a long round and a hinky elevator!

the tube mags on them are cool, but mine is the magazine one. some guy would say people are crazy for hunting with these, but a 300 grain bullet at 1350 will kill anything in america i don't mind the weight mot of my hunting is sitting on a rock wall over looking smaller farm fields.

 

[303 hunter]

I have a Vetterli that I inherited from my grandfather. It doesn’t look quite as good as yours, but the bore is pristine. Found a fellow locally that reformed Lebel brass, and sold loaded ammo. 350 grain flat nosed lead bullet propelled by 22 gr XMP 5744 feels like a .410 shotgun, but will put a deer down quickly!

When my grandfather passed, I decided to harvest a deer to honor him with that rifle. Killed a big doe the first day of rifle season that year(2006). Broke both shoulders from 50 yards. It hasn’t been shot since, but this thread has re-kindled my interest. I’ll shoot it again soon!

 

[troy fairweather]

View attachment 845693 I have a Vetterli that I inherited from my grandfather. It doesn’t look quite as good as yours, but the bore is pristine. Found a fellow locally that reformed Lebel brass, and sold loaded ammo. 350 grain flat nosed lead bullet propelled by 22 gr XMP 5744 feels like a .410 shotgun, but will put a deer down quickly!

When my grandfather passed, I decided to harvest a deer to honor him with that rifle. Killed a big doe the first day of rifle season that year(2006). Broke both shoulders from 50 yards. It hasn’t been shot since, but this thread has re-kindled my interest. I’ll shoot it again soon!

thanks for the pic and the cool story. i am still messing with dies to get the first part of the neck smaller.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Yep, Serenity. the bank robbery scene.
Internet Movie Firearms Database IMFDb, the clerk has a Vetterli M1869/70 carbine.
http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Serenity#Vetterli_M1869.2F70

That is a steampunk looking firearm.

 

[303 hunter]

thanks for the pic and the cool story. i am still messing with dies to get the first part of the neck smaller.

Guy I bought the ammo from told me I could neck size with 41 magnum sizing die.

 

[troy fairweather]

Guy I bought the ammo from told me I could neck size with 41 magnum sizing die.

a 35 rem die almost does it, if these were .428 bullets it would work, wish i have a 7.62x39 die to try. ill ask around see if i can find a 41 mag die. here are the ones i did, and one opps.

 

[troy fairweather]

here's a chamber cast, this thing is about the most bland round out there, it shows the good bit of leed in the throat area.

 

[Crowman]

Source material for research on your rifle, ...from Ian McCollum’s website: ForgottonWeapons.com

He did a book review on...
Book Review: The Italian Vetterli Rifle by Robert Wilsey.

 

[troy fairweather]

Source material for research on your rifle, ...from Ian McCollum’s website: ForgottonWeapons.com

He did a book review on...
Book Review: The Italian Vetterli Rifle by Robert Wilsey.

thanks i would like to see where this rifle spent it's time an were. i don't see the russian bomb anywhere so that's out. the action even seems new not just rearsenaled. this is the last year they were made, i think that explains the very mint bore.

 

[entropy]

What scene are you referring to? Ive seen that movie hundreds of times and never noticed a Vetterli......

Browncoats forever!

Where they hold up the underground vault. There is a guy they first confront when they go inside that kind of looks like Henry Gibson that has the Vetterli.....I though "of all the odd guns they'd find to put in this scene...."

 

[303 hunter]

Troy, keep us updated on your reloading progress for this old warhorse. I’d like to load some rounds for mine. I almost forgot that a buddy slugged the bore on mine when we were trying to identify the rifles make/model. If I remember correctly, it was .414, or pretty much 41 caliber. Measured one of the loaded rounds I bought years ago, and got .433. It’s very soft lead, easily scratched with my calipers.

 

[troy fairweather]

Troy, keep us updated on your reloading progress for this old warhorse. I’d like to load some rounds for mine. I almost forgot that a buddy slugged the bore on mine when we were trying to identify the rifles make/model. If I remember correctly, it was .414, or pretty much 41 caliber. Measured one of the loaded rounds I bought years ago, and got .433. It’s very soft lead, easily scratched with my calipers.

yes i will i and a quick sizer for the 44 bullets, they are around .425 .426 after i will see how they do to. i just picked up a no,1 remington rolling block in 45-110 and think i am getting a swedish rolling block to. so plenty of things to mess with, i will post them to so keep a eye out if that's your thing.

 

[Bitrclngr]

Greetings and congratulations on a very nice Vetterli! Your rifle was used by native troops in Italian East Africa. The AOI brand on the stock stands for (Africa Orientale Italiana) Italian East Africa. Rifles bearing the AOI brand are uncommon.

 

[troy fairweather]

Greetings and congratulations on a very nice Vetterli! Your rifle was used by native troops in Italian East Africa. The AOI brand on the stock stands for (Africa Orientale Italiana) Italian East Africa. Rifles bearing the AOI brand are uncommon.

thank you, and welcome to THR.