doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com 43 Mauser Double Rifle

The difference just means that a slightly different plug gauge would go the whole length.

Have you actually measured the diameter of each tube? Or slugged the bores?

You will need the particulars of each tube for the bullet diameter where lead & black powder are quite forgiving. Then fireform cases to each chamber. Then you can call the cartridge whatever you want within reason. Remember standardization didn't come along till WWI.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

MtAl
The gauge rods (plugs) were in .01mm "steps" and the numbers stamped on the barrels for the bore (not groove or bullet) diameter were not precise diameters. There is not much difference between 0.4400 and 0.4399. The "book" indicates the proper diameter bullet is .446", but the Mod 71 I shoot takes a .454" bullet to shoot decently (I don't shoot black powder in it) and it won't chamber unless I size the neck in a 444 die after seating the bullet. From what I can see of the dimensions you reported, you shouldn't need to go through that "goat roping" to get it to shoot.
Mike

Raimey and Der Ami,

Really appreciate the insight and advice. I purchased Hawk .446 lead bullets and the loaded rounds are lead and black powder. I would like to try black powder, need to buy some, and plan on trying 'nitro for black' load recipes from DGJ articles, have the dacron fluff and the smokeless powder if/when those loads are tested.

I'll slug the bore, would be nice to know and since I'm an old pro at chamber casting (this was my first one) I can add another skill.

Thanks for sharing your experience and insights.

Yeah, listen to Ford & you will be an ole Pro.

I should have typed Black Powder Substitute. That is what I use. Sometimes I must drop it thru a tube several times into the case to get the published volume. And if you are over, it just gets blown out the tube. Only task is keeping everything clean and a small hand bottle of Oxy Clean will make the cases proper after ignition.

Can you measure the velocity?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

My objection to black powder is strictly personal and I am not advocating against it-" some of my best friends" use it. As a matter of fact, I just read an evaluation of a new black powder substitute that hopefully will work for me. It is classified as a flammable solid, which is good for shipping, but I don't I don't know if will cause the bullet to obturate like "real" black will. Thirty years ago, I talked my friends into buying "Golden Powder" for our annual primitive weapon deer hunt and it was so inconsistent we couldn't sight the rifles in. I still haven't lived that down, even though some of my friends have passed on.
Mike

Thanks for the clarification on black powder substitute and the note on Oxy Clean. Is there are particular black powder replacement spec to look for? I've only reloaded with smokeless.

I don't have a chronograph but will ask some friends and see if I can borrow one.

Since COVID 19, pretty much whatever you can source. I did like Hodgden Triple 7, but looks like I now favour Hodgden Pyrodex RS or Hodgden Select Pyrodex RS, which looks to be a promising choice going forward. Black Powder will keep you honest until you sort out all the particulars and then you can migrate to semi-smokeless. Black Powder will build some confidence. My experience with straight-wall cases is that most seem to be a compressed powder charge.


Yeah, just get a small hand sprayer of Oxy Clean and a glass Ball jar with lid & seal. Drop the cases in the Ball jar with the open end up; squirt a dab of Oxy Clean in each case & fill with water. Shake virtuously after shooting effort. Then do the final prep @ home.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

I've been loading BP in cartridges since the early 1980's. May I recommend the "SPG Black Powder Cartridge Loading Primer". Also, anything by Paul Matthews is good.

If this is your first endeavor into double rifles, "Shooting the British Double Rifle" by Grahame Wright is the best I know of. It helped me immensely when I bought my first double.

NFB loads, J.C. Munnell in the now defunct Double Gun Journal had some. Most of their back issues are available but I don't know which issue they are in.

Great info on all sides.

I for one would like to see fotos of the Scherping including any & all marks????


Cordialità,

Raimey
rse

For what it is worth, the black powder substitute I was talking about is Shooters World Multi-Purpose Black. I have no connection to the company and haven't tried it yet. If you want to read the evaluation, it is found in the October 2024 issue of Handloader magazine, page 10.
Mike