Loads for Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin?

[Hansjoggeli]

I have inherited one of these (marked P32, which I understand indicates that it was "privatized" in 1932). She's in good shape and I'm keen to put her through her paces... I am looking for load data for her. I have seen - somehwere! - an item indicating that these old rifles will be OK with pressures up to about 38000-39000 psi. Any suggestions? (Does anyone make a factory loaded GP11 cartridge suitable for SR1889s?)

[Phil]

This one is a real odd ball. The chamber neck is about .340/350" or somewhere in diameter, I'll have to see if I can find my old data if you need it. The throat is very long, and is about .330/340" in diameter as I recall. The groove diameter is .306" which makes for a tight squeeze with jacketed bullets. I tried to shoot one with cast boolits one time and only succeeded in really leading the bore.

There is no "GP11" equivalent (sp?) loading for the old soldier that I recall ever seeing.

Cheers,

Phil

[kywoodwrkr]

I have one of these as well.
http://www.swissrifles.com/
Try the above website.
Check out their forums.
http://pub18.ezboard.com/btheswissri...ommessageboard
and reloading forum in particular.
http://p083.ezboard.com/ftheswissrif...sageboardfrm11
Brass can be reformed from 284 Winchester.
But you'll find a wealth of information at this site.
FWIW
DaveP kywoodwrkr

[abunaitoo]

On my 1889 I have been using 12.0gr Unique, with a 180gr/309 GC Lee bullet. You'll need to cut down the 7.5 Swiss shells to fit your chamber.
You would need a higher front sight. Recoil is very light. Shoots 1" to 1 1/2" at 50yds. I can hit a 7" metal plate at 100yds, standing, with ease.
You might also try 13.0gr to 14.0gr of Blue Dot. Shoots about the same with less recoil, and is much cleaner than Unique.
I use Unique because I have lots of it. If I had a choice I'd use Blue Dot.

[Bob S]

Groove diamater of the 3-groove barrels is .310, not .304, which has been reported frequently. .304 is a typical groove-to-land dimaeter. The GP-90 bullet was a heeled swaged lead-alloy with an iron tip, paper patched. Diameter over the patch was about .320. The throat is long and gently tapered to squeeze the oversized bullet assembly down: getting a .308 or .311 .30 cal bullet to engrave in the throat is an exercise in futility. The neck area of the chamber is excessively large in dimaeter to accomodate the paper patched bullet. Both of my rifles will in fact chamber a cartridge with a .321 cast bullet seated. Because of the size of the neck, incomplete obturation is common with light loads or if you try to load a .30 cal projectile "long" to minimize the "jump" into the throat: you need to seat the bullet deeper to give the pressure a chance to build up enough before the base of the projectile leaves the neck to expand the neck into that huge expanse. A 311284 sized .312, or unsized, with 17 grains of 2400 shoots "OK" .... about 3" at 100 yards. That's about the best you can expect with conventional .30 cal loading techniques.

I have had better success with an Ideal 321297 gas checked and sized in a custom .318 Lee push-through, with 17 grains of 2400. I use the .319 expander from an Ideal 32-40 tool to start the bullets in the neck. This will group into 2" or less.

I don't need a higher front sight with this load; but if you think you need a high front sight, the "standard" front from a 96/11 of Gew1911 will be "high" on the 1889, because the blade on the later sights sits on a "cap" above the dovetail, whereas the 1889 sight did not. It's a simple push/pull replacement.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Hansjoggeli]

Thank, gents - all of your replies are much appreciated! The Swissrifles.com messageboard is very useful - thanks for that tip, kywoodworker - from there I learned that under no circumstances should one even consider GP11 for the 1889: too hot!

Cheers!

[Ricochet]

GP-11 (Rifle Cartridge, Model of 1911) is one specific load for the 7.5mm Swiss. Way too hot for the pre-1911 models, as you've learned. Did you see the picture over there of the buckled bolt sleeve on an 1889 that had been repeatedly fired with GP-11?

GP-90 supposedly had a maximum pressure of 38,500 PSI, and is considered maximum for the old Swiss rifles. You have to handload, nothing like that's commercially available.

[RGRWJB]

Here is some loading info here too:

http://swissriflewebsite.com/SwissRi...eHandloads.htm

[SamTexas49]

Re-awaking an old topic but I just snagged one of these old shooters, the 1889 rifles that is supposed to use the gp90 ammo (which isnt available anymore as far as I have search !) So I bit the boolit (pun intended) and ordered 2 boxes of 7.5x55 new brass to reload.
The links to the swiss group above dont work anymore.

So looking for any new data on reloading for this cartridge, realize I will need to trim the brass down a little.

Need to get the reloading dies for 7.5x55

Will appreciate any other info and data !

Been checking out the youtube videos also.

[6mm win lee]

Give the guys on the Swiss a shout. They should be able to get you heading in the right direction.

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdis...Weapons-Forum&

[SamTexas49]

Thank you ! Will be doing some reading there !

[Wdog01]

My way of reloading for this M1889 rifle: 7,5x55 cases cut to 54,0mm, set of 7,5x55 RCBS dies with a bit larger expansion rod, cast bullets from LEE 8mm MAX moulds, gas-checked bullets cca 235grs dia .321, hard alloy, and the load 28grs of ACC5744. It gives approx. 580ms = 1900fps on the muzzle and good accuracy. Bye Ales

[SamTexas49]

Thanks !!

[toolness1]

Maybe I got lucky but I don't have to trim my brass any differently for my two 1889 rifles than I do for my two K31's, two K11's, 1911, and 96/11. In fact, I do nothing different for them whatsoever.

I load one cast load and shoot them in all of the above. The two 1889 rifles I own have no issue chambering normal length 7.5x55 brass.

I just use a Lee .309 180gr powder coated and sized to .310. Shoots great in all my swiss rifles. 16gr 2400

[richmanpoorman]

You have the 1890 spec cartridge. RCBS dies are set up for that spec and Hornady also make dies for the 1890 chamber spec. Dies for the K31 are different. Lee dies are right for neither although the collet die works fine.
Slug your bore !!!!!