10.4x38 Swiss Vetterli

[drhall762]

Anyone load for this cartridge? I have a nice one with a spare bolt for CF. I'd like to find some recommendations for bullets and powders.

Thanks

[quiver]

First off slug the bore. The Swiss Vetterli rifle can have a wide varieance of groove diameters. They generally run around .429 but the one I have is an outlier at .436. That being said you must keep in mind that this is a black powder cartrige with the pressure limits that this implies. Max pressure for this cartrige is generaly accepted at around 20,000 psi. If you have no problem using holy black or its substitutes use that. If you don't wish to use black powder the Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions recomends 22.9gr. of IMR 4198 with a 300gr. projectial. However only Lee makes a mold in this weight range and is too short to use in the 1.45 inch version of this cartrige. I would recomend converting your bras to the 1.50 inch length (10.4x42R) using the same boolit and charge weight.

[drhall762]

Good info. Thanks. I guess based upon what I read, the 4mm difference in case length is not an issue but the OAL is critical.

[jonk]

Mine does pretty well with 3/4 case full of trail boss; the 4198 load is good also.

[Chicken Thief]

Both of mine does superb with a 350gr Ranch Dog boolit:

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/inde...x&cPath=1_5_11

Here is 265-300-350gr boolits of the same design.

I make my brass from either .348Winnie or 8x50R Lebel, depending of chamber size.
And as this rifles has no step from brass to bullet in the chamber but is conical, you can get away with long brass. 42mm is no problem at all and that will support a "short" boolit perfectly. The swiss used heel type boolits to get powder capacity and length.

A 55gr load of Swiss #4-card wad-boolit, used with blow tube will shoot hard and true all day long if i do my part, and that with almost no recoil.

[drhall762]

CT, Just my luck, the 350 grain mold has been discontinued and they are out of stock. Guess I need to go to the WTB and post.

[Chicken Thief]

Rats, i'll ship a boatload to you but it'll cost you in shipping!

On the other hand if you're a decent guy i can ship the mould to you as a loaner?

But a solution yourside is simpler and cheaper.

[PAT303]

Are these rifles converted muzzle loaders?,whats the twist rate?. Pat

[Chicken Thief]

Forgot to put a pic behind my claims:



Better eyes could do it better at 50m~55yds

[32ideal]

Chicken Thief do the bullets you shot the group with cycle through your Veterli action?
Mike

[Chicken Thief]

Yes sir! Set at exactly 2.2" no problemo in a 42mm~1.65" shell

[Chicken Thief]

The top one is made from .348Win and is 42.5mm~1.67" that will fit in my M1878 with the thick nech material.
The bottom one is made from PRVI 8x50R brass wich is thinner and the total length is 44.5 mm~1.76" with no problens in my M1869.
Bottom is the .432"-350gr Ranch Dog boolit to show length.

[32ideal]

I ask because I have a old NEI 310gr GC mould that wanted to try in my rifle but thought the nose was to flat, it is a lot narrower than your bullet.

Looks like the new NEI 429-295-GC only 310gr

http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html

Thanks again, Mike

Yes sir! Set at exactly 2.2" no problemo in a 42mm~1.65" shell

[Chicken Thief]

As long as the total length is very close to 2.2" then you're ok. The main problem is that the magasine tube has no interrupter so the length of the cartridge in the elevator must keep the remaning cartridges in the magasine so the elevator can pass.

[drhall762]

CT, Denmark is a little far to be shipping lead. LOL. So you don't have to inside neck ream your brass in you 1878? That is a good deal.

NEI has some heavier/longer bullet molds available.

[Chicken Thief]

Just be aware that original lead is something like:



I know about the lead but hey if it can steer you avay from a wrong $100+ boolit mould then it's ok right?

My 350gr Ranch Dog mics at .962"

[32ideal]

Are the dimensions on the print taken from a original bullet?

Just be aware that original lead is something like:



I know about the lead but hey if it can steer you avay from a wrong $100+ boolit mould then it's ok right?

My 350gr Ranch Dog mics at .962"

[drhall762]

You are so right. I am new to these wonderful rifles and am learning as fast as I can. I take any and all help. Thanks for the diagram. Probably a nose pour mold? The machine shop is almost ready, might be worth a go. I have never made a mold.

[Chicken Thief]

Are the dimensions on the print taken from a original bullet?

No.
It is a reproduction.
The originals was cold pressed and had a round nose.
The M1867 cartridge used BP and a GG boolit.
The M1878 used smokeless and a PP boolit.

http://www.swissrifles.com/ammo/#10.4
http://www.collani.ch/Vetterli-Geschosse-e.htm
http://www.swissrifles.com/vetterli/article/
http://www.swissrifles.com/vetterli/
http://www.schiferli.net/Vetterli.htm

[RugerFan]

As I recall, CBE made a 330 gn mold for use in the Swiss Vetterli.