10.4 x 38mm Vetterli 41 Swiss looking for loads for 240 grain bullet

[dano440]

I been using a borrowed mold 310 grain .429 dia. it's really whittling way at my lead supple. I would like conserve my shooting and extend my supply by dropping now 70 grains.

So has anyone had any great success with a 240 grain bullet in a Swiss Vetterli rifle if so what powder and what velocities?

I just about got all my brass formed up now, I just need to finish the last fire forming and I will be ready for load development. So my thoughts were; why re-invent the wheel if someone has already been down this road, it would save a lot of powder and primers, which are in short supply today or so it seems.

I would even consider a 200 grain bullet if there is more success with them.

My goal for this rifle is something that will shoot well at 100 yards. this is a novelty rifle for shooting with friends and sharing a bit of history.

thanks for any info.
Dan

[jonk]

First, know that the shorter bullets won't cycle in the magazine.

That said, I've done ok with 200 and 240 grain bullets using both a case of black powder and some of the popular substitutes- 4198, Trail boss, 5744.

Here's a link to a good discussion on the topic on another board. http://forums.gunboards.com/archive/...p/t-21008.html

[dano440]

I am aware about overall length issues of too short being a problem, I don't think I have ever used the magazine since I owned one. i have ran my brass out to 42 mm on the new brass, but had been trimming it to 38 mm but this time running them a little longer. I have a M78 and M81 the M81 is relatively new to me. the M78 has been Hacked on before it came to me. the M78 was the learning curve for earlier experiments.

[enfield]

I just got my 69/71 up and working this past week, so far just loaded some pipsqueak 4.5 gr red dot loads with a 200 and 250 gr boolit to make sure it would function. then the black powder loads (29 gr 2f) shot very well out to 75y even with a pitted bore. with blow tube between shots. tonite I loaded a few 9gr unique and 16gr 4759 loads just to try. I will report when I get a chance to try em out.

[dano440]

I loaded some 240 grain bullets last night with 9 grains of unique and I am going to give that a try. I had be loading 8 grains of trail boss with 310 grain bullets, but lead supply was suffering from that and my tail boss supply is also shrinking so, the plan is to go to a lighter bullet and switch to unique powder, in a attempt to conserve supplies. it might be a while before I get a chance to try them snow and ice are in the forecast for this week.

I might have to head out this weekend and get a pound of red dot powder, I keep hearing red dot loads.

Dan

[elk hunter]

I'm using 10 grains of Unique with 240 grain .430 bullets in my 81 model and it shoots great. I'm so happy with that load I may not look for anything better.

[Jjed]

I use trail boss and a 240 gr swc shoots very well shot this target before I got my new higher front sight from chicken thief now it shoots dead on point of aim.

[dano440]

what was your distance on your target???

[Chicken Thief]

A pace closer and the bayonet would have shredded the paper
But it is nice shooting and just goes to show what those old Swiss guns will do.

[Jjed]

The target was at 45 yds
Very funny chicken thief
Hope You are ok.
Jim