PDA

View Full Version : Vetterli with large bore


bonza
12-10-2009, 03:41 PM
Have a Swiss Vetterli M.1869/71, converted to centerfire. Slugged the bore ysterday & found it has .422" bore with .440" grooves, so it's bigger than the norm for these rifles. Alot of Vetterli shooters are using the Lee .430-310-FP bullet, but that would be too small for my rifle I should think, though it should bump up some. Also have a lead on a custom-made Lee 'Coyote' mold for the heeled bullet, anyone have experience with these?
Anyone know of any molds that may make a suitable bullet for this rifle? Usual weight is 300 to 350 grains.
Safeshot
12-10-2009, 03:54 PM
For your bore and groove size you might be able to use the Lyman mold for the .43 Spanish. It is a plain base, about .439 and weighs about 370 Gr with a mix of WW and lead. You might be able to get the proper overall Cartridge length by crimping in a grease groove and using a shorter neck. Just a thought.
Paul in Oregon
12-12-2009, 12:54 AM
I have a m69 Vetterli that has a groove dia. of .446 . I converted a Lee 38-55 mold to cast a .45o bullet that I size down to .446 and it is quite accurate. It weighs about 368 grns. I was going to buy a lyman 43 Mauser mold which casts a .446 missle at 340 grns. but went the other route. Paul in Oregon
bonza
12-12-2009, 09:53 AM
Well, as it happens, I found an unused RCBS 44-370-FN bullet mold in my odds & ends drawer. Should throw a .446" 370gn bullet, so I ordered a .441" sizing die from Lee yesterday, along with a couple of others (.468" & .517") I've been hanging-off ordering.
mtnman31
12-14-2009, 05:22 PM
Sounds like you have a nice "odds and ends" drawer. What else do you have in there waiting to be discovered? er, RE-discovered?
bonza
12-14-2009, 07:00 PM
Sounds like you have a nice "odds and ends" drawer.

Yes, I'm constantly surprising myself as to what I have laying around! Used to be I'd buy reloading dies in obscure calibers 'just in case' I ever bought a rifle that would need them!
TAWILDCATT
12-18-2009, 12:09 PM
my Lee seting die wont take a .430 bullet.or a .429.
bonza
12-18-2009, 07:53 PM
my Lee seting die wont take a .430 bullet.or a .429.

You mean they are too large a diameter to fit in the seating die? My die set arrived the other day, but I haven't had the chance to do anything with them yet.