1874 MAS revolver can't hit side of barn
- Thread starter Boltcarrier
- Start date
Boltcarrier
CGN Regular
I did reloads, using tripple 7 powder, and 262 gr cast bullets, same result,,don't know where it went
Boltcarrier
CGN Regular
true, they are pricey when considering the amount of TLC and adjustments you must make to care for one of these guns. but like milsurps, they are really relics of collector items. most in used and passable shape but the ones in good conditions are even more expensive. especially in Canada where the handgun is no longer allowed ..Makes me wonder, does the poor performance justify the crazy prices these antiques are commanding?
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NAA.
I paid $2,000 for mine and I was lucky because the bore is bright and clean without any pitting, most have because of the black powder and the type of metal used. and everything with the gun works almost perfect, no play and wobbles. clicks well. cycles perfect.
so I kind of love this gun, that's why I want to figure out the reason for it's poor performance.
it's part of the fun, I guess
I would do what the previous poster mentioned as well. Start closer and work your way out. Could just be shooting really low/high. Your bore could be bigger then the bullet and not biting into the rifling and become unstable.
I do want to get one of these eventually. They look solid and really easy to reload, also fairly inexpensive comparably speaking.
I do want to get one of these eventually. They look solid and really easy to reload, also fairly inexpensive comparably speaking.
777 is equivalent in many ways, but it burns differently from black powder.
Black powder builds up enough pressure and keeps the pressure curve higher for longer, helping the bullets to obturate into the grooves better.
Those heavy bullets may not stabilize very well, and when you combine that with poor obturation, and you will get the results you're asking about.
Tiriaq is trying to tell you something.
I don't believe your pistol is grouping at all with the bullets you're shooting.
I have antique pistols and shoot them, but not often enough.
I have mostly 455s, but also 9.3mm, and a Webley No2, that will not chamber 38S&W factory brass. I have to run the factory cases through a 9x19 sizing die, use a custom mould to cast heeled bullets, of the proper diameter, .368, to get the little pistol to shoot well at the distances it was intended for, 5-10 feet. It will hold a six inch group at 15 yards.
I load all of these pistols with real black powder, under the original bullet designs, because it's the only propellant that does what the original specs required of the ammunition/pistols.
Most people new to antique pistols are stuck on the knowledge they garnered with modern firearms. These are the mechanisms, with all their faults and nostalgia, that led to modern handguns being as good as they are.
When you're working with 19th century tech, use 19th century tech, and things will work about as well as they did at the time period they were common.
The original 11mm French ordnance is a heeled bullet, so your bullets are probably undersized. The case is also crimped to the heeled bullet, which you need a special raised shell holder and die for. https://oldwestbulletmoulds.com/ sells the heeled bullet mold and crimper. I don't think the H&C kits crimp the bullet either.
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Speaking from experience, your chambers are cut for 455 Webley, but the bore is still 11mm, bullet size was .451 - .452 not .455.
Put the bullet tip into the muzzle and have a look. Now remove the cylinder and put your bullet into the throats. Too big eg?
I tried that and got keyholing before I clued in.
Put the bullet tip into the muzzle and have a look. Now remove the cylinder and put your bullet into the throats. Too big eg?
I tried that and got keyholing before I clued in.
These guns do shoot quite high. I have a 73 i shoot it with .455 starline cases, all lead .454 200 grain bullets and a very mild load of hs6. Once you learn where to aim they become more shootable. Have tried the factory fiocchi. I prefer my own hand loads.
