.43 Spanish, anyone .... ?

You might want to have a look at Venturino's, " Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West ".

In chapter 16 he provides data on the .44-77 ( 2 1/4" ) and the .43 Spanish cartridges.
 
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Got several books on the topic, including Venturino's.

The .43 Sp. and the Sharps 44-77 BN are ballistic twins save for bullet diameter. Sharps did the right thing by offering a heavier bullet (470 grs) better suited for the 1x20" twist. I use 470 gr bullets cast from an NEI mould.
 
Anybody know of any Canadian source of loaded ammo or cases, bullets and dies for the .43 Spanish? I have one that I would like to shoot.
 
I'm looking for sources and when I find them, I'll post it here. I just bought another .43 Sp., this one a carbine.
 
A good source for 43 Spanish information is the little booklet "Shooting The .43 Spanish Rolling Block" by Croft Barker, Cistern Publishing Company. Both black and smokeless loads are discussed.

I have a Remington Rolling block with about 100 cases made from 348 Win. Cases. On these the rim is slightly pushed up to increase the net rim thickness. I shoot 439 diameter round nosed bullets that I cast from wheel weights plus 2% pewter. The bullets get sized and lubed with my Lyman sizer to .439. A full case of 2F would drop any critter in Canada.
 
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Buffalo Arms has 11.15x58R Spanish cases formed from .348 Win. Cases but how to get them up here legally is something I didn't have to worry about as my cases came with the rifle. The Croft Barker book lists three smokeless loads using IMR 4759, IMR 3031, and AA XMP 5744. The black powder loads use GOEX 2F. One of the bullets used is Lyman #439186.
 
vagrantviking said:
I think it's also known as the 11mm Mauser isn't it? As another term for searching.
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Gun5tuff said:
No. There are many 11 mm cartridges with different case diameters, lengths, A-bases, flat bases, etc. The .43 Spanish has a fatter case and a thinner bullet than a .43 Mauser.
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I vaguely remember seeing some quite old dominion boxes that were printed as "43 Mauser & Spanish"... they're close, but not identical, but I can see where the confusion comes from. One thing that has always had me stumped is the reason why 43 mauser is made with the raised boss on the cartridge base. I'm sure it has a reason, but I'll be darned if I know why :p

In regards to loading, from what I've seen the cartridges and their associated firearms all had similar performances and capacities, so keeping with conservative loadings they should all take similar bullets, powders, loads etc, mostly in line with trapdoor 45-70 pressures... though I'm sure with some care quite a few actions can take a lot more than that. Then again, I've never shot 43 spanish, so this' all from reading rather than experience.
 
I've got Barker's book on reloading for the 50-70. I'll order a copy of his book on the .43.

I've got some reformed .348 WCF from BACO. Should have ordered more when they could still ship across the DMZ. But there are ways .....

Apparently the reforming process is quite a job - case stretching, bumping up the rim, etc. Several dies required.

Gave up on the Lyman 375 gr bullet. I'm shooting an NEI 470 gr bullet as it's quite long, so less of a jump through the long throat these rifles have. It also stabilizes well in the 1x20" twist.

I'd be interested in the smokeless loads recommended by Barker. I have all those powders on hand in addition to BP, of course. Likely the 40% rule developed by Ross Seyfried and others. If you don't want to post them here, send me a PM.

Ballistically, the .43 Spanish is a twin of the 44-77 Sharps BN, the Sharps using a larger diameter bullet. .Both can use the same case.
 
If you guys think you have trouble finding the 43 Spanish ammo or components, just think of my fine old Remington rolling block, in calibre 43 Egyptian!
As far as I know, this is a SCARCE calibre!
 
Check out the 'Gun Room' at "Shooter's Choice". They offer Bertram brass in the calibres were are discussing. You will be slightly taken aback by the prices .....

H4831 - I have an article from a back copy of BPCN on loading for the .43 Egyptian. You can paper patch or go with a slightly larger diameter grease groove bullet. I know which I'd be doing .....
 
Thanks Sharps'63, that's amazing that 43 Egyptian brass is available. I can't see how many you get for the price, ninety something. In comparing, the little 25-20 single shot are $58 plus.
My rifle is quite unique, in that it is marked on the tang, Mil. No.1, Remington, illion, NY, plus a bunch of patent dates, but has no other marks of any kind, on the rifle, except the stock makers initials. Also, the rifle is in, what could be called spectacular condition, as the bore is like new and there are only handling or storage marks on it.
Reading about those rifles it is pointed out that most are in really beat up condition, except a very few that were not issued to any countries military. This seems like a reasonable explanation for mine, because any military getting these rifles have a lot of markings on them.
It would be nice to shoot it, but lots of conniving would be involved to get everything together.
Bruce
 
From what I read in my Remington RB books, your rifle is a standard export No.1 model sold to many countries. It's fine condition indicates that it was never issued. My Argentine has some regimental/unit stampings and the same maker's roll marks as yours.

The prices quoted for the Bertram brass are for boxes of 20. Dear, but they will likely outlast you.

Getting the wherewithal together to shoot an obsolete calibre BPCR can be a challenge, but that is part of their charm. Generally, dies, moulds and brass can be had if you're willing to pay he price. Paper patching is where I draw the line. Couldn't be bothered.

A man who lets you shoot his BPCR with bullets he cast/sized/lubed and assembled with expensive dies and brass likes you - a LOT!
 
Sharps '63 said:
From what I read in my Remington RB books, your rifle is a standard export No.1 model sold to many countries. It's fine condition indicates that it was never issued. My Argentine has some regimental/unit stampings and the same maker's roll marks as yours.

The prices quoted for the Bertram brass are for boxes of 20. Dear, but they will likely outlast you.

Getting the wherewithal together to shoot an obsolete calibre BPCR can be a challenge, but that is part of their charm. Generally, dies, moulds and brass can be had if you're willing to pay he price. Paper patching is where I draw the line. Couldn't be bothered.

A man who lets you shoot his BPCR with bullets he cast/sized/lubed and assembled with expensive dies and brass likes you - a LOT!
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Thanks again for the info. Paper punching is what gets me too, and that is almost all I do now.
Yes, there is little doubt that the brass would out live me, as I have already lived longer than most people do, but what the heck, still very enjoyable to go with a friend quadding on the hilly back trails.
I also have an original Springfield Model 84 Trap Door, 45-70, which has been in the family since the early 1930s, that I hunted with when I was a kid and it too, is in excellent plus condition. Since I reload for the 45-70 Marlin, I occasionally shoot the trapdoor. We also have two sons, two grandsons and a grand daughter, all licenced shooters, so those guns will likely stay in the family for a long time, and yes, it would be nice to have the rolling block also shooting.
Bruce
 
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