1879 Reichsrevolver shooting

[Warrior1354]

Well, last month I purchased a 1879 reichsrevolver. That actually went pretty cheap, but the grips are incorrect unfortunately. Hopefully, I'll find the correct grips for it in the future.

Anyway I contacted my buddy Joe and he figured out the proper load for these pistols. He did have to order a special bullet mold for it though. Luckily he found one on Ebay. Finding the brass cases for loading this cartridge. Which is using the 44 Russian, is pretty reasonable. Finding the proper bullet mold that's a different story.

Lucky for me. Joe, had these cases on hand. Plus, he had a good supply of the proper black powder for loading this cartridge. I'm hoping next weekend. I can make some proper smoke with it! So we'll give a proper range report.

As always, I appreciate his hard work. He really does keep these old girls shooting!

 

[LoadMan8x57]

That’s sweet man! Love to see people making obsolete BP ammo. Do you know how he is sizing the cases? Is it just a standard 44 Russian sizing die that will get you to the proper 11mm German Ordnance dimensions?

 

[Warrior1354]

I'm pretty sure he did not have any issues with the 44 Russian cases. The only hiccups was finding the correct bullet mold. I will ask him tonight for all the details with loading this cartridge.

 

[Warrior1354]

That’s sweet man! Love to see people making obsolete BP ammo. Do you know how he is sizing the cases? Is it just a standard 44 Russian sizing die that will get you to the proper 11mm German Ordnance dimensions?

Here is the load data from my buddy

He did not have to resize the brass. It measured correct diameter with his original examples of this cartridge. The load data was a large pistol magnum MACH primer, and 20 grains of FFF BP compressed. The lead bullet is 265 grains in weight with the gas check. These cartridges dropped perfectly in the cylinder of my revolver as well. The mold he used Saeco Bullet mold 4 cavity #432

Also here's a picture of a couple of his original cartridges next to the 44 Russian. They are the same dimensions and the same neck size too. The loading data he actually got from original books on these obsolete cartridges from the early 1900s. He uses some of these books to get me the proper 30 Army load for my krag rifles and carbines. Because of his ammunition some of my rifles have outstanding accuracy now.

 

[LoadMan8x57]

Here is the load data from my buddy

He did not have to resize the brass. It measured correct diameter with his original examples of this cartridge. The load data was a large pistol magnum MACH primer, and 20 grains of FFF BP compressed. The lead bullet is 265 grains in weight with the gas check. These cartridges dropped perfectly in the cylinder of my revolver as well.

Thanks! Going to jot this down in my reloading notebook. I just got a chamelot delvine which chambers a similar 11mm BP cartridge. I want a reichsrevolver though, and more German handguns in general, all I seem to find is Lugers.

 

[MichaelWC]

Jordan, do you know what type of black powder or the name of the powder manufacture your friend used? I am asking because I am a black powder nerd.

 

[Warrior1354]

Jordan, do you know what type of black powder or the name of the powder manufacture your friend used? I am asking because I am a black powder nerd.

He used British Meteor Brand for the Reichsrevolver ammunition he loaded for me.

 

[MichaelWC]

He used British Meteor Brand for the Reichsrevolver ammunition he loaded for me.

Very nice. I am not really sure if Meteor is still in production but it is some good powder. I know back in the 70s. It used to be made in Scotland.

 

[Warrior1354]

Very nice. I am not really sure if Meteor is still in production but it is some good powder. I know back in the 70s. It used to be made in Scotland.

Yeah they've been out of business for quite awhile. My buddy ended up with quite a bit of black powder throughout the years. Now he's starting to find a use for it lol.

 

[OzzMan]

I’ve got some loaded up with 17 grains of Goex 3F. I don’t have the correct weight bullet but it should still go bang nonetheless. Im using cream of wheat/grits as a filler material.

 

[Warrior1354]

I’ve got some loaded up with 17 grains of Goex 3F. I don’t have the correct weight bullet but it should still go bang nonetheless. Im using cream of wheat/grits as a filler material.

It's totally gonna be fun regardless. I'm very excited to do this!

 

[Warrior1354]

These pistols make some smoke and flame!

 

[OzzMan]

My loads were a tad lighter. Still a mini-flamethrower though!

 

[Warrior1354]

My loads were a tad lighter. Still a mini-flamethrower though!

Still awesome!

 

[Warrior1354]

It really was a fun way to celebrate the fourth of july!