Talk:43 Spanish
43 Spanish Snap Caps Training + Rattling & Black Options .43-77 Peabody 11mm
Contents
SOURCES: ammo, dummy loads, cases, etc
Smokeless Ammo
- PCI .43 Spanish 370 Gr. Round Nose Lead- Box of 20
- Load-X .43 Spanish 370gr RN 1350 1497 $95.00/50rnds Dec 2023
Reloading Supplies
- Cartridge Case,.43 Spanish Remington Rolling Block,unprimed brass, correct headstamp,use large rifle primer, each
- Jamison Brass 43 Spanish Bag of 20 at Midwayusa
- Lee Full length 2-Die set .43 Spanish at battlehawkarmory
Dummy Caps
Which ammo for which model Rolling Block?
There were many 43 Spanish loadings. The most popular was the 11.15x58Rmm for the 1879 Argentine model but there were many others. The original version was the 11.5x57Rmm Reformato. The 11.43x50Rmm, 43 Egyptian. The 11.4x50Rmm Brazilian Comblain M74. The 11.7x51 Danish.
These were all called 43 caliber cartridges.
Shooting the 43 Spanish Rolling Block
There is a book titled "Shooting the 43 Spanish Rolling Block"
43 Spanish was at one time more plentiful and cheaper in the US than 45-70 was at the same time. That is no longer the case.
43 Spanish Reformado chambering
there are two versions of the Reformado, one is the true .43 Spanish Reformado, with original cartridges and a .451" diameter brass jacketed bullet. The other Reformado is a true .43 Spanish that has been rechambered with the barrel left the same size as the original .43 Spanish (11.15 x 58R) which uses a .439" diameter lead bullet.
Remington rolling blocks in .43 Spanish can have bore (groove) diameters that vary from .439 all the way up to .445 and occasional .450. Apparently Remington workers were not too careful about which barrels they were screwing into receivers on large contracts to South American countries. Remington was also selling their version of .44-77 which was very similar cartridge case but .445 bullet. Slug the bore if you intend on shooting the gun. I
Blackpowder Cartridge Article
The .43 Reformado was brought out. It was a straight-walled case and used a .454-inch diameter bullet weighing 396 grains; 74 grains of powder propelled the bullet 1,280 fps.
In many areas, the .43 Spanish was regarded as useful ordnance as late as 1910.
The Paris Exposition of 1867 declared the rolling block “the finest rifle in the world” at that time, giving it a silver medal. An experienced shooter could fire over 15 rounds per minute, which was exceptional for that period.
The .43 Spanish rounds were pretty typical for that period of time. It is a hard-hitting round and is effective at close to moderate ranges. It is very similar in power to the 11x60 Mauser round, although they are not interchangeable. Bullet weights usually go from 370 to 385 grains, though some other weights can be found or made.
While black powder was the propellant in use, the strong action allows use of moderate charges of smokeless powder.
One can purchase .43 Spanish brass from reliable sources, such as Buffalo Arms or Dixie Gun Works. Jamison Brass produces cases for the .43 Spanish, and they are good quality items. For the non-reloader, loaded ammunition is also available from these sources. If one likes a challenge, the .43 Spanish can be made from .348 WCF brass. Special equipment is needed, because the .348 has to be swaged down, which takes some real leverage to accomplish.
The normal diameter for the bullet is .439 inch, although you should slug your bore, as variations do exist.
.43 Spanish or .43 Spanish Reformado?
if you bought some of the reformo to form brass it wont work. Or at least not in my rifle and its a rolling block. I did find a good use for the reformo brass through trial and much error - they form well in the 11mm Beaumont. I use 452 bullets in both - I have a lee press thru sizer that I opened up with a drill and sandpaper to get the diameter I needed for both. the Beaumont will shoot the 452 but they group like crud. Also in my case Trailboss is my friend.
The Spanish sizing die is polished out to 449 or real close. I started with a .430 and just polished it out until I got to there and the rifle shot ok groups.
Please don't mention that effing "Shooting the .43 Spanish Rolling Block" book by Croft Barker. It is not available, no one listing it as a resource actually has it. No one who may have it is willing to quote it.
Amazon has the book, but it's quite expensive: www.amazon.com/Shooting-43-Spanish-Rolling-Block/dp/0971512833
the reason BP loads are measured by volume is because you CANNOT have airspace in a BP cartridge. Whatever volume is required to fill a case at a given bullet and seating depth is the minimum safe charge. The maximum safe charge depends on how much you can compress the powder down to where it fits the same volume. Measuring by weight for BP is a recipe for disaster.
.43 Spanish vs. 11.4mm Reformado
Argentina, Uruguay never adopted or used the Spanish army's Reformado caliber is 11.15x58R. It is a bottle-necked cartridge with a max. case length of 2.255 inches/ 57.28mm, and an overall cartridge length of 2.845 inches/72.26mm The bullet diameter is .439" or 11.15 not 11.4.
