Reloading the 11mm french revolver - kit pics 5dec

[Pony Racer]

Pards and pardettes while I await my french 11mm reloading kit - I have been shooting some reloads from GAD Ammunition - very high quality reloader with a wealth of knowledge and seemingly no end to what calibers he will do.

However, I have made with a 45acp seating die some ball cartridges.

You take the brass, put in large pistol primer and then I have two different loads to try

1. 1cc of 2f APP with a .445 44 caliber ball right on top of APP.

2. .7cc of 2f APP with a lube cookie and then the .445 44 caliber ball on top.

I may try another 5 round set-up using 3f - since I think I could get in 1cc of 3f and the lube cookie.

I hope to test this out in another week or so.

If it works good, will use this method most of the time and use my actuall 11mm french bullets sparingly - due to the cost differences.

The 44 SW/Spec dies would not seat the bullet due to height.

The 45 acp die works perfect.

I'll report on how the shoot when I get a chance.

PR

[Pony Racer]

Here are some french reloading kit pics with a piece of brass and frenchie bullet.

nice little kit







the two skinny metal rods are for seating and removing primers

Bigger pieces left to right are the sleeve and crimper, the bottom piece used for holding sll while loading and for depriming, and the bullet seater.

PR

[Pony Racer]

Pic of ball cartridge side by side with french cartridge.

Bummer is the french bullet cartridge, made with usa 44sw brass retrofitted to 11 french, does not fit my guns at all

It appears that either their bullet is not sized properly or their brass is much thinner.

Their bullet is meant for their brass - so oh well - if it works in their brass I will just go through the french bullets slowly - while I shoot mostly .445 ball ammo.

My ball ammo fits gun perfectly.

Pic

[Arcey]

PR, thinkin' if you work the round ball load you'll end up likin' it. Mine are way more accurate than I'm able to shoot 'em. Nutmegger is workin' his up now for his .44 Magnums.

Talk ta you about it Sunday if ya want. The discussion tends ta upset some folks on here.

[Pony Racer]

Arcey I find that funny.

Most of the authorities on this cartridge and gun - say either learn how to reload the funky outside lubed swc or hollow based bullet or use the 44 caliber lead balls for C&B guns.

The rifling on the pistols is an old style of hexagonal type - where there are really no lands and grooves like what you would expect which lends itself really perfectly to the ball.

The guy who owns GAD reloading, the Buffalo brothers owner and my new french friends from H&L publishing (1873 ebook) all concur with my T&E of the ball ammo, size of the ball (some size up to .454 so my use of .445 is very safe), and my use of APP.

Anyway I got 2 styles of 2f to try and one of 3f to try with the ball ammo.

Was going to try the french bullets too but again they do not fit the guns chambers.

May see if I can try them out next sunday before or after my training class.

PR

[Arcey]

If it were mine I'd want it to chamber without havin' to sweat it. If ya can get by with the RBs as it is yer ahead of the game. If not 'n ya got a bullet ta fit the bore but the cartridge won't chamber, I'd take it to Nate for a reamin'. Prolly won't amount to a thousandth or three.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

PR, also, iffn you're not fond of the idea of reaming the gun, you might consider getting a cheapo Lee "C" press (about $22 @ Midway) and getting the sizing dies ($12 to $14, if I remember right)  to make those bullets fit.  You can resize 'em pretty easy down .002" or .003", but if it's a LOT, like .005" or .006" that's needed, then make it a 2 step process with 2 sizing dies and run 'em 'thru twice.  Catch my idea?  At least those lead pills wouldn't go to waste.

[Arcey]

My mold is .365. I run the balls thru a Lee .358 sizin' die. They'll run thru easier if I put 'em in a zip lock bag, squirt a little Lee liquid alox on 'em 'n roll 'em around to get a good coat.

They're slow goin' ta load but I'm here ta tell ya nothin' shoots as well outtah the pistols. One these days I'm gonna see if the rifles will cycle the things.

[Pony Racer]

SHB and Arcey thanks for the ideas.  I may have to get some of that alox stuff - the guy from Gad coats the lead on his 11mm french loads after loading cartidge.

SHB - I'll try the french brass first - if I get same issue then I will resize  hey I got two open slots on my reloading bench.  I thin a good single stage for my 43 spanish rounds and that resizer sounds about right!!

Hey Arcey want to help me test the ball cartridges out before or after trainng on sunday in wakefield??

[Arcey]

I'd like that, PR, if we can get on the range.

Don't let me ferget I gottah mold for ya in the truck.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Sounds good!  Progress is gettin' made.  Shoot - Arcey, I didn't know you could resize them that much - but then again, I've only tried it on the little Lee press I bought for resizing.  It'd probably be a lot easier if I use my Bonanza!

[Pony Racer]

wahhhhhhhhhoooooo, finally tested out my frenchie 44 ball loads

The 1cc of 3f app or 2f app load had a nice rapport and hit solidly point of aim dead center CAS pistol target distance.

The .7cc 2f app with lub cookie was accurate but shot low and did not have that loud rapport as the other two.

My frenchie 11mm load will be using resized 44sw brass or french 11mm brass:

1cc of 2f app (I have more 2f then 3f)on top of .445 sized 44 ball.

PR

[litl rooster]

You get enny pictures?

[Lucky Irish Tom]

We want pictures, We want pictures,We want pictures,We want pictures,We want pictures! 

[Sod Buster]

Yeah...what he said.....

We want pictures.

[sundance44`s]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words ...

[Pony Racer]

I'll load more up and take some pics at my parents farm!!

Sorry barely had time to test them out.

PR

[Hoof Hearted]

Howdy PR

If you have time and a phone, you might wanna call Bernie Rowles at Old West Moulds. He is a fountain of information and equipment for casting, sizing and shooting Heel base ammo. Here is his web page:

http://www.oldwestbulletmoulds.com/

Good shootin!

[Pony Racer]

HH - have you talked with him recently i have called and emailed twice with no joy in getting any communication?

I am interested in his bullets and molds

PR