Werder Carbine Accuracy

[villiers]

I realise that there arenīt many Werders out there, so interest will not be excessive. But Iīve had the Werder for over a year now and itīs just beginning to show what it can do. The first months were frustrating. Loading the cases was anything but successful and I couldnīt even hit the large target at 50 metres. But things have suddenly worked out. Iīve now found a perfect load and found out most of the things that went wrong. The carbineīs only 80 cm long, but is even more accurate than my LE No. 5. The last three round group at the top of the 10 inch target at 100 metres was the latest achievement. So it was not the weapon. It was me.

[Richardwv]

Finding what works can be one of the most frustrating....but also most rewarding part of the hobby. I've beat my head against the wall on some of the more odd ball ones for 100s of rounds before homing in on a workable load....and of course fine tuning it to your rifle is something that is ongoing for as long as it holds your interest. There are likely more Werder rifles/carbines out there than you might suspect, but most are gathering dust for want of a ready source of decent ammo. It never ceases to amaze me the number of individuals that collect antique arms that have no interest in making the ammo for them and getting them back on the range.

[RCEMERalf]

Villiers, that is awesome! I sold my Werder rifle a few years ago, but am interested in your successful load. Might you share with us how you put this together? Any advice for loading the pistol? Thanks.

[villiers]

Villiers, that is awesome! I sold my Werder rifle a few years ago, but am interested in your successful load. Might you share with us how you put this together? Any advice for loading the pistol? Thanks.

The Werder pistol shares the same ammunition (11.5x35R Werder). The original bullet was 22.0 grammes (339.5 grains). I cerrocast the breech and barrel at both ends and had a mold made to the dimensions (so havenīt sized the bullets). My bullets come out at 25,3 grammes (390.4 grains). Iīve been advised to weigh each bullet after casting and reject any that arenīt within weight limits (but havenīt done that yet). The problem with the trapdoor is that the bullet has to come up to the grooves, but even the slightest pressure (length or carbon deposit) stops the ramp from closing the breech. I found that grease between the charge and the bullet seems to stick to the base of the bullet and it then goes wild. There definitely must be a paper (cork) .45 wad between the grease and the base of the bullet.

The original load was 2.5 grammes (38.58 grains) but thereīs then insufficient space for the grease etc. and the bullet goes far over the top of the target at 100 yards. I use 17 grains of No. 2 BP + 2/3rds of a .45 cleaning felt patch with the grease between a .45 cork disk and the bullet. The finished round is then sized, as some of them have expanded necks from inserting the bullets and wouldnīt fit in the breech otherwise. Even with the reduced load, I had to get hold of a higher front sight blade.

It might sound like more work than is worthwhile but itīs now all come together and Iīll try increasing the charge for 300 metres (yards). The point is that all the advice Iīve been given as to the lack of accuracy of the Werder is most likely due to re-loading. The Werder barrel is firmly attached to the stock at both ends and is completely separated from the action (that can easily be removed for cleaning), so that all the problems of a standard, bolt action rifle (bedding etc) do not arise. My admiration for Bavarian technology has increased no end.