1871 mauser shootting all over?? advice please

[tony1]

I have brought a 1871 mauser which have shoot twice at 100 meters
I find I have a spread of about 10" + circle even allowing I am not the best shot around, I would still expect a smaller circle of hits.
all so it always tends to shoot to the left and I can not see any way of adjusting the front site like you can with 1871/84 front sight.
I use 70g of black powder and a .446 lead bullet.
any advice or help from the experts will be greatfully recieved.

Thanks Tony

Information

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[duckcreekdick]

There are a lot of variables involved here. I assume the bore is in decent shape. First, I would slug the bore to get an idea of bore diameter and then begin with a bullet about .002-.003 larger, cast from a softer alloy to allow the bullet to "bump" up to bore diameter. You probably will not use a gas check on the base of the bullet, but I would use a card wad to protect the base of the bullet and also use a good bullet lube like SPG. My friend has an 1871 and reloads for it. I'll ask him for his formula next time I see him. Best of luck in the meantime.

[Patrick Chadwick]

tony1,

you are right to ask for advice. A '71 in good shape should halve that group size.

If you enter "to carry on" in the search box (search option is at top right of this screen) you will find a thread entitled "To carry on where we left off...".
This thread, a continuation of a thread started on an old forum, covers the subject of the "care and feeding" of M1871s in some detail. I think I provided a basic recipe for a satisfactory '71 load, and the fact that your rifle is hitting hard left certainly suggests that at least one of the factors covered in this thread could be improved.

But the first priority is to get a good group, regardess of where it is on the target. When the load setup gives you a good group, you may well find that the position on the target is also better. I say load setup, because there is a lot more to it than the number of grains of powder.

To save me repeating a lot, I recommend that you read this thread right through, evaluate your rifle and ammo setup accordingly, and then come back if you are still puzzled, or the recipe has not worked for your rifle.

Patrick

[jmoore]

Link below:

To carry on where we left off...Smokeless in a Mauser M1871 or 71/84 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums -click on the underlined bit

That should get you to the discussion.( It actually makes a new page on top of this one...)