1889 Swiss case and reloading info ?

[smlemon]

I can tell from Wiki that it's a somewhat different cartridge.

"Experts" vary on what the bullet diameter is.

Has pressure tolerence of a 30-40 Krag.

Would appreciate comments from those with experience with this rifle & cartridge about proper reloading for it.

Thanks !

Information

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[Parashooter]

Bullet diameter of the paper-patched GP90 and GP90/03 rounds was ~.321", including the paper patch. Major diameter of the FMJ bullet in GP90/23 was ~.307". Groove diameters of Schmidt 1889 rifles are reported from .303" to .310"+, but it's a 3-groove barrel and many novices have difficulty measuring the slug.



Cases are the same as GP11 (7.5x55) except for neck length. Handloaders can trim to 54.5mm if desired, but the wide chamber neck and throat allow longer cases to be used safely with .308" jacketed bullets.

[Eaglelord17]

I personally reload for my 1889. My load is a 220grn .308dia Sierra flatbased round nose under 32grns of IMR 3031, in a untrimmed 7.5x55 PPU case (chambers just fine in mine). For primers I just use whatever brand of large rifle primers are cheapest. The OAL for the round was 3.040". I recommend doing your own research and coming to your own conclusions, however this is what has worked for me. I can't speak to the accuracy though, as my front sight was falling off when I shot it, though since I have fixed that, I guess I should make some more up and try it again.

[Eaglelord17]

Well I took my 1889 to test the load out today. I managed to get a roughly 1.5" 3rd group at 100m. Condition wise my 1889 is about as new as a rifle can get for being 120 years old. Very pleasant to shoot, and as you can see, very accurate with the above load.