[65] The Schmidt-Rubin 1889 Rifle 7.5x53.5: Implications of Shooting a Historical Firearm

[@matthewsherman8342]

I have been reloading going on 6 years. A friend of a friend ask me to come up with load for his 7.5x53.5 Swiss SR 1889. I was hesitant, but started doing some research. I get the fact that 53.5 is the trim length of the cartridge. I believe all of my research yielded a good formula using IMR4895 with Hornady 30 CAL.308 180 grain interlock bullets. I just wasn't sure what the COAL should be, and if anything I plan on doing is ill-advised. Thanks in advance.

[@rwcochran8603]

Great video, I am in the process if preparing reloads for my 1893 manufactured (S/N 1277XX). It is all matching with an excellent bore. The firearm was adopted 1889, the cartridge for it was adopted 1890 (GP90) using smokeless powder (first introduced in 1886). 1) The magazine cutoff is disabled simply by a tab/block applied over the magazine release arm preventing it from moving upward. You can remove it and use the magazine cutoff (for history sake). 2) Schmidt designed the action for black powder (hence the locking lugs at the very rear of the bolt sleeve to be far away from the dirty black powder). When it was determined the firearm would be used with smokeless powder, Schmidt refused to modify his design to make it stronger. This didn’t occur until 1896 and not all of the 1889’s were updated. In 1911 there was another update and the 1896’s were able to handle the new GP11 cartridge.

[@sailingalbatross7642]

None of the 1889s were updated; it was impractical to try and change the action from rear- to middle-locking lugs. What was updated was the design, with the 1896 model having the mid-locking lugs, which then stayed the same till the K31 appeared with front-locking lugs. The 1896 was updated around 1911 with a new barrel, chambered for the GP11 cartridge, and renamed 96/11. Once they ran out of 96s to rebarrel, they started producing new ones, named 1911. Pretty cool rifles overall!

[@e1040]

I use a cast 200 grain NOE at.315, powder coated with 55 grains WC860. 2.5 MOA and a foot high at 100 yards.

[@mag318]

These are historic rifles and very innovative when introduced. My LGS "Simpson LTD" import Swiss rifles a couple times a year and I recently acquired one in excellent condition. I agree with everything you say about shooting one go these rifles. I wanted one just for my collection. For a shooter I have a couple of the later K31s. Very nice video.

[@RabbitusMaximus]

lol. many of us reload quite successfully. and accurately.

[@wincheste94r]

Try 33 grains of I!R 4895 with 180 grain .308 plain base not boat tail bullet with bullet long out of the case just touching the rifling. Anneal cases every 3-4 reloads. Do not cot down the brass leave it the original length for 7.5 x 55 Swiss, Shoots accurately and is lower pressure than the original factory ammunition.

[@sailingalbatross7642]

It is impossible to be touching the rifling in an original GP90 chambered rifle, because the freebore is about 0.5" and the forcing cone almost the same, so the rifling starts about 1" from the case neck. But, you are right in that you want to be as far out as possible. The original ammo waa very very long, and had a paper patch that would guide it well while in the free-bore section.

[@wincheste94r]

Yes the paper patch bullet diameter was .321” but the bore . 308 “, so as long as you pretty much bridge the chamber gap the rifle shoots very well. 200 grain .309 “cast gas check bullets also work really well too.

[@williambaird8807]

Want to stop blow by don’t trim the cases .

[@wincheste94r]

@@williambaird8807 You need to anneal the brass every 3 reloads then that will fix the blow back problem.

[@orasinec1468]

Love this setup. I am going to get this one for my self soon. Couple of days I send you an email asking you about your video number 42 fixing the broken Dillon. I tried to find the plastic part my self but had no success. Do you still have some 3d model of the Dillon? It would save me a lot of headache not having to model this. Anyway thank you so much for the content that you are putting out. I use your videos all the time when I want to expand my knowledge in this field. Saves me so much time! Ondra Divis - Czech Republic

[@westcovinadodge]

I use a soft lead 311299 with 2 turns of 8lb onion skin and a .321 sizing die after patching. After you fire form they fit nice. I wish someone made a mold to match the original heeled bullet. I get random light strikes, and haven't figured it out yet. don't give up, that long funnel just needs a bigger bullet to swage down.

[@mckwilly]

Pat !!

[@STEALTH1DAN]

Hi.. you mentioned gunpowder often....smokeless or black?

[@robertjones2811]

smokeless

[@ricric4731]

This is fantastic stuff. I've recently just decided to put one of these on my ticket in the UK and instantly regret it as I can not for love nor money find live rounds or brass. Where did you get the reloading/cartridge information books from. I'm working with the lees big book and struggling.