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As best I can determine this double is from the 1870's or perhaps, 1880's. It is chambered in 11.15 X 60R and I would have to slug the bore again to know the groove dimeter....or check my bullet sizing dies. I believe I size cast to .446 or .448. This was my first double rifle bought in the early 1990's and without Grahame Wright's book, "Shooting the British Double Rifle" I don't know I ever would have found a regulating load. Over 6 months, 3 bullet molds and who knows how many different charges and varieties of black powder I finally came across a load that would regulate. I used the Lyman .446 bullet for the "43 Mauser" at a nominal 350 grs. over 63 or 68 grs., (I forgot, it's written down), of the old GOEX Cartridge BP on top of 5 grs. of SR-4759. That load is consistent to 2-3 inches, composite group, at 65 yards, open sights with the rifle held, not rested but, from a sitting position. Certainly "minute of deer." Prior to trying and confirming that load groups rarely shot less than 6 inches and did every dido an old double is capable of. I had about given up. I blame this rifle as being my doctoral thesis and providing my Phd in handloading. Even with later turning and forming cases for rifles, none were as challenging as this first double rifle.
As GOEX is now out of business and Cartridge hasn't been available for decades I had to find a different powder. I expect Swiss could be made to work but it is prohibitively expensive. GOEX Old Eyensford DID work but.....there's the GOEX thing again. I have a surfeit of Schuetzen Ffg and Fffg. Duplexed over SR-4759, Ffg Schuetzen gives near identical results to the old GOEX cartridge. So, I'm set for life.
I have since acquired better, more powerful and more accurate doubles, (but not by much!!). However, this first old Goldmann will be setting in my safe with my Shiloh Sharps when all others are gone. I thought I had more pictures but they must be on my desk top computer.
P1010012 (2).jpg
P1010014 (3).jpg
As GOEX is now out of business and Cartridge hasn't been available for decades I had to find a different powder. I expect Swiss could be made to work but it is prohibitively expensive. GOEX Old Eyensford DID work but.....there's the GOEX thing again. I have a surfeit of Schuetzen Ffg and Fffg. Duplexed over SR-4759, Ffg Schuetzen gives near identical results to the old GOEX cartridge. So, I'm set for life.
I have since acquired better, more powerful and more accurate doubles, (but not by much!!). However, this first old Goldmann will be setting in my safe with my Shiloh Sharps when all others are gone. I thought I had more pictures but they must be on my desk top computer.
P1010012 (2).jpg
P1010014 (3).jpg
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