Original loading for 11.15x52R LK Express

[Karl]

Does anyone have any information on the original black powder loading -- bullet weight and powder charge -- for the 11.15x52R LK Express?

[fuhrmann]

I have had the same question some years ago for a cartridge named 11,2x51R Kropatschek-Heissig.
The answer was: There are very few load data and ballistical data to be found in original sources. And if there are data they are difficult to compare because the current cartridge names were not used back then.
I have found one table dated 1900 with says for caliber 11 / 11.15 mm, case slightly conical, case length not given:
2 different bullets, weight 19,5 g and 20,6 g, loaded with 4 g black powder (Nassbrandpulver)

fuhrmann

[Karl]

That's very useful! The loads are what I suspected based on my experience with American cartridges of the era. In my original 1874 Sharps chambered for the .40-70 BN Sharps I load 330 grain paper patched bullets and 68-70 grains FFG. I converted .410 brass shotshells by shortening to 52 mm and thinnng the rim -- they fit the 11.15x52R LK chamber perfectly. I loaded .432 diameter 280 gr. lead gas check bullets and 58 grains FFG in the 11.15x52R. Yesterday at 25 yards it grouped three shots into a 3" circle from a J.P. Sauer hammer drilling made in 1891. I plan to test 315 grain bullets this spring when it warms up. I'll collect velocity data and do more extensive load development. Although, the 280 grain load is just fine, I love to develop loads! Thanks very much!!

[sharps4590]

Measure your twist and run the Greenhill formula. That will give you the bullet length from which you can extrapolate bullet weight.

[fuhrmann]

Karl,
I checked my notes, about 25 years ago, and indeed I started with 295 grain bullets cast from an old 11,15 mm mold, and 60 to 70 grains of Swiss blackpowder.
The 11,2x51R cartridge is bottlenecked, based on the .43 Mauser, so it will have some more volume than your 11,15x52R LK.
Those loads were promising but I decided then to go away from black powder and use SR4759.

[mike ford]

I hardly ever shoot black powder in my cartridge rifles, but some that do suggest filling a case to where the base of the bullet would be (lightly compacted) and weigh that charge. As fuhrmann mentioned, the original data is very hard to find. Nost of my references pertain to IDing unknown cartridges and contain no or little loading data, Absent the data, about the best I can do is make the bullet "follow" the sights, which requires knowledge or a good guess of the bullet weight. Sorry.
Mike

[Karl]

Thanks everyone for all the good common sense and confirming information. I'm very experienced loading black powder cartridges (and smokeless) and experimenting with duplex loads -- these include .40-70 Sharps BN, .45-70, 32-40, 44-40, .45 Colt, 38-55, and .500 BPE. I load black powder in brass shotshells and use them in my hammer doubles that include Purdey made 1862, Boss made 1866, Charles Lancaster made 1867, Woodward made circa 1880, and Henry Holland made 1875. I enjoy bird hunting with black powder guns, both cartridge and muzzle loaders, especially historic guns. It adds to my enjoyment of the hunt. For example, my Boss was built for the Lord Chancellor of England. Attached photo is of me firing my Purdey. I've been reloading since 12 years old (65 years -- I'm an old codger!) and keep detailed records. I record velocity and sometimes pressure. Photo of my field testing set up attached. Unfortunately the manufacturer of the pressure device I use closed shop about 3 years ago. However, I have a supply of pressure sensors and I can purchase more on the commercial market. I'm attuned to reading the signs of excess pressure -- I aim for accuracy and performance and not the highest possible velocity. I'm not going to record pressure for the drilling, but will record velocity with a nifty Garmin chronograph I recently purchased that fits in the palm of your hand and tracks the bullet using radar. The twist is 1:22. Yes, filling the case to the base of the bullet is a good rule of thumb. I have experimented with compacting the powder with my .40-70 Sharps BN. I'll post updates on my results. Thanks again for knowledgable responses!!