So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store....

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2ndovc
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So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store....

Post by 2ndovc »

I stopped by the store that my wonderful wife bought the FN 49 I got for Christmas to return the case she brought it home in and I spot this dusty, dirty thing leaning against the counter.

"Whatcha got back there?", I asked. He says they don't know, waiting for some "expert" to stop and tell them what it is.
First thought was a 1871 Mauser until I saw the bolt handle.

An 1882 Russian Berdan II, 10.75x58r in really good ( but very dirty) shape. I asked how much and they didn't know yet as they hadn't made an offer to the little old lady that brought it in. Well call me when you figure it out.
Around 7:00 my buddy calls me and says "How's $275 sound? " I'll pick it up tomorrow!

I sent some photos that night to a friend of mine knows this stuff better than I do and says I got a real deal, should be $7-800 in this condition and a good bore is rare for these old BP puppies. :D

I picket up Saturday and their "expert" had been in and said it was a Polish Mauser, some expert.

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Anyone got some 10.75x58r lying around they want to part with?

jb 8)
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harry
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by harry »

Cut and paste from another site:
The 10.75x58r Berdan cartridge is not interchangeable with any other cartridge. The military load was 77grains of blackpowder with a 370gr. lead round nosed paper patched bullet. Bullet diameter without the patch is .422, with the patch it measures about .427.

There is no commercially loaded ammunition available.

If you want to load it yourself here are some suggestions:

Bertram .43 Spanish cases (NOT the "reformado" .43) will work if fireformed.

Buffalo Arms manufactures and sells cases for the Berdan out of .348 Winchester cases, and also sell correct dies (made by C&H). Last I checked, they also have some swaged pure lead paper patch bullets that are 350 grains, in .422 diameter, and can be patched up to the correct diameter.

AFAIK no correct diameter and weight bullet cast bullet moulds are made commercially for this caliber. 43 Spanish and Mauser bullets are way too big in diameter at .439 and .442" It might be possible to use a very heavy (+ 300 grain) .44 pistol bullet,, moulded with pure lead or a very soft alloy, and sized to .427-428". Hard cast alloys will NOT work well in the Berdan, as the throat dimensions and deep land & groove dimensions are designed for a soft lead bullet to obturate, i.e. bump up, on firing. Also, a black powder bullet lube like SPG must be used instead of hard smokeless lubes. A lube cookie must be used under the pp bullet.

I had a custom paper patch bullet mold made a few years ago that duplicates the original Russian bullet. Using Buffalo Arms cases and 75 grains of Goex fffg blackpowder I get muzzle velocities of 1440 fps, very close to the original military load. Typically I get 3-4" groups at 100 yds.

The Berdan was not designed to be fired with smokeless powder! Use blackpowder or a BP substitute powder like Pyrodex CTG. (The ONLY locking lug for the bolt is the bolt handle itself.)
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2ndovc
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by 2ndovc »

Harry, thanks for the info!!

I did know that smokeless powder in one of these would be a no no.
I doubt I'll ever shoot it. It just fits in with my other Russian stuff.
But I may give it a try some day. I've never done paper patched bullets, but that could change at
any time. :D

jb 8)
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by Hobie »

Now that was a fortunate stop indeed!
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Old Savage
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by Old Savage »

Sure to be on Diane's banned list.
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86er
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by 86er »

Ah, you gotta shoot it! Then report the results!
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2ndovc
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by 2ndovc »

86er wrote:Ah, you gotta shoot it! Then report the results!

I will, one of these days when the voices in my head will take over. :D

jb 8)
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Bill in Oregon
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by Bill in Oregon »

That's beyond lucky! I hope you bought lottery tickets on your way home, bro!
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model55
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by model55 »

No pics on the Fn 1949?Never mind found it!Two good looking guns!
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cas
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by cas »

Ah… a rifle like Dersu Uzala! 8)
Slow is just slow.
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2ndovc
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by 2ndovc »

cas wrote:Ah… a rifle like Dersu Uzala! 8)

:D
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by awp101 »

Nice score! :mrgreen: So when are we trading for it? :wink: :lol:
cas wrote:Ah… a rifle like Dersu Uzala! 8)
I thought the name was familiar so I had to look that one up. :lol: Within the past couple of years I saw the last half or so of the 1975 version. :mrgreen:
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DBW
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by DBW »

Old Savage wrote:Sure to be on Diane's banned list.
Aren't they all. :roll:
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2ndovc
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Re: So this Russian Berdan II follows me home from the store

Post by 2ndovc »

awp101 wrote:Nice score! :mrgreen: So when are we trading for it? :wink: :lol:
cas wrote:Ah… a rifle like Dersu Uzala! 8)
I thought the name was familiar so I had to look that one up. :lol: Within the past couple of years I saw the last half or so of the 1975 version. :mrgreen:
Great movie! I had a copy and loaned it to my Dad. He lost if somewhere on his trek through the Caribbean.

jb 8)
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