Vol423,
The first thing to do is to determine the actual cartridge the rifle is chambered for. If it is actually chambered for 43 Mauser (11.15x60R), the last commercial cartridges I know of are the ones by Dominion CIL from Canada. They are no longer loaded but are still sometimes found in older gun stores or larger gun shows. They are usually only found 1 or 2 boxes at a time and are expensive when you do find them. Also, the CIL cases are of the "balloon head" type, which require special procedures to prevent, or at least slow down case head separation. If you can't find any ammo, the best way is to load your own. Bell made cases (solid head), but they are also hard to find. Cases can be made from 45-90 Winchester. It is fortunate that some black powder silhouette shooters created enough demand that Starline makes 45-90 cases, from time to time. The 43 Mauser cases have an unusual base, known as the "Mauser Base", but the 45-90 case head can be reformed (with a good bit of work) to approximate the Mauser Base. By case forming carefully to locate the shoulder to headspace on it, instead of the rim, the 45-90 cases can be used without reforming the head. The 45-90 rims will need to be reduced in diameter, however.
If a chamber cast shows the rifle is not 11.15x60R, but one of the many cartridges based on the Mauser base case, you won't be able to find ammo (black powder, nor nitro) and will have to load your own or find a custom handloader. If the actual cartridge uses a case shorter than 52mm long with a Mauser base, you can make them from 45-70 or 40-65 cases instead of 45-90.
Good luck,
Mike
Last edited by Der Ami; 09/02/24 09:38 AM.
