m.81 swiss vetterli

[STELLA]

Figure mine was built about 1887 as blackpowder rimfire with tube magazine. Just got the centerfire conversion done and had 100 rnds made up. Brought this thing 6 years ago and only have it refinished. Looking to hit he range here soon to test it out. Anyone shoot one of this rifles.

[jmichna]

Neat looking rifle. What caliber does it shoot? Can you provide more detail on the conversion?

[STELLA]

Originally it was 10.4x38mm (.41) Swiss rimfire blackpowder cartridge.
The conversion is pretty simple. The rimfire firing pin is actually 2 pieces, a long striker rod and a fork-like striker. Basically remove striker rod and forked striker from bolt, drill bolt face to make firing pin hole like standard centerfire, and braze a pin to the striker rod long enough to protrude thru firing pin hole. The nice thing about this is that it can all be put back to original fairly easily.
I had a guy do the bolt conversion which cost $50 then had him load 100 rnds($150) using reformed 8mm lebel brass with alliant 2400 powder and flatnose lead bullet which is in the neighborhood of 1350fps. Close enough to the factory blackpowder spec. of 1425 fps. This site alot of good info on the rifles Vetterli Series

P.S. there are various ways of making the firing pin setup such as using a wide piece of zip tie and and decapping pin.

[jmichna]

Thank you. Look forward to a range report to see what the old gal can do.

[wakesetter]

That's cool.
I have I believe the same model in my safe. I inherited it from my grandpa who brought it from Sweden (immigrated) on one of his many trips back from the old Country.
A few years ago I looked up the serial # and I think it was in the late 1880s series. I read a little about the center fire conversion back then on the Swiss rifle sight,interesting for sure. Wish I had the bayonet,that thing would be about 6' long!
I gave it a good cleaning and coat of barricade and stuck it back in the safe for my future grand kids.

Have fun with it.

Edit;
Looking at your picture,my cleaning rod sticks out just as far as the barrel,did you remove yours, different style or did it not come with one?
Just got home and checked,mines a M-78, circa 1884

[STELLA]

Mine did not come with a cleaning rod when I bought it. Hoping to get to the range soon but it's been a little on the cold side lately.

[STELLA]

Well the old girl can definitely snort some fire again. Took her out to the range today finally and all I can say is a "grin from ear to ear". My first 2 shots were over the chrony to see what speed I was working with 1-1357 2-1320. Factory speed is 1450. Bullet is 316.5 gr lead with copper gas check, diameter is .430" and length is .869" and approx. 18.5 gr alliant 2400 powder. This is darn near perfect for me as I don't want to be shooting full powder loads in this considering the age (125yrs) and the fact that it is designed for blackpowder. I only fired another 17 rnds just too just use to it and see how it felt. The cycling of the action is a little sticking at the end of the bolt pull which I should be able to remedy by polishing the bolt, I suspect this wasn't used much if at all. Loading is kind of slow due to design. A little on the heavy side towards the front due to length of barrel. Took some aimed shots at a metal cylinder about 8" width and 1 foot tall at 150 yards and actually hit it a few times even tho I was dealing with a 15mph cross wind. Had to bury the front sight to the bottom of the rear v-notch sight to get the hits.

When I go to reload for this I may go with original blackpowder and non gas check bullet.

Total investment in rifle is $200+$50 for conversion and $165 for 100 rnds, not bad at all.