43 Mauser / 11mm Mauser

The antique 11 Mauser is the first in the series of Mauser cartridges and rifles that lead to the 8×57 and M98 Mauser rifle.

The 43 Mauser, or 11 Mauser or more specifically the 11.15 x 60R/M71 cartridge was designed originally for use in the single shot 1871 Mauser rifle and then later the 71/84 repeater. We were fortunate in Canada that CIL loaded this round until they were shut down by IVI in the early 80’s, since you can still sometimes find ammo for it. Boxes of CIL ammunition are now in the collector realm and it is hard to justify shooting it, although it generally works well.

The big 43 Mauser cartridge and the rifle it was chambered in, combine good accuracy with very modest recoil. Even today, rifles for the 11mm Mauser can be readily found in their original military configuration as well as sporterized versions. Unlike some antique rifles, the 71/84 rifles generally have excellent bores and loading is easy. If you are not looking for an original rifle, sporterized ones are often to be had for a fraction of the price of a military one.

Compared to other rounds of the period, the 11 Mauser is one antique cartridge that has held up well, compared to its peers.

Contemporary cartridges for other common antique rifles, the 577/450 Martini Henry; 11mm Mauser and 577 Snider. The 0.446″ diameter Mauser bullet is comparable to the 0.458″ M-H bullet.

With a tubular magazine, the 71/84 should be loaded with flat nosed bullets to eliminate the potential for rounds in the magazine being set off and most bullets will have this feature. If you are shooting the single shot 1871 Mauser, then the bullet profile does not matter. Original military ammunition features paper patched bullets but commercial rounds, like this CIL one (shown above), were loaded with grooved bullets.

Although it was a blackpowder round, modern powders make clean-up simpler. Trail Boss is ideal and while matching original ballistics, makes maintenance of the rifle much easier, since normal powder solvents can be used after a day at the range.