Rifleman Q&A: 1871 Mauser Munitions

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posted on January 14, 2023
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Mauser M71

Q: I have an old Mauser M71 and need help understanding what ammunition it is designed to use. I see many different designations published similar to the 11x60 mm R that I believe it is chambered for. Can you help?


A: The appropriate ammunition for your Mauser M71 is known by a number of names, including 11x60 mm R, 11.15x60 mm R, 11 mm Mauser and .43 Mauser. There were quite a number of similarly sized (mostly military) cartridges developed during the last half of the 19th century that feature similar nomenclatures, such as: 11x59 mm R French Gras, 11.15x58 mm R Spanish, 11.15x58 mm R Austrian Werndl, .43 Spanish, .43 Egyptian and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, readily available sources for the ammunition you seek are not plentiful. 

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