Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard
11x59mm Gras
France's main battle rifle cartridge through the Franco-Prussian War era.
- Caliber
- 0.4461″ · 11.33 mm
- Introduced
- 1874
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military (Historical)
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1874
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- France
- Inventor
- Basile Gras
- Manufacturer
- French State Arsenal (Châtellerault)
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 72 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:26
- Primer
- Berdan
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 20,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 14–18 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 11x59mm Gras — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.33 | 0.446 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.78 | 0.464 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 8.7° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.78 | 0.543 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.76 | 0.660 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.90 | 0.075 | ~ |
| Neck length | 15.00 | 0.591 | ≈ |
| Case length | 59.45 | 2.341 | · |
| Overall length | 76.68 | 3.019 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 11x59mm Gras is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 11x59mm Gras
3 models in the database chamber 11x59mm Gras. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Basile Gras designed this metallic cartridge conversion for the existing Chassepot needle-fire rifle, creating the Gras Rifle Modèle 1874. It represented France's entry into the metallic cartridge era after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 exposed critical deficiencies. France also exported the system widely — Ottoman Turkey, Greece, and several South American nations used the Gras rifle and cartridge. The reign was spectacularly brief: the 1886 introduction of the 8mm Lebel with smokeless powder rendered the Gras technologically ancient in a single year. Many Gras rifles were converted to the Lebel, and surplus Gras rifles saw use in colonial campaigns and even into WWI as second-line weapons. The cartridge illustrates how completely and suddenly the smokeless powder revolution changed warfare.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 11x59mm Gras use?
- 11x59mm Gras typically uses a 1:26 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 11x59mm Gras?
- 11x59mm Gras uses a 0.4461″ (11.33 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 11x59mm Gras still in production?
- 11x59mm Gras is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is 11x59mm Gras used for?
- 11x59mm Gras is primarily used for military (historical).
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 6 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →