Lindcott Armory 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
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 11x59mm Gras ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
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
In production — 6 active loads across 4 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertram | Lead RN Reproduction | 386 | Lead RN | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Lead RN | 386 | Lead RN | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ Training | 386 | FMJ | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Lead RN Sporter | 386 | Lead RN | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| PPU | FMJ Training | 386 | FMJ | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Bertram | FMJ Reproduction | 386 | FMJ | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| RWS | RWS Classic | 386 | FMJ | 1,570 | 2,112 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 386 | Lead RN | 1,570 | 2,112 | — |
| DWM | Lead RN | 386 | Lead RN | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| French Military Arsenals | FMJ Ball | 386 | FMJ | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| French Government Arsenal | Ball Lead RN Service | 386 | Lead RN | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 386 | Lead Round Nose | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 386 | Lead Round Nose | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 386 | Lead Round Nose | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 386 | Lead Round Nose | 1,500 | 1,928 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 →