Pure lead boolit velocity results part 1

[Lead melter]

Pertaining to my tests originally posted as "Testing tomorrow" as of 2/20/08.

Shot the 30-30yesterday and have a few results to post to any interested;

22 grain 3031
Group 1-1.750"
Group 2-1.604"
Ave-1.77"

23 grain 3031
Group 1-2.847"
Group 2-2.901"
Ave-2.874"

24 grain 3031*
Group 1-4.098
Group 2-4.837"
Ave-4.467"

25 grain 3031
Group1-3.725"
Group 2-3.887"
Ave-3.806

26 grain 3031
Group 1-4.708"
Group 2-3.662"
Ave-4.185"

[*Strange. 4 shots entered a nice tight pattern with one flyer opening it up terribly. 4 shots in group 1 went into 1.427", 4 shots in group 2 went into 1.274"
This possibly may be the point at which stability becomes an issue.]

Testing will continue with yardage incresed to 100 yards and chronograph results of 22, 23, 24 grains 3031 before other powders are tried.

I'll keep posting results until someone tells me to shut up.

[dubber123]

Keep the info coming, any velocity #'s to go with group size?

[Floydster]

Lead Melter,
Are you using pure lead cast boolits with gas checks?
Thanks, Floydster

[Lead melter]

dubber,
No velocity figures yet. I wanted to wait until I started to get accuracy issues first, then get some velocity figures as to where the cut off point is. My next testing plans to be the first three loads at 100 yards with velocity.

Floydster,
10-4. The object is to try to find just where the pure lead boolit goes to pot as far as velocity goes. Gator gas checks are used and the boolit is the Lee C309-150-RN/FP

By the way, a hearty welcome to the board!

[Buckshot]

...........Interesting. What sights on the rifle? The author Paul Matthews reported excellent accuracy with pure lead in a Marlin M-G 1895 45-70 with a 400gr slug at 1800 fps.

................Buckshot

[Lead melter]

Buckshot,
Weaver 2 1/2X fixed power. With no chrono data yet to support my theory, I feel even the 22 grain load is approaching, or at that 1800 fps level. My 336 shoots the Lee 170 RN/FP at 1525 with just 20 grains 3031.

Testing criteria can be found on the 'Cast Boolits' setion under the heading "Testing tomorrow".

Maybe someone more computer savvy can direct me how to post a link to it, since I will have several more posts with velocity, different powders, etc.

[Floydster]

Lead Melter,
Thanks for the welcome, and also thanks for doing this research, it will be very interesting indeed.

I am just getting back into reloading after a 30 year hiatus, I am digging out all my old equipment, and have about 5,000 cast boolits I cast up in the late 60's,
and I think they are mostly pure lead, maybe a touch of tin and antimony, I can't remember,hehe.

Thanks again for all the data and research involved.

Floydster

[mroliver77]

Interesting LM,
I have been doing the same in .38 special the last week or so. I have a Lee 170gr SWC over 2.5gr clays shooting very nice. NO leading at all. Must be the FWFL. 2% tin makes a big difference. I have a big pile of soft lead and will be watching for your progress reports.
J