Some surprisingly good results

[Elkins45]

It was pouring down rain when I left work today, so I figured (correctly) I would have the range to myself. I had loaded up some testing loads and wanted to see if they had any potential.

This is a 5 shot group using the Lee Ed Harris design with the conventional lube groove. I bought a six cavity several months ago but had yet to shoot any. The load was 16 grains of 300-MP, CCI magnum primer and mixed LC brass. The gun was a 98 Mauser rebarreled with an Israeli 308 barrel. This group rivals the best performance this gun has turned in with jacketed bullets.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/elkins_pix/A32539E0-A458-40CB-98E8-4343A66500E0_zps4koq6zcs.jpg

The second group is from my new NOE copy on the Lyman 311679 MXL bullet. It was fired thru a different rifle with a silencer. I had two loads, one a known subsonic load (9.5 Trail Boss) and the one below, 12 grains of SR 4759. The difference between the two was just silly: the Trail Boss load was all over the paper, while the 4759 gave the 10 shot group below (barrel tilted before every shot.) Unfortunately, it wasn't subsonic. So either TB is just a bad powder for this bullet or there's a velocity stability limit the faster load gets fast enough to meet. I couldn't chronograph because of the rain. Tomorrow's experiment is 11 grains of 4759.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/elkins_pix/C0F8D599-99F4-415A-A898-33AEB46E265D_zpsyxsgarlk.jpg

[runfiverun]

looks pretty good.
maybe bump the mp-300 load a titch.

[Elkins45]

I wasn't sure that old Mauser was capable of shooting this well, but I loaded a few of the NOE bullets with the same 300-MP charge and it shot them just as well. I didn't treat either bullet any way special: just air cooled them, sized them .310 and loaded them up. I hadn't tried this powder or these bullets before and I'm pleased with both.

This was also the first time I had used my Al-based food grade grease lube. Clearly it didn't harm performance-won't know if it helped until I try the same loads with a different lube. This is the stuff I call "nanner puddin" lube because of the color. It's equal parts beeswax, paraffin and CRC food grade grease.

[Wayne Smith]

I think you are right about the velocity/stability issue. 50 05 100 yds?

Keep it up, give us something to aim for!

[Elkins45]

I think you are right about the velocity/stability issue. 50 05 100 (tel:50 05 100) yds?

Keep it up, give us something to aim for!

Both those targets were at 100 yards.

[runfiverun]

I'm not a fan of trail boss.
it is one of those powders that seems like a good idea, and where it works it's stellar, but it doesn't seem to perform across the board like it should.

[Elkins45]

I'm not a fan of trail boss.
it is one of those powders that seems like a good idea, and where it works it's stellar, but it doesn't seem to perform across the board like it should.

308 is the only cartridge I've tried it in (because of the silencer) and my results have been spotty at best. I like the idea of taking up all that space in the case, but my group was all over the place.

[Texas by God]

I'm not a fan of trail boss.
it is one of those powders that seems like a good idea, and where it works it's stellar, but it doesn't seem to perform across the board like it should.
I'm with you on TB. I don't see the need.
Best, Thomas.

[RickinTN]

I'm not a fan of trail boss.
it is one of those powders that seems like a good idea, and where it works it's stellar, but it doesn't seem to perform across the board like it should.
I agree. Trailboss works very well in very light cowboy action loads but builds pressure too quickly for applications like the above. SR4759 is the original powder based on the same idea....a faster powder than normal rifle powders but "fluffy" so it better seals the case, and not as fast as Trailboss. Sr4759, now that it has been discontinued, has become one of my favorite powders.
Take care,
Rick

[44man]

I just loaded my 187 gr cast for a 30-06 and used 54 gr of H4350. Maybe a little crazy and won't know for a while. A new Savage package deal on the way for a friend.
But I do the same with my 30-30, I use rifle powders, 3031, 4895 and Varget.
I don't know the groove yet so I sized .309" and I don't know seating depth yet. No gun in hand.
Can't wait for the gun to come in. I have always treated cast like jacketed. Never had luck with shotgun or pistol powders.
I will let you know what happens.

[44man]

Trail Boss is like the 4227's, works in limited applications. 4759 is stellar in some guns but not all. I use it in my BFR 45-70, nothing better and I have about 20# left. But it can fail in some calibers. The hardest thing I ever did was to get a 10" 45-70 to work. The huge case is ridiculous in a short barrel.

[Elkins45]

I have always treated cast like jacketed. Never had luck with shotgun or pistol powders.

I'm not sure how to do that for a load that's intended to stay subsonic in 308.

[RickinTN]

Red Dot or Clays powder may be the place to look for a subsonic load in your application. I believe Hodgdon publishes data for Clays with a similar weight jacketed bullet which is subsonic. With either powder a little goes a long way. Off subject just a bit.....I have been using 8 grains of Red Dot in my 444 Marlin with a 265 gr cast for velocities around 1,000 fps. It's very clean burning and extremely accurate.
Hope this helps,
Rick