5 Attachment(s)
.310 Cadet Reloading 101, part 1
G'day to the members and visitors to the board,
Another member 'Paratus', put the "Cat in amongst the pigeons" when he revealed to those who read his thread that he has and shoots a Martini .310 Cadet Rifle. I as result of enquiries for the information I offered to members, I believe it will be easier to submit information in the form of a thread and conduct some tests with the cartridge and rifle combination while posting the results for all to see. I can chrono loads, benchrest out to 90 meteres at the club for accuracy comparison, try different lubes from within an initially small choice of brands, mainly LEE Liquid Alox and 50/50 Alox Beeswax (others if time permits).
I have some experience and information for reloading this cartridge and a rifle which needs to be exercised. The cartridge itself is barely big enough to be considered a Rifle cartridge but makes a good childs training rifle, adults plinking rifle or suitable for small game at less than 100 yds. I do not hold out at this time much hope of good accuracy with my rifles barrel. While the rifling is sharp looking, the bore at one time was not cleaned properly (before my time with the rifle) and is dark. On the previous ocassions I shot this rifle, I did manage to hit the target with reasonable accuracy. I do have two original second hand, good clean cast boolit barrels on their way and they should be available before the end of the test cycle.
Attachment 1767
The cartridge itself is a straight tapered case approximately 1.075" long which work best IMO with a Heel Type Boolit weighing approximately 120 grains.
Attachment 1768
The above photo shows (left to right) SUPER Brand .310 cases, Bertram Bullet Co. .310 Cases and Super Brand swaged lead projectiles (non heel type) which will be used as the comparison standard in these tests.
Attachment 1770
These bullet molds (left to right) H. T. BUGG Mold and C. B. E. Mold will be used to cast the projectiles for these tests. I intend to use Wheel weight material and all projectiles will be dip lubed post loading.
Attachment 1769
I have and will use a locally produced dieset for loading this calibre. The set has been used in the past and gave good results.
Attachment 1771
The rear sight on my rifle and most others available is an excellent unit adjustable for both elevation and windage.
The powders suggested in the Aussie reloading manuals are 2400, IMR 4227, REDDOT and UNIQUE. The powder charges are all small, almost pistol cartridge loads and those underlined are the powders I have available, right now.
Powder Charges for .310" Cadet.
Powder......Starting Load.....mv.............MAX. Load........mv
2400.............7.....................1220....... .....8...................1320
IMR 4227......9.....................1320..........11.. .................1500
Red Dot.....3.5.....................1170............5. ..................1530
Unique.........4.....................1200......... .......nil..
A Aussie writer tried a charge of 16 3fg GOEX powder for an article in a locally published shooting magazine. If time permits I will try these loads.
I will finish for now and update as I progress through the reloading/shooting cycle.
Until then, cheers :drinks:
John.
4 Attachment(s)
.310 Cadet Reloading 101, Part 2
Well, the results are in on part one. Yesterdays casting session required the breaking in of two new molds (well they did sit on the shelf for several years before yesterday [smilie=1: ) and then down to some serious casting. Once I had the cadance sorted out, juggling two molds at once became easy and set up a good production rate.
The only drawback was the 10 pound capacity of the LEE pot (need a BIGGER one), so I can now introduce some of the stars of this thread.
Attachment 1778
Now for the individual details;
Attachment 1777
The CBE 113.6 grain Heel type Boolit; OAL is 0.60", Shank diameter is .308" and the Groove diameter is .320" as cast from wheel weights.
Attachment 1776
The BUGG 135.8 grain Heel type Boolit; OAL is 0.706", Shank diameter is .309" and the Groove diameter is .316" as cast from wheel weights.
Due to the lateness of the day when I commenced casting, I will cast some more today to build up a reasonable supply for the loading tests. (As the number of members personal load data being posted is enlarging the testing regime somewhat.)
I mentioned yesterday that I had just received what appears to be a brand new unused original barrel from a friend who bought one some years ago when they were being sold for about $25.00 AUD through Lawerence Ordnance. I cleaned the grease and paper from the outside but left the grease in the barrel. It has a few marks on the outside but no rust and the grease is packed into the bore.
Attachment 1779
I took several photo's this morning but this is the only one which was in focus. I will redo the others later. (Rear sight and Muzzle.)
Well, :drinks: cheers for now,
John.