Back to the Range - Better Groups with WC846 & Lyman 311644 & RCBS 308-165-Sil
We had a drop in temperatures Saturday Morning (High 90’s) so I got out to do some follow on testing of WC846 in the 30-06. I loaded 10 round strings for two other Cast Boolit types, the first a Lyman 311644 190 Grain Silhouette mold (old style purchased back in mid 1980’s) and the second an RCBS 308-165-Sil (165 Grain) mold.
I loaded the Lyman 311644 with a modest charge of 21 grains of WC846 and topped it with a ¼ sheet of TP (Double Ply Toilet Paper). The 9 round group produced was about 2 ¼ x 2 ¼ inches from 75 Yards, average velocity of 1539 fps. One round failed to chamber, with the nose section of the boolit having definite visible engraving from the lands and groves present from attempting to close the bolt on my M1917. This same round easily chambered in my 1903A3. Looks as if I will have to seat the Lyman 311644 slightly deeper than the 3.215 OAL for these loads (when intended for the M1917). I experienced the same problem with two other rounds (different loads and powder).
I loaded the RCBS 165 Sil somewhat hotter using 26 grains of WC846, and topped it with a ¼ sheet of TP (Double Ply Toilet Paper). The 13 rounds fired produced a group produced about 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches from 75 Yards, average velocity of 1725 fps. Need to explore using a heavier charge than 21 grains of WC846 with this boolit. After firing, all of the cases had heavy smoke from the shoulder are forward; some all the way back to the base of the case. This indicates that there is insufficient pressure to expand the brass to form a good gas seal which might be attributed to the Boolits being sized to .309; or insufficient powder to develop the required pressure. The RCBS mold will require some work since Boolits cast from it are out of round.
A visual comparison of the two strings follows (Click on the picture to enlarge).
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imag...1447a608b1.jpg
I believe for me there is more work to do with these cast boolit types to get higher velocities and tighten groups before I move on to using them in my gas operated M-1 Garands and M-14 type rifles. Should give me something to do as we move into the fall and winter.
:Fire:
My Load Data Sheets for this Test session are attached as PDF’s.
Mustang.
Time to Move the Load to an M1A for Testing
:drinks:
Well got out to the Range yesterday and had a bit of success using WC846 and RCBS 308-165-Sil Cast Boolits. (Click on Photo to enlarge).
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imag...ab1286f727.jpg
These 10 round shot strings were tested in a .308 Bolt action rifle. The results are good enough that I think I'll load another 10 rounds of each and fire from one of my M1A's in the next week or so and see what we get. Will publish the loads after we get a chance to test fire them in the M1A (M-14).
Looking at the data collected, although we got some pretty fair groups, there is quite a spread in velocity for these two loads. I did not use an over powder 1/4 sheet TP (Toilet Paper) wad this time. Looks like I may add a TP over powder wad for the M1A test to see if we can reduce the velocity spread.
I have attached the Load Data Sheets for each load as a PDF file. (Click on the PDF Icon to open).
Mustang