This was a 'getting to know you' trip. The rifle was a standard M96. Numbers matching on the barrel, action, bolt and bottom metal. All the rest were non-matching. The barrel is a little on the dark side but the rifling is strong and sharp. Sorry, forgot pictures.
I loaded 10 each of 14, 15 and 16 grs. 2400 and WLP primers. Brass is a mixture of Century 6.5 (Yugo) and others formed from various calibers.
14 (1500 fps) and 15 grs.(1576 fps) @ 50 yds. I didn't realize I was shooting so low. Each group has one more shot just off the paper.
16 gr. (1644 fps) @ 50 yds. I moved the sight up.
And 15 grs. @ 100 yds.
Groups weren't anything to brag about but it does give me a starting point.
A couple of notes:
Checks had to be seated in a .266" die as they weren't large enough to seat @ .268".
Boolits were sized @ .268" in a push through and lubed in a .269". They were sized @ .268" the same day they were cast and lubed a week later (tac #1)
Alloy is a water dropped 'mystery' alloy. Based on the 'clink' they make I would say the hardness is in the low 20's.
The boolits were seated firmly into the throat/rifling. Enough that removing an un-fired round would leave the boolit in the throat.
The first two bands (.266" and .268") were both touching the throat. The nose (.2605") was touching the rifling.
For a first trip I am satisfied. I think I can work with this boolit. Would properly sized checks make a difference? Beats me. I have to do the same thing with my Chilean short rifle and it works pretty well. I also have a good supply of '06 brass that I hope to get turned into 6.5 brass so that I can get more brass with the same head stamp. Powder selection is Herco, Steel, BD and 2400 on one end and then heavy on the 3031 to 4350 speed powders.
I traded a k31 in very good condition for this rifle because is was 'too easy' to get to shoot. It just wasn't much of a challenge. This rifle should give me that challenge. It should be fun.
Darrell