Hi!
Following a question in another thread about the Svt-40 capability to function with cast boolits and IMR 4895, here's what i've done today. 4 loads were tested, five rounds each. No one prooved to be able to fully cycle the bolt. No paper was shot, i was shooting at a 100Y gong. I'm using NOE old 316299 (sized at 0.314'') that gives me 217-218gr fully dressed with aluminium checks and alox loaded in chinese steel primed cases. Powder is commercial IMR4895. The plan is to get function without touching the gas port screw.
28.5/29.5/31/32gr of IMR 4895 won't cycle the bolt and eject the case in this particular rifle. I've got 3 stove pipes (failure to eject/half eject jam) with the 32gr load of five rounds. No pressures signs have been seen, i will make some more test ammo and i will increase powder charges to 34/34.5/35/35.5 for the next range trip.
I also have Olin WC852 surplus powder and IMR 4064 in good supply and i also would test them but i don't have any clues what data to use with these powders and cast boolits.
Be safe.