singleshotbuff
11-18-2006, 10:37 PM
Gentlemen,
As I said a couple threads down, I bought a Lee collet die for my 8X57mm (Yugo M48 Mauser) and found it didn't give sufficient neck tension with Jword bullets. As previously mentioned I ordered an undersized mandrel from Lee yesterday.
I had already sized 20 cases with the die before I realized the neck tension issue, I had also primed them. Not wanting to deprime these cases, I decided to go ahead and shoot them anyway. I figured I'd have to single load them, I was sure running them through the mag would shove the bullets deeper in the cases.
I loaded them with 38grs of Yugo military surplus powder (that I pull down myself) and pulled down 198gr FMJ BT bullets (from the same ammo). This is a mid to light load that I use for plinking and offhand practice. It usually groups 1.75-2.00" from sandbags at 50 yards, using f/l or partial sized cases.
This same load, single loaded into the chamber, with collet sized cases with VERY little neck tension, gaveraged 1.3" for 4 groups today!! If I toss out the largest group, which I think was my fault due to horizontal stringing, the average was 1.1"!!
WOW! I realize 4 groups do not a test make, but I plan to try more tomorrow. I can't wait to retest this load when my undersized mandrel arrives. I also think I'll try some cases sized with my current mandrel and a better component set. I have some Rem 185gr SP bullets and some IMR-4320 that group better than my pulldown components in partial sized cases. This will be my next test tomorrow, if the weather cooperates.
I guess my point is, you never know until you shoot it!
SSB
As I said a couple threads down, I bought a Lee collet die for my 8X57mm (Yugo M48 Mauser) and found it didn't give sufficient neck tension with Jword bullets. As previously mentioned I ordered an undersized mandrel from Lee yesterday.
I had already sized 20 cases with the die before I realized the neck tension issue, I had also primed them. Not wanting to deprime these cases, I decided to go ahead and shoot them anyway. I figured I'd have to single load them, I was sure running them through the mag would shove the bullets deeper in the cases.
I loaded them with 38grs of Yugo military surplus powder (that I pull down myself) and pulled down 198gr FMJ BT bullets (from the same ammo). This is a mid to light load that I use for plinking and offhand practice. It usually groups 1.75-2.00" from sandbags at 50 yards, using f/l or partial sized cases.
This same load, single loaded into the chamber, with collet sized cases with VERY little neck tension, gaveraged 1.3" for 4 groups today!! If I toss out the largest group, which I think was my fault due to horizontal stringing, the average was 1.1"!!
WOW! I realize 4 groups do not a test make, but I plan to try more tomorrow. I can't wait to retest this load when my undersized mandrel arrives. I also think I'll try some cases sized with my current mandrel and a better component set. I have some Rem 185gr SP bullets and some IMR-4320 that group better than my pulldown components in partial sized cases. This will be my next test tomorrow, if the weather cooperates.
I guess my point is, you never know until you shoot it!
SSB