Jacko.357
06-03-2011, 06:08 AM
Went to the Range today to try a couple of loads I put together for my 35.303 through the week
I used a Lyman 358315 mould that a very generous Gentleman Loaned me - thanks very much - really appreciate it. Straight Wheel weight Lead which I dropped into a bucket of cool water and allowed to sit for a month or so. They should have been somewhere around 18 BHN. They weigh 208 grains and are a Gas check projectile that I sized using a Lee .358 sizing die. The Gas check was fitted when I sized the projectiles and then I pan lubed them
I mixed 2 different Bullet Lubes, the first was a Bee's Wax, Parrafin, Carnuba Wax and Auto Transmission Fluid mix.
The 2nd Lube was Lee Alox, Parrafin and STP Oil treatment
Why - I was unsure of the suitability of either bullet lube for my needs so I thought it best too try both with the same powder charge to see if one was any better than the other or if both where no good.
I used 3 times fired cases that I have only neck sized. The projectile was lightly crimped in place but the Neck Tension was such that this was probably unnecessary. I got the impression that by chance the tapered expander in my Die set is just the right diameter to open the case neck so the Cast projectiles seat firmly but not a tight enough to size the projectile down a little more
Up until this point I had used 44 grains of AR2208 under a 225 gr Sierra Gameking which the Rifle loves, very accurate load. It's also quite a mild load. I have no interest in pushing this SMLE any harder but I'm sure it will handle a stiffer load without digestion problems.
The Cast Bullet load used 38 grains of AR2208 [ Varget ] under the 208 grain gc Cast bullet. I knew it would be a light load but I was being cautious as I figured it will still be doing 1900 + fps and I was leary of Leading the barrel if the Lube was no good. AR2208 [ Varget ] fills the case well so I was not worried about it falling away from the primer.
Here's 2 10 shot groups, the one on the left with the Alox lube , the Right the ATF lube, not much in them but I like the shape of the Alox group better.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/35303castbulletloaddevelopment.jpg
As expected the 38 gr load was light, the case necks did not expand and seal well as the odd case had a bit of soot around it and the primers indicated a light load also. Overall I am happy with the potential this Rifle is showing with this off the Shelf Cast Bullet Mould. Ideally I would like to shoot 250 gr Cast Bullet from this Rifle at around 2000 fps.
Mountain Moulds http://www.mountainmolds.com/ have a design programe thats fun to play with and Cast Bullet Engineering http://www.castbulletengineering.com/page0041.html in Sydney list a Mould that looks just about ideal for my needs - just gotta save a little more and I'll be right. In the mean while the 358315 mould seems well worthwhile and I can see I'll buy my own soon enough.
Next range session will use stiffer loads and the Alox STP, Parrifin lube. I have also been wondering about biting the bullet and simply using a commercial lube - but I'm a DIY fella
regards Jacko
I used a Lyman 358315 mould that a very generous Gentleman Loaned me - thanks very much - really appreciate it. Straight Wheel weight Lead which I dropped into a bucket of cool water and allowed to sit for a month or so. They should have been somewhere around 18 BHN. They weigh 208 grains and are a Gas check projectile that I sized using a Lee .358 sizing die. The Gas check was fitted when I sized the projectiles and then I pan lubed them
I mixed 2 different Bullet Lubes, the first was a Bee's Wax, Parrafin, Carnuba Wax and Auto Transmission Fluid mix.
The 2nd Lube was Lee Alox, Parrafin and STP Oil treatment
Why - I was unsure of the suitability of either bullet lube for my needs so I thought it best too try both with the same powder charge to see if one was any better than the other or if both where no good.
I used 3 times fired cases that I have only neck sized. The projectile was lightly crimped in place but the Neck Tension was such that this was probably unnecessary. I got the impression that by chance the tapered expander in my Die set is just the right diameter to open the case neck so the Cast projectiles seat firmly but not a tight enough to size the projectile down a little more
Up until this point I had used 44 grains of AR2208 under a 225 gr Sierra Gameking which the Rifle loves, very accurate load. It's also quite a mild load. I have no interest in pushing this SMLE any harder but I'm sure it will handle a stiffer load without digestion problems.
The Cast Bullet load used 38 grains of AR2208 [ Varget ] under the 208 grain gc Cast bullet. I knew it would be a light load but I was being cautious as I figured it will still be doing 1900 + fps and I was leary of Leading the barrel if the Lube was no good. AR2208 [ Varget ] fills the case well so I was not worried about it falling away from the primer.
Here's 2 10 shot groups, the one on the left with the Alox lube , the Right the ATF lube, not much in them but I like the shape of the Alox group better.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/35303castbulletloaddevelopment.jpg
As expected the 38 gr load was light, the case necks did not expand and seal well as the odd case had a bit of soot around it and the primers indicated a light load also. Overall I am happy with the potential this Rifle is showing with this off the Shelf Cast Bullet Mould. Ideally I would like to shoot 250 gr Cast Bullet from this Rifle at around 2000 fps.
Mountain Moulds http://www.mountainmolds.com/ have a design programe thats fun to play with and Cast Bullet Engineering http://www.castbulletengineering.com/page0041.html in Sydney list a Mould that looks just about ideal for my needs - just gotta save a little more and I'll be right. In the mean while the 358315 mould seems well worthwhile and I can see I'll buy my own soon enough.
Next range session will use stiffer loads and the Alox STP, Parrifin lube. I have also been wondering about biting the bullet and simply using a commercial lube - but I'm a DIY fella
regards Jacko