Scrambling for powder

[jaysouth]

Two weeks ago I took delivery of a Vanguard .308 that will be my dedicated cast bullet rifle. It has 24" barrel, 1:12" and topped with an older Leupold VX-2, 3-9X40.

On my first outing, I got horrible results with Bullseye, not as bad with unique, and sort of good with Red Dot. I am shooting 165 Ranch Dogs, gas checked wheel weight equiv alloy. The accuracy is there, I just have to find it.

For the time being I am using pistol powders because that's about all I can get. Does anyone have experience with using 231/HP38 or Clays for 200 yard loads. I would like to get 1400-1500 fps and an accurate load.

Red Dot has dried up around here, but I have half a caddy of Clays and a full 8 pound caddy of HP38. Until things calm down, the 165 ranch dog is the only one I have.

Thanks for your help.

[Silverboolit]

Hi...I have a Howa 1500, pretty close to your Vanguard. I found excellent results with 18 gr.of 2400. Running a 175 gr boolit with gas check, I can get to group well under an inch at 50 yds.

[jaysouth]

Hi...I have a Howa 1500, pretty close to your Vanguard. I found excellent results with 18 gr.of 2400. Running a 175 gr boolit with gas check, I can get to group well under an inch at 50 yds.

Thanks, but I am running out of powder, I am down to my last 1/2 pound of Red Dot, Unique and 2400. I have lots of clays and HP38.

I guess I will have to get brave and start with maybe 10 grs. of HP 38 under my 165 RD and take it from there.

Thanks again and I will keep you posted.

[Mk42gunner]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article

Lot of good info in the above article.

I have used 6.0 grains of 231 behind a plain based 122 gr boolit in the .308 (I got 1220 FPS), but not with any heavier projectile.

Robert

[jaysouth]

Thanks for the reply. I printed this article out several years ago and have almost worn out the paper. I forgot about the 6 grs. load for 1200. I will try this but in the mean time found a pound of RX-7 and Red dot. I don't see any end in sight to this 'shortage' of ammo and components.

At least the folks I deal with on a weekly/monthly basis are not gouging prices like I have seen on ebay and Craig's list.