PDA

View Full Version : .312-155 testing in 16" Saiga rifle....



ssn vet
08-11-2008, 01:36 PM
I got a little farther in my load development for this one.....but ran into an unexpected problem....

bullet.... Lee 312-155 cast w/ WDWW. Bullets are dropping at .312" and then I'm seating a Hornady .30 cal check with a .311 Lee die. and then pan lubing with Speed Green.

brass... sized and trimmed once fired Win brass

primer... CCI 200 (LRP)

Powder AA 1680

-------------


history

when slugged at the muzzle w/ a 12 ga. pellet, I came up w/ .312.

Previous trials w/ 2200 wouldn't cycle the action reliably untill the load was bumped up to 16 gr. I was having a hard time getting anything on paper at 50 yds. So switched to 1680 and started at 20 gr.

this session tested 5 shot groups loaded w/ 1680 at
20 gr.
20.5 gr.
21 gr.
21.5 gr.

shooting w/ the mag. rested on a sandbag for an improv. "monopod", with infamous stock AK iron sights at 50 yds.

Jacketed 123 gr. factory loads and my own jacketed 125 gr. handloads w/ 24.6 gr. of 1680 were all hitting in the black (best group was ~3") w/ rear sight on the 100 yd. setting.

From previous experience, I knew I'd need to bump up the rear site to the 200 yd setting with my cast loads, and this proved true agian.

No overpressure signs were observed with any of these loads.

my best results were with 21.5 gr. in which I had 3 out of the 5 hitting in ~1-1/2".

Surprises...

1. My cast loads were hitting ~3" to the right of where the Jacketed loads were hitting.

2. I observed my first leading, at the muzzle. Most of this cleaned right up w/ 3 passes of a stainless "whirly" brush. But I think I need to make some adjustments to nip this in the bud.

Any advise on where to go from hear is appreciated.

Any thoughts on doing a second dip lube w/ diluted LLA to get a thin uniform coating? (I don't want to have a lot of LLA on these as it has had a tendancy to scrape off on the bullet guide.)

Carnuba Red?

Opening up the sizing die?

Buying the next size larger Lee push through die (.314")?

Thanks in advance for any constructive advice

RU shooter
08-11-2008, 09:22 PM
The Saiga is a great carbine infact since the demise of the Vepr line is now the only truly Russian Kalashnikov sold in the US, As far as your cast loads hitting to the right of jacketed thats common. The faster I shoot mine the more to the left they impact on target. IMO if you have a .312 bore and your sizing to .311 the results are not gonna be spectacular. That maybe where your leading is coming from too???Maybe try to lap and "beagle" that mould closer to .314 and install that gas check in a .314 sizer. I'm no expert compaired to others here But thats what I would try Good luck, Tim

Ricochet
08-11-2008, 09:25 PM
I'll bet they'll work better if you simply run them through a .314" sizer, even if the boolit bodies are slightly smaller than that. The gaschecks will seal well, and the lands provide much of the centering support for the boolit.

Bret4207
08-12-2008, 07:42 AM
Try using the boolits as cast, no sizing, just press the GC on and see if it doesn;t shoot better. You need a larger diameter boolit.