mattw
05-20-2019, 10:16 AM
So, I had several boxes of ammo put together for a good set of chrono testing and accuracy testing. Gotta remember, my eyesight stinks so accuracy for me now is keeping all of the shots in the black at 25 yards.
Produced some very consistent rounds according to the chronograph, they also shot very well. I am not one to really push the 631, it would take it but why make it? I got 2 new moulds over the winter months, a Saeco 325 and an NOE 90 grain WC with pins. The first is easy to cast with, the second is a battle for me. I would have gone without pins but I wanted the 84 grain HP version of the mould as well. All of the following were shot with CCI standard OEM primers, had to bang a couple twice as I was shooting single action. May switch to Federal primers for this little gun, trigger is all stock but has a great feel to it and is not a heavy trigger at all.
First off, the 90 grain solid WC Carnauba Red, shot in 32 H&R brass:
2.8 W231, 24 shots, average FPS 806 with an awesome SD of 16! But, did not shoot very well, had 7 out of the black.
3.0 W231, 24 shots, average FPS 839 with an SD of 24. This one shot really well, 1 out of the black!
Next the Saeco 325 Carnauba Red, shot in 32 H&R brass as well:
3.8 Unique, 24 shots, average FPS 965 with an SD of 30. This was a little more snappy, but only left 2 out of the black and 5 in the bullseye!
3.5 Greendot, 25 shots, average FPS 924 with an SD of 21! This load feels great, it also seemed to completely burn up in the barrel and recoil was smooth and mild. Only 1 out of the black and 7 in the bullseye!!! Love this load.
5.0 HS6, 11 shots, average FPS 981 with an SD of 28. This load was very accurate! None out of the black. Notice the velocity increase over the same load with PC? Odd!
4.7 HS6, 11 shots, average FPS 895 with an SD of 16! Very accurate as well! None out of the black.
Saeco 326 with Smokes PC, shot in 32 H&R brass:
7.0 2400, 12 shots, average FPS 866 with an SD of 61. :( Need to up the charge and maybe use a mag primer, not accurate and fair amount of unburnt powder.
5.0 HS6, 12 shots, average FPS 932 with an SD of 22. Shot well, kept all but one in the black.
I think 2400 will work well, or I would like it to but I think I needed more crimp on the case. Was set for the same crimp as the faster powders were.
I do not know how far I could push this little gun, but you know what... I am not likely to find out! I really like mid 800's to low 900's velocity and will find the perfect load for her. As you can see, I still have some testing to do with PC and will re-run a couple of the lubed loads for further testing as well. My goal is to find 1 load for each bullet and then to load a bunch. The biggest challenge for me is metering the tiny charges. The Uniflow does not like Unique at these levels. The Lee also does not like the large flakes, but my Lyman does handle them within reason. I have also found out when working with tiny charges of smaller powder, the Lee is really accurate, but even after lapping it in... it still leaks a tiny bit of power. Does the upgraded metal on have the same problems?
Produced some very consistent rounds according to the chronograph, they also shot very well. I am not one to really push the 631, it would take it but why make it? I got 2 new moulds over the winter months, a Saeco 325 and an NOE 90 grain WC with pins. The first is easy to cast with, the second is a battle for me. I would have gone without pins but I wanted the 84 grain HP version of the mould as well. All of the following were shot with CCI standard OEM primers, had to bang a couple twice as I was shooting single action. May switch to Federal primers for this little gun, trigger is all stock but has a great feel to it and is not a heavy trigger at all.
First off, the 90 grain solid WC Carnauba Red, shot in 32 H&R brass:
2.8 W231, 24 shots, average FPS 806 with an awesome SD of 16! But, did not shoot very well, had 7 out of the black.
3.0 W231, 24 shots, average FPS 839 with an SD of 24. This one shot really well, 1 out of the black!
Next the Saeco 325 Carnauba Red, shot in 32 H&R brass as well:
3.8 Unique, 24 shots, average FPS 965 with an SD of 30. This was a little more snappy, but only left 2 out of the black and 5 in the bullseye!
3.5 Greendot, 25 shots, average FPS 924 with an SD of 21! This load feels great, it also seemed to completely burn up in the barrel and recoil was smooth and mild. Only 1 out of the black and 7 in the bullseye!!! Love this load.
5.0 HS6, 11 shots, average FPS 981 with an SD of 28. This load was very accurate! None out of the black. Notice the velocity increase over the same load with PC? Odd!
4.7 HS6, 11 shots, average FPS 895 with an SD of 16! Very accurate as well! None out of the black.
Saeco 326 with Smokes PC, shot in 32 H&R brass:
7.0 2400, 12 shots, average FPS 866 with an SD of 61. :( Need to up the charge and maybe use a mag primer, not accurate and fair amount of unburnt powder.
5.0 HS6, 12 shots, average FPS 932 with an SD of 22. Shot well, kept all but one in the black.
I think 2400 will work well, or I would like it to but I think I needed more crimp on the case. Was set for the same crimp as the faster powders were.
I do not know how far I could push this little gun, but you know what... I am not likely to find out! I really like mid 800's to low 900's velocity and will find the perfect load for her. As you can see, I still have some testing to do with PC and will re-run a couple of the lubed loads for further testing as well. My goal is to find 1 load for each bullet and then to load a bunch. The biggest challenge for me is metering the tiny charges. The Uniflow does not like Unique at these levels. The Lee also does not like the large flakes, but my Lyman does handle them within reason. I have also found out when working with tiny charges of smaller powder, the Lee is really accurate, but even after lapping it in... it still leaks a tiny bit of power. Does the upgraded metal on have the same problems?