JoeBrotch
11-02-2008, 11:07 PM
I recently picked up a 310 cadet rifle witha very nice bore and had to replace the custom Mahogany butt and forestock with originals, barrel marked 32-20 and bore measured .3235.
My barrel is stamped 32-20 and my chamber measures .359" at base and .344" at trimmed 1.060 length.
I looked at various bullets and bullet molds and decided on:
1. Is a total copper plated lead bullet from Buffalo Arms for the 8mm Lebel pistol, ($.10 each) weighting 100 grains and has a .330 diameter, .546 long, and .245 long bearing surface. I resize this thru a standard 8mm (.323) lee sizer/luber sizer kit ($25.00) or you can have Lee make a custom sized sizer die to fit your bore for $30.00
2. Is a 152 grain cast bullet made from a Lee two cavity .329 diameter 205 grain weight gas check bullet mold (C329-205-1R) for $35.00
I shortened this mold .300 and it cast a 151 grain (1/30) bullet .797 long with a .320 diameter nose/bore riding diameter and a .242 long bearing surface I resized to .324 diameter that I am driving at 1250 FPS with 8 grains of A2400
I Lee Liquid Alox pan lube # 2 and it shows the most promise for longer range shooting accuracy and no keyholing.
For dies I forgoed the standard 32-20 dies as it sizes undersize ans settled on 32 ACP dies
I run a 8mm Mauser die expander ball down to bottom of case and expand base and decap primer, I then size 1/4" length of the case mouth with a 32 ACP die
and then seat .324 Dia bullets with the 32 ACP seater die without crimp.
100 grain total copper plated bullet has an overall length of 1.345", Diameter over loaded case neck is .341 with a chamber diameter of .343
150 grain bullet overall length measures 1.620"", Diameter over loaded case neck is also .341 with a chamber diameter of .343
I tried the 120 grain heeled bullet and did not have as good accuracy as with the 150 grain bullets (1" at 50 yards with two powders/loads tried, still experimenting with powders and charge weights).
You have to keep in mind that the chamber is a progressive cone then straight diameter (bullet throat relief) to rifling.
Chamber cast tells all, check dimensions to available dies and trim to length to suite non heeled bullet. trim to length to suite non heeled bullet.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL149/8996569/19640107/339575932.jpg
My barrel is stamped 32-20 and my chamber measures .359" at base and .344" at trimmed 1.060 length.
I looked at various bullets and bullet molds and decided on:
1. Is a total copper plated lead bullet from Buffalo Arms for the 8mm Lebel pistol, ($.10 each) weighting 100 grains and has a .330 diameter, .546 long, and .245 long bearing surface. I resize this thru a standard 8mm (.323) lee sizer/luber sizer kit ($25.00) or you can have Lee make a custom sized sizer die to fit your bore for $30.00
2. Is a 152 grain cast bullet made from a Lee two cavity .329 diameter 205 grain weight gas check bullet mold (C329-205-1R) for $35.00
I shortened this mold .300 and it cast a 151 grain (1/30) bullet .797 long with a .320 diameter nose/bore riding diameter and a .242 long bearing surface I resized to .324 diameter that I am driving at 1250 FPS with 8 grains of A2400
I Lee Liquid Alox pan lube # 2 and it shows the most promise for longer range shooting accuracy and no keyholing.
For dies I forgoed the standard 32-20 dies as it sizes undersize ans settled on 32 ACP dies
I run a 8mm Mauser die expander ball down to bottom of case and expand base and decap primer, I then size 1/4" length of the case mouth with a 32 ACP die
and then seat .324 Dia bullets with the 32 ACP seater die without crimp.
100 grain total copper plated bullet has an overall length of 1.345", Diameter over loaded case neck is .341 with a chamber diameter of .343
150 grain bullet overall length measures 1.620"", Diameter over loaded case neck is also .341 with a chamber diameter of .343
I tried the 120 grain heeled bullet and did not have as good accuracy as with the 150 grain bullets (1" at 50 yards with two powders/loads tried, still experimenting with powders and charge weights).
You have to keep in mind that the chamber is a progressive cone then straight diameter (bullet throat relief) to rifling.
Chamber cast tells all, check dimensions to available dies and trim to length to suite non heeled bullet. trim to length to suite non heeled bullet.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL149/8996569/19640107/339575932.jpg