311041 in the 308 Winchester using BLC2 Powder

[MUSTANG]

I've off and on been reloading the 311041 for 30-40 Krag, 308 and 30-06. I have used BLC2 in 308 winchester with an RCBS 165 Silohuette boolit effectively in the past. As an example see the pic in post # 17 at this Cast Boolits Link:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?325405-Harbor-Freight-Red-Powder-Coat-for-RCBS-165-Sil-Shooting-Results&highlight=

That group was shot with with 26 Grains surplus WC846 powder (did NOT use over powder dacron or... filler). Had an amerimax aluminum gas check, Carnuba Red lube, and sized .310. WC846 and BLC2 are approximate Equivalents; which gave me a "Start" developing a load using BLC2 with the 311041 in the 308 Winchester.

My current crop of powders is heavily weighted in the BLC2 direction for 30-40 Krag, 308 and 30-06 use; so I began to look at it for the 311041 boolit - I found fifty or so I cast a few years ago on the back of the shelf. They are sized to .310 with a Carnuba Red lube, and gas checked with 0.14 thick Amerimax aluminum self made gas checks. Material was 96% lead, 3% antimony, and 1% Tin.

1st Load was 26 Grain of BLC2. Target was 10 rounds at 100 Yards. Group size was 2.11 MOA.
292935

2nd Load was 32 Grain of BLC2. Target was 10 rounds at 100 Yards. Group size was 1.99 MOA.
292936


My current thoughts are to shoot two other groups; one at 34 grains and another at 36 grains. One reason I decided to use BLC2 rather than other powders on hand is because I did not find any references to BLC2 with the 311041 boolit readily available. There are numerous posts on the 311041; but in these times of limited powder and primers - sharing load data for the BLC2 and the 311041 in 308 winchester could be of use to others.

[Thumbcocker]

Thank you. I have had some encouraging results with 842 and the Ranch Dig 165 fp. In a Tikka with a 1:11 barrel twist.

Any idea on the velocity of that load?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[MUSTANG]

Unfortunately no Velocity tests.

My old F1 Chronograph acted up last two times at the range (not reading shots, ridiculous high velocities 8729 fps and ridiculous low velocities 343 fps and then some near what I expected). So I have not been taking it to the range in recent 20 to 35 degree temps.

Thinking about ordering a LabRadar after the holidays - but a 6 to 8 month waiting list is troublesome also. Be almost back to winter again by time it's delivered - but then in these times we got to plan for things I guess.

[Rickf1985]

That is good info to have since I am casting the same bullet and I have BL-C2 on hand.

[dverna]

Man....I would be happy with that!!!

You should be able to get an idea of velocity by zeroing at 100 yards and checking how high you print at 50 yards. There is data in Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook starting on page 362 with trajectory/velocity data. +/-100 fps is not a big deal anyway when you have a load that shoots that well...it is a keeper.

Nice work!

[MUSTANG]

Well; jumped from 32 grains BLC2 to 34 Grains BLC2 all other load data same. Group opened up (Doubled) to 4.062 MOA (4.253 Inches) compared to 32 Grains. The orange target dot is 0.8inch in diameter for reference.

293029

Thinking I may back off One Grain - to 33 Grains of BLC2 and shoot a Test Target again. Hopefully that will result in a group closer to that 2 MOA or less. May also try some dacron in the load (not previously used). On the first 4 shots I hit the top left portion of the group. That would have been the start of a good group, but it started walking both left and down opening the group up.


Concerning Velocity 0f the BLC2 loads; I looked up the 308 winchester loads for 311041 in my copy of the 3rd edition, Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. Since W748 is listed; and a variety of charts show it as a close burn rate to BLC2, I created a chart to "Guestimate" the burn rate for these loads based on a Straight Line scale of velocity based on velocities given for 32 Grain Loads (1856 fps) and the max load at 47 grains (2790 fps). Based on this "Guestimate Table" the 32 Grain load would have been 1856 fps and the 34 grain load would have been 1980 fps.



Grains Estimated
BLC2 Velocity

32 1856
33 1918
34 1980
35 2042
36 2104
37 2166
38 2228
39 2290
40 2352
41 2414
42 2476
43 2538
44 2600
45 2662
46 2724
47 2790


Depending on how it goes; might also see if going up further in grains/pressure/velocity might have an improved result. Currently at 34 grains I am still getting some carbon fouling on the case mouths.

[MUSTANG]

Today; I reshot the group from post #1 using 32 Grains of BLC-2 Powder. The only change is that I put a Dacron Filler over the powder charge. Group size at 2.217 MOA is about same size as the previous as the previous 32 Grain grouping at 1.99 MOA. Use of Dacron in this particular load does not appear to have significant affect.


Rifle: Remington 700 ADL Varmint .308
Barrel Twist: 1 in 12
Wind: 10 to 15 Mph left to right.
Temp: 36 degrees F.
Boolit: Lyman 311644
Ballistic Coefficient: .220
Brinnel Hardness: 20
Bullet sized: .310
Alloy: 96% Lead, 3% Antimony, 1% Tin
Bullet Lube: Carnuba Red
Gas Check: Ameri-max Aluminum 0.14”
Powder: BLC2 32 Grains with a Dacron over powder filler.
Primer: CCI-34
Case: Mixed military and commercial Brass
OAL: 2.617 inches
Distance: 100 Yards.
10 Shot Group Size: 2.217 MOA

296493

Later in Spring I may see how same load performs with an Eastwood Powder coat instead of Carnuba Red Lube.

[MUSTANG]

I have never Powder Coated this Boolit; but decided to give it a try as I had a Pace Picante Jar full of 311041's that had never been gas checked/lubed/sized. Took 20 out, and Powder Coated them with Eastwood Green - air cooled. Trying to put Aluminum Gas Checks on after powder coating was difficult as the base of these bolts is slightly larger than other cast boolits I do. Any way, was able to get the checks on and seated using a Lee .301 Sizer. Specs on this Test are:

Specs for the first Powder Coated 311041 test loads are:

Rifle: Remington 700 ADL Varmint .308

Barrel Twist: 1 in 12

Wind: 5
Temp: 45 degrees F.

Boolit: NOE 311041

Ballistic Coefficient: .220
Brinnel Hardness: 9.8

Bullet sized: .310

Alloy: 96% Lead, 3% Antimony, 1% Tin

Bullet Lube: Carnuba Red

Gas Check: Ameri-max Aluminum 0.14”

Powder: BLC2 30 Grains

Primer: CCI-34

Case: Mixed military and commercial Brass

OAL: 2.617 inches

Distance: 100 Yards.

10 Shot Group Size: 4.727 MOA

296995


As the man said after hitting his thumb with the Hammer - Don't think I'll do that again.