M39- .30 Lee Bator

[Pathfinder1cav]

I just tried out some fairly warm loads- 38.0 Blc-2, 113grs of H2O quenched W/W sized .313" (apx 2,500 fps) in a new to me "Antique" Finn M9. Held under 2" @ 100y with bbl sights.
I have 2 others that I have shot a lot of cast Lee 185-.314 & 16.5-2400 that are pretty accurate (1-1/2 Moa- irons).
Don't know for sure what that big meplat would do on deer, but I suspect it would do the job at that velocity.
Shot a few 185's with 60gr 3f black powder just for grins.. so-so..

[RugerFan]

Did you get any leading at that velocity?

[Pathfinder1cav]

No lead, but I only shot 3 @ 2,500 (113 gr), 3 @ 2,000 (185 gr.) & the rest about 1700.
I interpolated the .308/.30-06 data in Lee's reloading book on pressure vs. boolit hardness for the 7.62X54.
When I said hot, I meant "sounded hot" as the primers were fine. Just surprised me because generally accuracy seems to go away for me when I get above 1700 with 2400 - so maybe holding the pressure down to about 25K (per the book), using the Blc-2 was the factor.
Anyway, I thought that 2 Moa at that velocity was good & wanted to share...
FWIW, there is a cast bullet match this weekend... $1,000 prize money.. 60 shots 250y-1538y. Near Parhump, NV