well we have a contribution to the thread.
Went to the range today using data posted here w/H335 as a starting point. Specifically, First try was 5 rounds w/29.5 grains and a NEI 30-150 mold that we have had for maybe 25 years. Could not make it group at the time I bought it, but it is in my brothers stash.
Similar to a 31141, just shorter w/a smaller meplat. Sized .309 and nose measures .299 so it should not (did not in the previous life) work.
The rifle is a Century Arms 09xx w/ChiCom parts, and a Federal Ordinance receiver. Barrel is Chicom chrome lined that will close on all 308 gages, but not on a 7.62 NATO field. Un itized, trigger job, GI fiberglass stock, NM sights. Magazine was not GI, but is reliable.
Load is 29.5 gr H335, WLR primers, R-P brass w/maybe 2 reloads, no idea what the lube was as the boolits are maybe 25 years old straight air cooled wheel weights. OAL 2.63 and all shots were from the magazine loaded w/10 rounds.
Feeds w/out a bobble. good extraction. Primers look good. Fireing was slow so as not to heat up the toy.
Now for the coup de gras. Best 10 shot group at 50 yds, less 2 called flyers,
was .770 x .883 from a bench w/the NM sights. Now for all you you younger folks w/good eyes, I was 70 on 7/3/2009, so I get to do some serious bragging. Pics will be posted tomorrow or Monday as the brothers computer wont take my chip.
)
Tried 29 gr, 29.5 gr and 30 gr H335. We will work on tightening up the group a little w/different lubes and I may even go so far as to slug the bore and see if a larger size to works well.
I have used teflon tape w/good results in the past and will also try liquid alox.
Bad news is I have no idea if the mold is still available.
Tried 311466 and 311041 w/no success.
Methinks I have found the load for my M14s. Makes for cheap shooting and saving the milspec loads for repelling borders and the like. Actually this load groups about the same as my jacketed load of 43 gr H4895, R-P cases, WLR primers and Hornady FMJBT 150 gr bullets which is a pretty consistant 2 minute load.
Eat your hearts out lads.
Seabreeze133
Don