CVA Scout V2 35 Remington

[gman]

Need some ideas or should I say guidance in troubleshooting this rifle. Using the NOE 35-200 cast 50/50 and tried both heat treated and air cooled. Powders tried so far are 3031 and 335. Throat is so short that the bullets must be seated just over the crimp groove so the action will close. Even then I get light engraving from the rifling on the bullet. Forces the shank to extend below the neck/shoulder. Shot 10 rounds through it yesterday before the monsoon started but had to stop. Ran another 30 through it today. Shots are mostly all over the place. Acted like the base or rings were loose. Went over those and groups were no better. Using Bens Red with one coat of BLL. Pictures show one group with shot order then another shot after. Also a picture of the muzzle showing lube. This lube combo shot lights out with my 1895 Marlin today. Any experience with this rifle?

 

[Rick]

You might find some tips and loading info here. Glen has played with this caliber a lot and is a true 35 caliber aficionado.

The .35 Remington: America's "Other Levergun" By: Glen E. Fryxell

 

[gman]

Thanks Rick. Been a fan of Glen's writings for a while. I'm leaning more and more to replacing the CVA scope mount.

 

[Rick]

First thing that comes to mind is the throat. The RCBS 35 200 was made for the 35 Remington and it seems quite odd that it won't chamber that bullet without deep seating. A chamber cast or a pound cast seems in order and if indicated the use of a throating reamer.

.

 

[gman]

Agree with that Rick. The throat is very short on this rifle. Would that effect accuracy that much? Unfortunately my chrono was stolen and I was unable to get information on the loads.

 

[Josh]

If it needs a throating reamer I suggest one attached to a 358 Winchester chamber reamer.

 

[Josh]

Hold the phone, I looked at the muzzle pic, I think I see a massive amount of leading. What diameter are you sizing to?

 

[gman]

.359 but they actually mike .3585. I cleaned the barrel to check and only had a few specks of lead on the first patch. I had to clean a lot of jacket fouling out of this barrel before trying cast.

 

[Ben]

gman :

Would be nice to shoot some .360" dia. cast bullets in the rifle if you can find access to a few.

I don't know how stiff your current powder charges are, but it would be nice to see the rifle shot with 15 grs. of 2400 with your current cast bullets in a clean , lead free bore and / or 10 grs. of Alliant Unique.

Have you tried a 2nd scope that you have utmost confidence in ?

Ben

 

[Josh]

At .3585" my guess is gas blow by in the throat, size some bullets to .360". There should be no reason you can't run one of those 200 gr bullets at full power from the 35 Remington

 

[gman]

Ben,
If only I had some 2400! Was talking to the owner of a GS I frequent about this. He got a shipment of Bullseye in and I picked up a bunch. Another rare powder in my neck of the woods. Ordering a .360 sizing die. Been putting it off. I do have unique. Plan on using this rifle to deer hunt with so I was trying to work up a loading for that. I'll try the unique load to see what it will do.

 

[Ben]

Do you have a mould that will throw .360" + ?

I'd like to see you shooting some " ragged 1 hole groups " here in the " Off Season ".
Unique can do that. Would be nice if you could " stumble " onto a pound of it soon.
There are few rifles ( w/ full size cases ) that won't shoot 10 grs. of Unique well.

After you've accomplished that, you can step things up and add velocity with slower powders and get ready for hunting season.

Ben

 

[Josh]

If you have Unique try to shoot some as cast rolled in BLL with about 7-8 gr or use about 5-6 gr of bullseye

 

[gman]

Ben,
My NOE mold will drop a tad over .360. I have plenty of unique. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

 

[gman]

I'll try that Josh.

 

[Ben]

If your rifle won't shoot Unique with a .360", you better stop and start asking some questions ! !

 

[Ben]

My 358 Win. has a 3 groove barrel and is a true .358 bore rifle.
Here it is with the RCBS 200 gr., 35 cal. bullet that has been plain based.
I'll take the blame for the " high right " round, the other 4 are where they should be.

 

[quicksylver]

That vertical stringing must be saying something.

A shot gun patern IMO would be caused by bad bullet fit.

Also seems like an awful lot of lube on the muzzle.

 

[35 shooter]

Another vote for sizing .360. I get the same look at the end of my stainless bbl. as you and i use Ben's Red and Bll lube. Both together or either as a stand alone lube will give that fairly instant lube star(especially noticeable on stainless). It's not your lube as you already proved with your 1895.