Spindrift
Well-Known Member
The Lee TL309-230-5R is an unusual and intriguing bullet design. So intriguing, in fact, that I bought one a few months ago, even though I have no Blackout or similar fast-twist rifle for which it is designed. It looks like a flying pencil; long, slender, pointy- and with a boat tail. You can crimp a gas check there, if you want.
All my .30- cal bores are 1:10 twist. Trying to stabilize this bullet at subsonic velocities from these barrels would probably make Mr. Greenhill- not only turn, but positively twist in his grave.
But what if..... I flip it around, and shoot it back-to-front? Then it would be a heavy-for-caliber, WFN bullet with a looong boat tail, and the center of gravity in the front half of the bullet. Should be more inherently stable (and interesting, from a terminal ballistics perspective).
I have decided to try this in my R700, .30-06. As you can see from the photo, the bullet heavily intrudes into the boiler room of the cartridge, restricting powder space (and theroretically increasing pressure). To start with, I shot a few rounds over the chrono today. My ambitions were only to get a few data points, anf not blow up the rifle. Success!
Viht N32c powder, Norma cases, WLRP. Single (slightly patchy) layer PC. Loaded to light jam fit.
7grs: 840fps
8grs: 912 fps
9grs: 984 fps
9,5 grs: 1017 fps
Next, I am going to shoot some groups, se what this puppy can do. If any of you have this mold, and feel the spark of inspiration, feel free to load, shoot and contribute your experiences!
Spin
All my .30- cal bores are 1:10 twist. Trying to stabilize this bullet at subsonic velocities from these barrels would probably make Mr. Greenhill- not only turn, but positively twist in his grave.
But what if..... I flip it around, and shoot it back-to-front? Then it would be a heavy-for-caliber, WFN bullet with a looong boat tail, and the center of gravity in the front half of the bullet. Should be more inherently stable (and interesting, from a terminal ballistics perspective).
I have decided to try this in my R700, .30-06. As you can see from the photo, the bullet heavily intrudes into the boiler room of the cartridge, restricting powder space (and theroretically increasing pressure). To start with, I shot a few rounds over the chrono today. My ambitions were only to get a few data points, anf not blow up the rifle. Success!
Viht N32c powder, Norma cases, WLRP. Single (slightly patchy) layer PC. Loaded to light jam fit.
7grs: 840fps
8grs: 912 fps
9grs: 984 fps
9,5 grs: 1017 fps
Next, I am going to shoot some groups, se what this puppy can do. If any of you have this mold, and feel the spark of inspiration, feel free to load, shoot and contribute your experiences!
Spin