Range day today

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Just came back from a nice day at the range. I have started load development with the Lee c309-150-F, in my Howa .308 win. The Howa is bedded into a GRS berserk stock, and fitted with a Timney trigger. Recently got some N110, after the good advice of some of the knowledgeble people on this forum. The alloy I am trying now, is unmodified «nuclear medicine lead». It has an air cooled «pencil hardness number» of 11-12. Water quenches to only 13, age hardens two weeks after air cooling to about 13 also. In other words, a seemingly very stable alloy, which is also malleable. It is dense, the c309-150-F weigh around 158grs.

Earlier, I have shot this bullet into water containers using 20 grs D060 (A5744-ish). It penetrated 16in, expanded to 2xcaliber, retained weight 90%.

I have started load development using a very basic method; visual inspection, no weight sorting/checking, aluminum GC, size to .309, tumble lube, load, shoot. Cases are collet neck sized, and flared with Lee universal die. Clean cases only when absolutely necessary, like when there is residual bullet lube on the outside of the case. Never anneal. Neck tension 0,0015in. CCI LRP.

My default tumble lube has been 60/40 X-lox and «boat wax»; the latter is a liquified hard wax (unknown type...) meant for polishing the exterior of fibreglass boats. It has worked quite well (from my perspective, as a cast bullet toddler with modest expectations..). Today, I tried a new lube; 70/30 x-lox, and «Liberon Black Bison liquid furniture wax». This is a turpentine- based liquid wax containing 11 different waxes, one of which is carnauba (as for the others. I don´t know). It looked promising, in fact the best group today was with 18grs N- 110, and the new lube.

In the target below, the bullseye (and increments between the circles) is 30mm, which closely corresponds to 1 MOA at 100 m. Shot from prone position, with rest on a bag. I think this 5 shot group is near 1,5 MOA. Which is not actually stellar accuracy, but I am happy with this for a start. I will try primer change next, I think. Then introduce gradually more sophisticated methods of bullet and brass preparations (which all mean more work). The new lube (I call it «Bison gravy» looks interesting, wil test it more.
 

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smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Nice write-up Spindrift. Impressive rifle and marksmanship.

Whenever I see a rifle like this one, I'm reminded of how far behind the times I have fallen. With the exception of one rifle (musket) that has a piece of leather and a chunk of flint, I'm pretty sure I don't own any rifles that have a single part or component in it or on it that is fabricated of any material other than a metal or wood.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Thanks, folks!
I got no lube star at all yesterday, but i shot only 30 shots with cast (15 with my «boat wax- lube, and 15 with the «Bison gravy). Shot the cast bullets directly after shooting jacketed bullets, the barrel already had some copper washing (about 200 jacketed bullets shot since last time I removed copper). The barrel was quite hot, to hot to touch, but this rifle doesn´t mind that much.

Smokeywolf; I also like rifles of a more classical design. I love the «friendly» feel of a wooden stock. What I fell for with this stock, was the adjustability. I am slightly larger than the norm (6`6/240ibs) and most rifle stocks are to short, to low etc. With this stock, I got to shoot with a stock that actually fit me- and that is really nice. The GRS- stocks feature a pistol grip with a 6 degree lateral angulation. Looks kind of strange, but it does wonders in relieving wrist tension.

35 shooter; I will test the new lube further, and will report when I have a little more data. If this mix is good, it may be of relevance to others, as the «black bison liquid wax» seems to be available on ebay. My knowledge in lube dynamics/chemistry is limited. If I find something that «seems to have good barrel vitamins innit», I shoot it and carefully record the results. And, by reading the many insights offered in this forum, I learn new things about the complex field of bullet lube (or «barrel membrane», as I think of it). Used to know nothing, now I am slightly confused on a more sophisticated level- which is progress
 
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Intheshop

Banned
Ditto above,nice write up!

Great looking rig,love those GRS boys,they're doing a fine job.Keep hammering on shooter technique,the longer barrel time of cast means everything you do input wise,is more "delicate" (important)than faster moving JB's.

Makes me want to go blast some 308's,haha.
 

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
Great report, good shooting. Didn't see what distance you were shooting. Don't want to get into politics, but curious about gun owner ship in Norway. Reasonable laws?
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Shot at 100m.
Hunters in Norway can own 6 weapons, unlimited nummer of barrels and parts. Handguns can be bought by members of shooting clubs. Handguns are not allowed for hunting. In addition, you can buy target rifles, AR-type guns, trap /skeet guns if you can document activity in a relevant shooting sport.
When we want to buy some sort of firearms, we apply to our local police station, were they check criminal record etc.
Compared to the US, these are quite strict regulations. But by european standards, not too bad....
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
not really any worse, your just limited in the amount you can own.
that just forces you to focus on one/two disciplines rather than dabble at this and dabble at that.
in any one month I might shoot some cast bullets for fun, then shoot some registered trap on sunday, attend a lever gun silhouette match on a saturday, then do some bench shooting at the club on Wednesday night.
sometime during the week I might go deer or elk or dove or grouse or ground squirrel hunting.
I don't think I could do that with 6 specific rifles and shot guns.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I've had days that I hunted ducks , shot rabbits , quail , and a coyote on the way back to the truck and hunted sage hen and chucker after lunch .
I've been on deer hunting trips where blue grouse and chucker were the hunt .
I've also become fond of the companion gun system . All I need now is a BFR in 45-70 or 30-30 .
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
A 45-70 and 30-30 sure covers many scenarios, especially for the cast bullet shooter and hunter. Personally, the more I shoot, the more fond I grow f the .30-06. But; I use jacketed bullets for my large game hunting (moose, caribou)