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.
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.