What Rifle Reloading Did You Do Today?

[62chevy]

You didn't say if the lead bullets leaded the barrel or not. If they did then you need 1 to 2 thousands over grove size so for you that would be .315 to .316 . I cast my own but Missouri bullets should be able to cast what ever size you want.

[JohnnyEnfield]

There was NO noticeable leading at all. It looked like the bullets were sliding through without engaging the rifling though. They would not even hit on the target board/frame anywhere at 50 yards. I had a guy spotting at one point and he could not see where they were hitting off the target board/frame. I then just shot in the berms in different areas to see if the bullets were going down range and they were. No leading though. I shot several kinds of jacketed bullets intermingled with the lead and also cleaned the barrel hot at the range twice and saw no leading.

[62chevy]

Keep in mind size is king and hardness matters when it matters. Sounds like your lube is working but you still may need a bigger bullet. Someone else will have to help you with load data as it is still possible you load is to light for that bullet.

[JohnnyEnfield]

Yes, I will get it figured out and if they are too small I can use them when I start reloading 7.62x54R eventually. They are high tek coated #1 Russian grooveless. I took a chance on them working because I read a post in a forum where a guy used them in his Enfield with good results. The BHN of 20 is hard. I bought a sample pack of 100, I think they were $15 delivered. Totally worth it for the experience. I wanted to test them and test them I will. I like the bullets and will definitely try them in my Mosins eventually. At this rate I will need to buy more. LOL

[Ranch Dog]

If your groove diameter is .314", there is no way that a cast bullet under that diameter can workout. You can get away with jacketed bullets if their diameter is between your bore & groove diameter, but not with a cast bullet.

[JohnnyEnfield]

I am pretty certain the grooves are right at .314. When I slugged barrel it was very difficult to get a good reading so I actually took my calipers and lined them up in the muzzle where the 2 grooves are and that was the consistent diameter, .314. I will shoot these through it anyway because I don't want to pull them. Then use the Speer bullets when they come. I will see if I can order larger diameter from Missouri bullets. Jacketed bullets are fine too, was just trying to save money and experiment a little. My results with Russian pulled 185 gr bullets were encouraging. That went better than I expected.

[RBHarter]

I ran a magazine of work up loads for the new 6.8 barrel .
5 loads , 5 rounds , 1 magazine .
Compact carry and handy too .

[Ranch Dog]

I am pretty certain the grooves are right at .314. When I slugged barrel it was very difficult to get a good reading so I actually took my calipers and lined them up in the muzzle where the 2 grooves are and that was the consistent diameter, .314. I will shoot these through it anyway because I don't want to pull them. Then use the Speer bullets when they come. I will see if I can order larger diameter from Missouri bullets. Jacketed bullets are fine too, was just trying to save money and experiment a little. My results with Russian pulled 185 gr bullets were encouraging. That went better than I expected.

It is better to slug the barrel with a lead fishing sinker. I thought I had a topic here on how to do it, but if so, can not find it. I will get one posted in a couple days.

[JohnnyEnfield]

I pulled my lead projectiles that didn't work well in .303 British and had to de-prime the cases and re shape the necks. But, I reloaded 20 of them with 180 grain Speer Hot Core bullets and 37.5 grains of CFE 223. When I can get to the local gun store I will see if he has Hybrid 100V so I can try it out in the future. Not sure when I will get to check my new hand loads at the range. I have some other empty brass I may do a different load in. Stay safe everyone, happy hand loading!

[Ranch Dog]

[mod="Ranch Dog"]I use these "...Did you Do Today?" topics to identify a certain level of interest that would be better served in a stand-alone topic. GasGuzzler's move to the 7.62x39 here and on my Rossi-Rifleman Forum warranted such a move.

The new topic is 7.62x39 Handloading and includes the information from the Rossi-Rifleman Forum.[/mod]