Gew88 Range Report!

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I shot all day, then shot for groups tonight. Interestingly enough, when I let my lady fire, she had a misfire with a Federal primer. First one I've experienced. Figured it was maybe missing the anvil, but nope, it was there. Plenty of striking power, and I did multiple strikes, anyway. Ended up well-dented, but never did fire. No other problems.

Now, I was going to have a very nice target to show you. I shot prone at only 60 yards and they grouped all into 1" with one flier taking it to 1.5". Unfortunately, though, they were a foot high and not on the target.

I ordered a Mauser sight blank from Brownell's which will either work or will be modified to work while this one is just put up.

I did notice, though, that the primers are backing out a bit. Not sure what's causing this. The headspace gauge returned OK, but I put a field gauge on order from Brownell's with the sight, just in case.

I honestly think the load might be too light. The cases are all fireformed and I am seating the 200grn bullet to a depth of 3" exactly. Charge is 40.5 grains of Varget.

If the rifle's throat is relieved as I suspect it might be, then this would make sense. They back out about like when one fires a primer only with no powder.

Now, I'll tell you why I think the throat and lead may be relieved: I have this method, which some find cool and others think is really stupid, but I've yet to have any problems -- I just fire a bullet into the lead with a primer. I do not use powder. I then knock it out from the muzzle and measure it.

The 0.318" bullet I did this with shows very light rifling marks. I mean, I can't even feel them unless I use my thumbnail.

So, not enough pressure? Bump it up to 41grns and see what happens?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Josh

 

[Scorch]

Primers backing out is an indicator of low pressure loads.

 

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

To further clarify, here's a few pics. I bumped the charge up 1/2 grain and the backed out primers are much better. I'm betting if I bump it up again, they'll go away entirely.

I'm finding it fascinating that the cases actually seem to shrink compared to unfired but sized cases, and that the neck opens up as much as it does.

Comments?

Thanks,

Josh

P.S. Thinking about it further, I've not had any brass cut using the Lee sizer. I figured it was just the mild loads... but could the brass actually be shrinking lengthwise while fattening up around the case mouth and maybe the middle? Thanks, J.S.

 

[Gunplummer]

Don't load up without checking, but it sounds as if you may have a .323 barrel on that rifle.

 

[Darren007]

it sounds as if you may have a .323 barrel on that rifle.

Indeed, many of those rifles were converted to the .323 bore after the adoption of the new round in 1905.