Help.
Gentlemen: I need some experienced counsel. I have been reloading for almost 20 years. I reload for 8 rifles ranging from the .243 Win to the .338 WinMag. But this is my first milsurp.
I’m trying to work up a load for a hog hunt coming in a few weeks.
Rifle: 1916 Carl Gustav M38 6.5x55
Bullet: 155gr Lapua Mega
Case: PPU, Once-fired, partial full-length resize.
Powder: RL 22
During this period of limited powder and bullet options. I chose a recipe from Vihtavouri that called for 42.3- 49grs of N165 with Velocities between 2223-2478 fps. Can’t get N165. So the best info I could find said RL22 was a good substitute.
Searching for my rifle lands I Stretched the COAL out to 3.05”. Stopped before I found them.My First ladder test started at 47.5 gr. My velocities were 2,650 to 2675!! My primers are not flattening at all. But they are cratering.
I stopped and loaded a new string starting at 45grs and velocities dropped to 2550-2575. But the primer still cratered. I Stopped and started another string at 42.5grs. My velocities dropped to 2435-2460. My accuracy was excellent but there was still minor cratering. I thought I would try again.
I loaded a string starting at 40grs. Because I was using cases that I had pulled bullets from, I used what I thought was a medium crimp from a Lee Factory die. My Velocities shot back up to 2724, 2726 and 2699 with barely perceptible cratering. But what was going on with the velocities? I turned off my chrono and restarted, thinking maybe it was having a spell (yes, it has acted up before)
I shot my next group at 40.5grs. Velocities were 2574,2549 and 2496.
I like the load of 42.5grs at 2450 fps. Should I be concerned about the minor cratering, knowing it’s an old bolt and firing pin with unmatched numbers. Should I be concerned about this action launching a 155 grain bullet at 2450fps?
Would seating my bullet to the recommended 2.874 COAL help or hurt?
Gentlemen: I need some experienced counsel. I have been reloading for almost 20 years. I reload for 8 rifles ranging from the .243 Win to the .338 WinMag. But this is my first milsurp.
I’m trying to work up a load for a hog hunt coming in a few weeks.
Rifle: 1916 Carl Gustav M38 6.5x55
Bullet: 155gr Lapua Mega
Case: PPU, Once-fired, partial full-length resize.
Powder: RL 22
During this period of limited powder and bullet options. I chose a recipe from Vihtavouri that called for 42.3- 49grs of N165 with Velocities between 2223-2478 fps. Can’t get N165. So the best info I could find said RL22 was a good substitute.
Searching for my rifle lands I Stretched the COAL out to 3.05”. Stopped before I found them.My First ladder test started at 47.5 gr. My velocities were 2,650 to 2675!! My primers are not flattening at all. But they are cratering.
I stopped and loaded a new string starting at 45grs and velocities dropped to 2550-2575. But the primer still cratered. I Stopped and started another string at 42.5grs. My velocities dropped to 2435-2460. My accuracy was excellent but there was still minor cratering. I thought I would try again.
I loaded a string starting at 40grs. Because I was using cases that I had pulled bullets from, I used what I thought was a medium crimp from a Lee Factory die. My Velocities shot back up to 2724, 2726 and 2699 with barely perceptible cratering. But what was going on with the velocities? I turned off my chrono and restarted, thinking maybe it was having a spell (yes, it has acted up before)
I shot my next group at 40.5grs. Velocities were 2574,2549 and 2496.
I like the load of 42.5grs at 2450 fps. Should I be concerned about the minor cratering, knowing it’s an old bolt and firing pin with unmatched numbers. Should I be concerned about this action launching a 155 grain bullet at 2450fps?
Would seating my bullet to the recommended 2.874 COAL help or hurt?