Load data for 314-129

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What powders & charges are appropriate for this bullet?  What should the OAL be?

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[jeffmichelParticipant]

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You’ll need to provide a bit more information, caliber, PB or G/C, expectation as to velocity, usage.

[jameslantz]

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It is a brass GC mould.  I have shot it out of a Serbian O-PAP 7.62×39 with groove diameter of .312.  I have .310, .311, .312, & .313 sizing dies.  Thus far, it is cast of Lyman #2 with weight of 128.5 grains & loaded to OAL of 2.160″ over 26 grains of RL-7.  Velocity of a 15 shot string was 2206 fps avg with ES 66 & std deviation 18.  I’ve only shot it so far sized to .313.  Accuracy was terrible at 50 meters with 10″ groups.  This rifle will normally shoot 2-3″ groups with steel cased factory ammo or reloads with Hornady 123 gr .310 FMJ bullets.  Rifle cleaned easily afterwards so the Orange Magic lube did its job.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I plan to continue testing with the smaller sizing dies. I’m perplexed as to why .310 bullets would shoot better.  Additionally, the cartridges were checked for concentricity & were all within 1-2 thousandths.

[jeffmichelParticipant]

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Were me, I’d slow it down and size at least .314. I shoot the same bullet over 15 gr. of RL7 out of a CZ 527 and a single shot Baikal and usually runs about 3/4 inch at 50 yards. Ak’s are pretty tough to get real good accuracy. Just my opinion.

[steveleonardParticipant]

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You are using gas checks, right?

To have any chance of accuracy you’ll need to harden your bullets by either water dropping bullets from the mold or heat treating in an oven at say 450*F and quenching in cold water. Wait at least 5 days for heat treated bullets to age harden before shooting.

I would also mix the Lyman #2 with 50% pure lead to reduce the tin content of the bullets before heat treating. Tin works against heat treating.

Size bullets at least .001″ over groove size. As has been said, I’d size those bullets to .314″, too.

[jameslantz]

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Yes, I am using gas checks.  I plan to test fire differently sized bullets from .310 to .314 at reduced velocity.  I will also try water quenching as suggested.  It seems weird that both of my Serbian barrels, & Bulgarian barrel slugged at .312 when they’re supposed to be .310.

[Author]

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