Bad News: The Chrony is fubar
cheap caldwell P.O.S. thinks Im doing 5700fps.
Good news: Didn't stop me doing the following pressure tests with Lil Gun and W296.
With confirmation of the GSR being tough enough, I will have some FPS load data tomorrow with another chrony, and then some accuracy testing. Today I just want to confirm durability and safety and I began with Hornadys load data from a few years ago. From what I gathered without a chrony, looking at physical pressure signs only there is a lot more to go with the Ruger Scout rifle using the 300 XTP and powder combos that Hornady tested.
***AS ALWAYS dont take my word for it. Find and use the published Hornady data as I did.
I only post this as confirmation that in my experience using the Hornady data, a brand new cleaned and inspected Aus delivered Ruger Gunsite Scout chambered in 450 Bushmaster and using quality reloading equipment, that the published data is accurate in my testing. Also, Lil' Gun and W296 are filthy s**ty powders to work with. They stick to everything and are a pain in the arse to empty from the RCBS Chargemaster. They are nothing like the rifle powders Im used to loading anyway. Pistol loaders will agree im sure
For todays results: Only two rounds of each were fired using the data from Hornady to confirm the 1in16" Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle can handle them. As there is no factory loaded ammo available here (yet), I shot and observed the following at Mickett Creek SSAA range, 27-08-2017, 12.20pm Darwin NT. 33 degrees, sunny, dry and the gentlest of breeze. Shooting offhand at a 25m target through the irons. Ammo was loaded the night before in air conditioned room with Biggy Smalls playing on the Sonos.
300gn Hornady XTP projectile. (not the Mag)
New Hornady case, FLS in Hornady die. Flared, Seated, Crimped with the same die set. (546452) Forster press,forster primer, chargemaster scale double checked on RCBS beam scale, RCBS tin of lube was used and the cases measured ~1.698 ave using a digital mitutoyo caliper. Overall length they came to 2.065. At $85 a bag for the brass, they still resemble the ****** Starline stuff
CCI small rifle BR-4 primer
COAL 2.065
Taper Crimped only to .476@case mouth.
Hodgdon Lil' Gun:
25.5 No pressure signs. Very comfortable
27.2 No pressure signs. Very comfortable
28.8 No pressure signs. Very comfortable
30.5 No pressure signs. No bolt lift change, no extractor smears or other visible signs. Starting to see some good muzzle flash from observers P.O.V.
32.2 Just starting to see the slightest cratering beginning on primer. Bolt lift is the same, no smears on case head from ejector or extractor.
***33.0 NOT TESTED BY HORNADY Similar cratering to 32.2 load. No smears, no bolt lift issue. Starting to feel like 45-70 short barrel recoil.
***33.5 NOT TESTED BY HORNADY Cratering is visible, primer is starting to flatten. Bolt lift is still the same. Case soot is starting to clear.
Winchester 296
28.7 Noticibly sharper recoil than Lil' Gun. More crack than whack. No pressure signs at all on the case. Flames already. (cool!)
30.6 Same as above, no pressure signs, bolt lift the same, every thing looking good. Much less soot on case exterior.
32.6 No pressure signs, starting to feel the recoil but maybe thats just me. Felt like limits must be approaching, but apparently not
34.5 Starting to see some cratering. Bolt lift feels great, no smears. Recoil is starting to be rather firm.
*** 35.0 NOT TESTED BY HORNADY Really starting to feel like my 45-70. Muzzle flash is farkin awesome!! Bolt lift is fine, cant see any smears but on both cases, there is prominent cratering compared to the 34.5 load.
Back tomorrow