Hi guys,
I have a tricky question regarding a suitable ADI powder for a particular hard-cast lead projectile I’m intending to reload in my .303 rifle.
My .303 rifle details / specifications are as follows:
Lee Enfield 1942 => No.1 Mk III* (this rifle is fitted with an excellent condition “H” barrel (ie. heavy barrel), and can shoot a 5 shot x 1 inch group at 100 metres using PPU 150grn factory ammunition).
Barrel Groove Dia: 0.313”
Barrel Bore Dia: 0.302” (this measurement appears to be one thou tighter than it should be at 0.303”)
Number of Rifling Lands: 5
Barrel Length: 25.5”
Rifling Twist: 1 in 10” (left-hand twist)
Both the groove & bore diameters were measured by “slugging” the barrel and then measuring the slug with a micrometer.
The hard-cast projectile I’m intending to reload has the following specifications:
Mould Manufacturer: Cast Bullet Engineering (Kingsthorpe Qld 4400 - just west of Toowoomba)
Contact: David Commens
Mob: 0457 377 310
Email: david@castbulletengineering.com.au
Email: info@castbulletengineering.com.au
Email / Contact Page: http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/contact
Mould Specifications:
Cast Bullet Engineering Mould Number / ID: 315-205GCTL Double Cavity
Mould Material: Brass
Mould Projectile Weight: 205gn (my cast projectiles weigh approximately 213 - 214gns)
Projectile Cast Diameter: 0.315”
Projectile Nose Diameter: 0.303”
Projectile Profile: Gas checked, micro-grooved & tumble lubed (I will be using the Cast Bullet Engineering “45-45-10 Liquid Lube”, which allows for slightly higher velocities than “Lee Liquid Alox” cast bullet lube)
Projectile Gas Check Shank Diameter: 0.283"
Projectile Gas Check Material: Aluminium
Mould WebSite: http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au ... ble-cavity
The projectile casting lead alloy that I will be using has the following specifications:
Cast Lead Alloy Supplier:
Northern Smelters Pty Ltd- Bris:
178 North Road, Woodridge, Qld, 4114
Ph: (07) 3208-2724
Lead Alloy Specifications:
Product Name: "2692" (ie. 2% tin, 6% antimony, 92% lead, also known as "Hardball")
BHN Hardness: approx. 16 (when cast without water quenching; water quenching the cast projectile increases the BHN hardness to approx. 21 to 22)
Lead Alloy WebSite (listed under the “Bullet Casting Alloys” sub-heading): https://www.northernsmelters.com.au/products
My intention is to cast the projectiles using the above lead alloy and water quench them to increase the BHN hardness to about 21. I will then resize the cast projectile down from 0.315” to 0.314” (ie. one thou above my barrel groove diameter of 0.313”), the projectiles will be lubed with the Cast Bullet Engineering “45-45-10 Liquid Lube” and an aluminium gas check applied / crimped.
The consensus amongst cast projectile reloaders is that the final dimension of the cast projectile should be at least one thou above groove diameter, or even two thou above groove diameter.
I currently have three reloading manuals:
ADI Handloaders Guide – 9th Edition (2016)
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook – 4th Edition (2017)
Lyman Reloading Handbook – 50th Edition (2017)
Both of the above Lyman manuals list reloading data for a 200gn (0.313” dia), cast projectile to suit a 0.313” groove diameter barrel, but unfortunately there is no reloading data for 0.314” diameter cast projectile.
From the “ADI Powder Equivalents” chart there are three powders that are listed in the above Lyman manuals, that have ADI equivalents:
Unique => AP70N
IMR 4227 => AR2205
IMR 4198 => AR2207
My question is; has anyone any load data that would suit the above situation?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.