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Powder choice for 303 ? |
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britrifles 
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Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404 |
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 Posted: December 21 2023 at 1:47pm |
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Most double based powders are temp sensitive. Brian Litz provided this data:
Good double based powders. 1 fps per deg F Average single based powders .3 to .5 fps per deg F Best single based powders. .1 to .2 fps per deg F You can get into trouble developing a load with temp sensitive powders in cold weather then shoot them in very hot weather. Best stay well away from max loads with BL(c), true with any powder for that matter. Varget is quite temp stable. I tested this in my own loads. The velocity difference from 45 deg F to 78 deg F was 11 fps. The elevation difference at 1000 yds was less than 1 MOA, and not noticeable at 600 yds. My AA 2520 load (double based powder) in .223 was very different. I quickly became frustrated hat my 600 yard zero’s were constantly changing with temps, not what you want in shooting service rifle matches with no sighters. Varget is available in the US, and pairs very nicely with the 174 Sierra MK, it’s been my go to match load for a number of years now. |
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Goosic
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Posted: December 21 2023 at 2:51pm |
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Krisincolfax.
If you are just looking to do some target practicing every now and then when using the 174grn FMJ-BT, you cannot go wrong using 36.0grns of IMR3031 or 37.0grns of IMR4064 or 38.0grns of IMR4895. All three of those charge weights will keep the FPS around 2300. Even that dastardly double based propellant VihtaVuori N540 is an excellent choice when the charge weight is kept at the starting weight of 39.7grns. The fps will be averaged out at 2388 or less in most cases. The nice thing is that the chamber pressures never exceed 42,000 CUP for all 4 mentioned smokeless propellants...
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Honkytonk
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Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 5190 |
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Posted: December 21 2023 at 3:03pm |
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I use H4895 in all my Lee Enfields. Mostly to control inventory, but they all seem to shoot it well. Now, bullet weight is a different bird! Some like 180gr, some like 150 pills. I will add, the ones that like 150's really, really hate the 180's! I keep all my loads (even hunting loads) well south of max powder charge. Deer and targets aren't going to feel the difference of 100 fps!
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Shamu
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Posted: December 21 2023 at 3:09pm |
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There's a lot of "Usable" load data out there but not all of it is "Accurate" load data!
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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britrifles
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Posted: December 21 2023 at 3:46pm |
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H4895 is an incredibly versatile powder. Especially good in large capacity cases like the .30-06. Excellent in the .223, .303 and .308, and many other cartridges. Particularly good for reduced loads, even suitsble for cast bullet loads in many rifle cartridges. Quite temp stable, I see no elevation change out to 600 yards in temps from the 30’s to 90’s F in my AR Service Rifle. I wish I could get it, it’s been very hard to find in the US now for a few years. It’s my go to powder for .223 service rifle.
If your in to double based powders, you can find the new Winchester StaBall line. I bought a 8 lb jug of the StaBall Match before I discovered the long term effects of double based propellants. This powder is supposed to be quite temp stable and is available in the US at decent prices too, much cheaper than the holy grail VV N540 powder. I put this aside to use if I can't find a suitable single based propellant for the AR. |
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Krisincolfax
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Joined: December 01 2023 Location: Washington St. Status: Offline Points: 36 |
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Posted: December 22 2023 at 1:06pm |
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Think I might go with Varget as it sounds to be the most stable for temp. and can be used in 7.62x54R and 7.92x57 Mauser IS ( with a 150 grain FB spitzer ) as well . So if BLC 2 is temp sensitive and is basically the old BL type C that the Brits used in WW2 Africa how did that work out in the heat ?
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Rifleman 184
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Joined: July 13 2022 Location: Californa, USA Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: December 22 2023 at 1:33pm |
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My loads are fairly mild and it get hot where I live. I keep ammo out of the sun and haven't notice any pressure issues. been using this load for a very long time. Let you know what I come up with for 6.5 StaBall
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britrifles
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Posted: December 22 2023 at 3:10pm |
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Big difference in ammunition standards expected for accuracy in WWII wartime service ammunition and what we look for with handloads.
There has been occasions when certain lots of ball ammunition produced high pressures and was pulled back from issue. This was typically because the ammunition was required to achieve a specified muzzle velocity (2440 fps) and if that was done in cool or moderate temps, it would overpressure in very hot temps. I don’t think the UK or Canada loaded any Mk 7z with BL(C), but Winchester did. |
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Honkytonk
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Posted: December 22 2023 at 3:31pm |
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Actually, I believe it was Goosic who gave some sage advice to .303 shooters like me quite a while back. Personally, I'm not confident enough nor do I see the need to accurize any of my L-E's for my type of shooting. 100 yd s at the range and maybe a 200 yd maximum shot hunting. So the performance of bullets (accuracy) has only been tinkered with by adjusting powder load and bullet weight. His sage advise? "Palm of hand" MOA... that's what they were designed to shoot from the factory. I'm a good day, all of mine shoot within that, some, again on a good day, just under 2" . I'm happy with this! Thanks for listening!
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britrifles
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Posted: December 22 2023 at 4:00pm |
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Yes, it’s all about reasonable expectations and what you’re looking to use the rifle for. Just general plinking, shooting paper off the bench, hunting or competing in matches. A good barrel with good forend bedding and the right load can certainly shoot quite well, and much better than it was intended to shoot. That’s why it made a very effective sniper rifle.
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Dragunov
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Posted: December 23 2023 at 9:02am |
Some wise reasoning there Brit! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
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Goosic
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Posted: December 23 2023 at 10:17am |
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Honkytonk mentions "Adjusting Powder Charge and Bullet Weights." The Key to Success in a nutsheII. Regardless of powder choice, be it single or double based, accuracy is mainly obtained by customizing the load to the rifle. Go too far and you end up with negative results. Not to go too far off tangent here but, stick to adjusting the load and not the rifle itself. It is a common misnomer that the Lee-Enfield HAS to be accurized as soon as you, the new owner recieves it, especially if it still wearing its original furniture and more so if the rifle has been "Sporterized." The Old Adage of K.I.S.S. applies heavily here. Everyone has their Go-To powder choice so stick with it and adjust it to your rifles temperament and leave the Accurizing alone unless it absolutely HAS to be done...
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britrifles wrote: