- Mar 9, 2011
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I decided to take a range day this morning, since I've been reloading quite alot of ammunition. I took a 30-06, a WW2 Japanese 6.5mmx50 Arisaka, a .44 magnum revolver, and a 9mm pistol. A good range day requires alot of stuff, so here it was loaded in the back of the car...
The first firearm I wanted to shoot was a World War One era P-1917 Enfield 30-06 that was manufactured sometime around 1918. It had been sporterized back in the 1960's. Gunsmithing back then was a highly-developed art, and whomever did the rework did a really nice job...
When I got to the range, it was cloudy and 21 degrees. I tacked a blanket around the bench and fired up a 1950's kerosene heater to take the edge off the cold...
The first five rounds I put through the Enfield were some 1942-dated USGI military ammo with 150 grain bullets. I was shooting at a target placed out at 100 yards...
I then commenced to shoot the handloads I loaded, starting with the minimum charge of 42.0 grains of IMR 3031 powder, and increasing each group of five shots by 0.5 grains per step. By the time I got up to 44.5 grains of powder, the shot groups started tightening up...
By the time I got to the ones loaded with 45 grains of powder, the shot groups were pretty tight, except for the two flyers. I probably flinched due to the recoil. The bullets were traveling on an average of 2660 fps as measured on the chronograph, which is a little slow. The maximum velocity for this weight bullet is somewhere around 2900 fps, so I'll ease the next batch of handloads up a little at a time...
I never did shoot the Japanese rifle, .44 magnum, or the 9mm. Four hours out in the 21 degree cold and I was ready to go home. Maybe next time.
The first firearm I wanted to shoot was a World War One era P-1917 Enfield 30-06 that was manufactured sometime around 1918. It had been sporterized back in the 1960's. Gunsmithing back then was a highly-developed art, and whomever did the rework did a really nice job...
When I got to the range, it was cloudy and 21 degrees. I tacked a blanket around the bench and fired up a 1950's kerosene heater to take the edge off the cold...
The first five rounds I put through the Enfield were some 1942-dated USGI military ammo with 150 grain bullets. I was shooting at a target placed out at 100 yards...
I then commenced to shoot the handloads I loaded, starting with the minimum charge of 42.0 grains of IMR 3031 powder, and increasing each group of five shots by 0.5 grains per step. By the time I got up to 44.5 grains of powder, the shot groups started tightening up...
By the time I got to the ones loaded with 45 grains of powder, the shot groups were pretty tight, except for the two flyers. I probably flinched due to the recoil. The bullets were traveling on an average of 2660 fps as measured on the chronograph, which is a little slow. The maximum velocity for this weight bullet is somewhere around 2900 fps, so I'll ease the next batch of handloads up a little at a time...
I never did shoot the Japanese rifle, .44 magnum, or the 9mm. Four hours out in the 21 degree cold and I was ready to go home. Maybe next time.
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