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gschwertley
veteran member
Posts: 58
(11/19/04 12:24 am)
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Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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Taking the advice of Nam Barney (and CE Harris), tonight at the range I tested a load of 205 gr lead bullet over 16.0 grains of H2400 and it worked like a champ. Also tried some at 18.0 grains and the groups started to open up, so I don't know if any more load development is warranted. As Nam Barney said, the point of impact was right at point of aim even though this is a reduced load. Very handy.
I used .32 Hornady gas checks on these lead bullets made from a Lee mould. I crimped them on in the sizing process using the Lee sizer and liquid alox lube. I have to wonder, what with the very short neck (and consequently bearing surface on the bullet) on the 8x56R case, does the gas check always stay on? This would not be much concern in a case with a longer neck, where the gas check would actually be inside the neck of the case. In the 8x56R, however, the checked end of the bullet protrudes into the case itself, where the check is "hanging out there" relying strictly on its crimp to hold it in place. I have to wonder, does seating the bullet sometimes disturb the crimp on the gas check, or does the turbulence of the combustion of the propellant sometimes dislodge the gas check -- any thoughts?
nam barney
Moderator host
Posts: 436
(11/19/04 7:46 am)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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And does the refrigerator light really go out when I close the door? Seriously though that is one of the things I just take for granted. But I think the crimp holds firmly enough to keep it in place up untill the moment the explosion of the powder pushes it in place as the bullet exits the case and boogies down the barrel and into the target. I have no clinical proof, one way or the other. buuuuutttttt--- now you really have me thinkin. How can I capture this bullet intact for maybe 10 rounds so I can verify what is taking place?
Definitely food for thought!!
And thanks for taking the time to at least try the Harris load. And thanks for posting the results. Hope you get a chance to try it in other applications. I'm really sold on it. Have you noticed any deviations in accuracy or dangerous pressure signs from round to round?
nb
Edited by: nam barney at: 11/19/04 7:53 am
yockey5
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Posts: 2840
(11/19/04 8:29 am)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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Thanks for the info here. I need to get some gas checks for the 8x56r.
Don
Yesterdays Weapons forums
http:pub151.ezboard.com/bsteyrmannlicher
Love my Yugo 59/66
gschwertley
veteran member
Posts: 62
(11/20/04 3:28 am)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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nb: They all poofed off with nary a whimper, one as much like the other; no indications of deviation that I could detect with the ordinary human senses. Cases look like they haven't been fired, no expansion at the web. Cases were not smoked. Primer edges still rounded. The 2400 was a little smokey. Again I say, no chronograph used so no scientific way to measure deviation. There is utterly no doubt that I will be trying this out in other calibers; I started with the 8x56R only because I was playing around with my cast bullets and gas checks. I don't much like bullet casting, but I like having the capability and I like the results when I am finished. Casting bullets is to reloading as fly-fishing is to fishing; it takes practice and skills beyond the ordinary. I should say, SUCCESSFUL bullet casting should be so characterized.
Back to the 8x56R. I am aware of the "NO CRIMPING" dictum in seating cast rifle bullets. I find, however, that I feel a need to SLIGHTLY crimp lead bullets in the 8X56R due to the short neck area and potential for light bullet pull. My accuracy seems to be unaffected by this so far.
Another consideration with bullet pull in the 8x56R. In re-sizing jacketed bullets with the Lee sizing die, on one batch of 200 gr Speers, the base of the bullet had about .001 springback. So the base was at .330 and the remainder was .329. When I went to seat these bullets, the base went in, expanded the case neck to .330, and then when the base passed out of the neck into the main body of the case, the .329 bullet shank was somewhat loose in the neck. A heavy crimp made this batch usable (as heavy as I could use on a bullet without cannelure), but I was not pleased with this situation. A subsequent batch of the same bullet did not present this problem. Comments? Experiences?
nam barney
Moderator host
Posts: 440
(11/24/04 7:15 am)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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Just read an interesting idea on Bill's forums. Graf's has a .330 dia. 100 gr. TMJ RN bullet for the 8MM Lebel Rev. The poster was thinking this would make a fine "gallery load" if loaded with small charges of Unique or other pistol powders. I might have a whirl at this one.
Any comments or cautions welcome.
nb
gschwertley
veteran member
Posts: 82
(11/24/04 11:29 pm)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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I have done things like that with half-jacketed 100 gr. .308's in .30-06 with success (powder "down" always in that big case). Have also used jacketed .357 revolver bullets in .35 Remington, but not with the small charges of fast-burning powders like Red Dot or Unique.
Gallery loads typically are made with lead bullets. You might be interested in going over to that Finn website that I have mentioned in other posts, Gunwriters on the Web; this matter is under some discussion there. Also read a post on another message board that reprinted another CE Harris article about this very topic, including the interchangeability of lead and jacketed bullets in this kind of load. It was on Military Firearm Restoration Corner, Ammunition and Reloading, post name "Load--Red Dot". This post is on the second page of Ammo. and Reloading, third from the bottom. Try p067.ezboard.com/fmilitar...ornerfrm52
gschwertley
veteran member
Posts: 83
(11/25/04 3:25 pm)
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Re: Reduced Loads for 8x56R; Gas Checks
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That link should be "fmilitaryfirearmrestorationcornerfrm52".
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