Yesterday's Weapons Forums

I took my Mosin Nagant PU sniper to the range last week.
I reloaded some ammo with 4 different loads to see how she performed.

Load data:
S&B brass trimmed back to 53.45mm
S&B LR primers
182 gn Prvi Partisan FMJBT bullet in cal .311
4 different loads of VihtaVuori N110: 27.2 / 27.4 / 27.6 and 27.8 gn.
COL: 76.5mm

First 3 loads didn't group at all.
The first 3 rounds with the 27.8 gn load grouped nicely.
Numbers 4 to 10 drifted all the way to the right.
I checked everything.....I thought....
When I got home I remembered that I hadn't checked the glass.
All 3 screws that hold the glass in the mount were loose.
No wonder the last 6 rounds drifted to the right.

I reloaded 40 new ones this evening using the same brass, bullet and primers.
Only one load: 28 gn of VihtaVuori N110, but 4 different seating depths this time.
75.0mm / 74.5mm / 74.0mm and 73.5mm.
Got some range time coming up this Sunday.
I'll let you know how she performed.

Oh....some pictures ofcourse.



Made 40 of these for coming Sunday.





Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Ah, yes... details! Happens to me all the time!

You will have it all sorted out next time, Then... get "snake-eyed" and pres-s-s-s-s-s the trigger.

Right in the center!! SW

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Slava Ukraini!!

Martin,
Is N110 the only powder you have? I would have thought that it is too fast burning for 182gr and that N140 or N150 would be more suitable or are you going for short range target loads? Do you have any chronograph data?

Great pics by the way.

Greg

Martin,
Thanks for the information. I was unaware that you could get good accuracy with jackets, fast powders, and reduced charges. I had always reserved fast powders for lead bullets until recently when I started to use Alliant Steel (its only a little faster than N110) to fire form 6.5 x257R Roberts Improved cases in an M95 Steyr. I had some old Norma 77 grain sp and no load data so I used them. I can now see using these powders for reduced loads even in a 182 grain jacketed bullet since they are easier to ignite in a partially filled case than slow powders. I will have to see what kind of groups I get after the barrel breaks in.

ida lost them suckers in the grass at the range and been crawling around on my hands and knees [with a flashlight ]

Your welcome oldernavy.

@ A square 10:
Just my luck Michael.
There's no grass growing on the indoor range.

Didn't go to the range last Sunday.
Totally forgot that it was "FATHERSDAY".
My daughters didn't forget though.
I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast in bed.

So.....new plan........ next Saturday.
I'll keep you all posted.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

OK....went to the range this morning.
I made 4 sets of 10 cartridges.
Each set had a load of 28 grains of VihtaVuori N110, but a different seating depth.
I worked down from 75mm, 74.5mm, 74mm to 73.5mm.
Long story short....the shorter the cartridge, the smaller the group.
The group was still to big and a bit to the right, but I'm getting there.
When the group is small enough, I will start adjusting the scope.

Next trip to the range is planned for next week Sunday.
Ammo is ready and so am I.
I'll keep you posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

eagerly awaiting results

GG

_________________
A dart or a sledgehammer What do you prefer?

Old Thor ain't got nothing on me.



Gungrubber

Again some range time this morning.
I (double) checked all screws before I went.
All cartridges that I took with me to the range had a load of 28 grains of VihtaVuori N110 powder.
Half of the ammo had a COL of 73.5mm, the other half a COL of 73mm.
Because of the reduced load I had to set the scope distance at 250 meters.
The group was still a bit too much to the right.
After adjusting the windage and using the cartridges with a COL of 73mm I had all hits "in the black".

The group is still a bit too big though.
This might be caused by the weight difference of the Prvi Partisan bullets.
I will get myself some 174grain HPBT Sierras.
I think they will perform a bit better.
Might take some more time, but I will get there.

Will keep you all posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Once you get it figured out and get the group size where you want then it is just strictly shooting after that.

Rad

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NRA Benefactor Member
AMA Life Member
Tri-State Gun Collectors Life Member

I agree Rad, but I like testing with different loads and seating depths too.
To be honest.....reloading and testing are things I like best about this hobby.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Well, I'm not a real big fan of S&B brass, and did not even know they made primers. I wonder if their primers fit their brass better than my Winchester or CCI primers? Their pockets seem EXTREMELY tight to me.

Keep all te good info coming Martin!

All info is good info

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It's 5 o'clock and it's watermelon time.....................
because you can't drink beer & load rockets - TXPete

OK, a quick update.
Groups were getting smaller, but were still too big because of the weight difference of the Prvi Partisan bullets.
So, I bought some 174gn .311 HPBT Sierra Matchkings.
The COL will go up to 76mm compared to the 73mm with the Prvi bullets.

I will use the same N110 powder but will start with 2 different loads (27,5 and 28 gn)
I will reload this week, but I'll take the PU to the range next week Sunday.
Got a club match coming up on Saturday and I use my M39 for this match.
I'll keep you posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Took the PU sniper to the range today.

Here's the load info:
Brass: S&B
Primer: S&B
COL: 75,9mm
Powder: 2 different loads of VihtaVuori N110 (27,5 and 28 grains)
Bullet: 174 grains .311 Sierra Matchking
Results were, IMHO, very good.

The 27,5 grains had the tightest group, but I had to adjust the scope a bit.
First shot however hit the target a bit too far down (yellow spot)
After adjusting the scope the group shifted towards the black ( 4 yellow spots)
After these 5 shots I adjusted the scope again......a bit too much (upper white spot).
Again some adjustment and.......bullseye.
Well, not exactly bullseye, but close enough for me.
The other load (28 grains) hit the target "in the black" with the first shot, but the group was a bit bigger.



Check out the difference with the Prvi Partisan bullets I used last time.
This is the best group using these Yugo bullets.
Yellow dots are the first 5 shots.
After adjusting the scope the results were a bit better(white dots)

Load info:
Brass: S&B
Primer: S&B
COL: 73,0mm
Powder: VihtaVuori N110 (28 grains)
Bullet: 182 grains .311 Prvi Partisan




So I learned something today.
28 grains is too much, the group gets to wide.
When I use 27,5 grains the group gets tighter but I have to adjust the scope.
What I will try next time are 2 different loads.
All the load info will remain the same, but I will put 27,7 and 27,9 grains of VihtaVuori N110 behind the Sierra bullet.
What I hope is that the group will get tighter and will shift towards the bullseye without having to adjust the scope.

I'll get back to you when I have the results.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

You might want to try a load under the 27.5 gr, say about 27.3 if your groups don't get any smaller.

Rad

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NRA Benefactor Member
AMA Life Member
Tri-State Gun Collectors Life Member

Good idea Rad.
I will reload 10 with 27,3 and 10 with 27,7 grains of N110 and see what happens.
I'll keep you all posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin