Back from the range. Mixed results.
Max load for 2400 witha 200 gr cast bullet in Lyman manual is 24gr for a velocity of 1845 fps. So I loaded 5 rounds each of 21, 22, 23, and 23.8 gr of 2400. Note that the 200 gr bullet is not the same as the NOE I was using. But that bullet is, although an old Lyman design, not listed. It weighed 198gr +/- 1 grain with most within +/- 0.5 gr..
Here are the chrono results.
Charge-Avg Vel-----SD
21-------1668-------26
22-------1739-------38
23-------1775-------34
23.8-----1815-------27
Yes, I realize that Bc is purely an estimate and will change with both velocity and from any deformation upon firing. But it is the only thing I have to work with so as long as I use the Bc as the basis for any comparisons, I'm at least comparing apples to apples.
The rifle is an original barrel 1903 Springfield made in 1921. Scope is a 10X Lyman STS. Conditions were 39F, bright sun and no wind. Range has high berms on both sides from firing line to target.
Here is the target with all 20 rounds on it. Bullseye is 3 inches in diameter. Distance 100 yds.
Some observations:
-9 of the 20 out outside the black. But 7 of those are in a vertical string within 1 MOA windage.
-The 11 in the Black are within 2 MOA and 2 distinct groups that are 1 MOA or less
- The flyers and the grouping in the black are samples from each of the 4 powder charges. I do recall the low flyer when I saw a higher than normal velocity for that charge on the chrono. At least two others above the Bull were higher than normal in those charges.
- In checking primers for signs of over-pressure, I had several where the primer had backed out a bit past the face of the cartridge base. Never saw that before, ever, with this gun. I know that the bolt had been changed out for a bent bolt to clear the scope. I wondering about headspace. I have the original bolt and swapped it back. It clears the scope so no need for the bent bolt handle bolt anyway.
I had my go-to load of SAECO 315 170gr bullet over 18 gr of 2400 in my ammo box. I was going to use them to warm the barrel and make sure I was on target before shooting the test loads. Turns out my windage was way off. So I shot 10 rounds with the avg speed of 1575fps and SD of 24. Not stellar SD. Original testing yielded an SD of 10. But I shot these at a separate target and the pattern on that target is very similar to the test target, only much smaller.
Here is the target. Note that the group is circled. The shots with the X thru them were me walking the rifle to the center of the target. Cutter X at 11 o'clock was the first of the group. I gave the scope 1 click down and 1 click right and put the next shot at 9 o'clock next to the X. The next three in the group were fired and I did not check where they went until I was done.
What stands out to me, is the pattern of the group shots is very similar to the patter of the testing target shots, just smaller. There is a tight group of 3 shots and 2 flyers in a slightly diagonal vertical string.
I've seen this before shooting this rifle and experienced it at longer yardages in matches. I'd be drilling a gong and then get a flyer that I cannot explain. Now, it might be the swivel catching on the bag. I've forgotten about this more than once since owning/shooting this rifle. I made a point of not letting that happen today. But I might have let a few slip by. I was screwing with my computer and webcam and it was not cooperating so my mind was a bit over-taxed by that and the damn cold. My other thought is the stock is just touching the barrel under certain conditions. I've checked it with a sheet of paper and it always seems fine. But I've got to take a closer look. The military stock with the front band/lug could be messing with me.