Elric
Well-Known Member
Shield’s Magazine, vol 4, no 3, March 1907, page 198
https://books.google.com/books?id=POUXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA198&dq=Bullseye+light+loads&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv2KfDn6jYAhUOwGMKHSghBSYQ6AEISDAH#v=onepage&q=Bullseye light loads&f=false
In November, 1905, I was presented with a Savage, model 1899, .303 caliber rifle. Full loads for this weapon being too powerful for use in the woods near settlements, a lighter charge and bullet were sought. A light load cartridge was readily found, but as it was loaded with straight smokeless, full of nitro, it made thorough cleaning of the rifle, after shooting, an irksome task.
Mullerite powder was brought to my attention. I learned it was being used by the ordnance sergeants of several National Guard regiments in New York and was giving satisfactory results. The makers claim that its residue after firing can be as easily and surely removed as that of black powder, for the reason that Mullerite is washed four or five times during the process of making, to eliminate all free nitro or nitric acid. American powders, I am told, receive only two washings. Mullerite is really a quick burning, low pressure shot gun powder, with perfect combustion and high power.
A set of Ideal reloading tools, No. 6, adjustable for .303 Savage, was used in casting the 154 grain bullet, known as Ideal No. 311243, which has proven satisfactory and accurate. At first I used Hudson's alloy, the formula of which is: Antimony, 7 parts; tin, 7 parts; lead, 86 parts. The proper fluxing of that alloy is difficult, and I finally settled on the Ideal bullet metal, which contains 3 parts copper, 7 parts antimony, 10 parts tin and 80 parts lead.
When the mould has been raised to the proper temperature by casting in it 20 or 30 bullets to be returned to the melting pot, close the mould tightly so it faces up true, release one handle, holding the mould by the other with the left hand and pour with the right. The release of one handle allows sufficient space between the two sections of the mould to permit escape of air without releasing any of the metal. A bullet thus made is always smooth and bright.
I found that 10 grains of Mullerite was enough to drive the 154 grain bullet 20 inches into pine or to kill a woodchuck at ISO yards. The same charge has been used successfully at Creedmoor range, up to 300 yards.
Factory loaded shells are $3.25 a hundred, but may be reloaded with the charge I have described at a cost of 70 cents a hundred. The economy of reloading is not its only advantage; one can vary loads for special purposes and experiment at will with different powders and bullets.
The Savage people say that the accurate range of their 1899 model .303 is 1,000 yards. To satisfy myself I tested my gun at Creedmoor.
The day chosen was November 6, 1906, and the conditions were as near perfection as one could wish. There was a slight, steady nine o'clock wind, necessitating one half point of left wind on the rear sight; mercury 47 degrees Fahr., clear, and no mirage ; time, 3 P. M.
W. R. A. Savage ammunition was used. At 300 yards 5 ½ lines elevation on the Marble rear sight attached to rifle tang, resulted in bullseyes. Four hundred yards called for nine lines; 500 yards, 10 ½ lines; 600 yards, 12 lines; 700 yards, 18 lines; 800 yards, 22 lines. Good groups were made at all distances up to 800 yards. The insufficient latitude of the wind gauge was responsible for non-appearance of the bullseye marker at the 800 yard range, but shots reached the target in a consistent group. I have not the least doubt that with a Buffington sight, which would afford ample elevation, accurate shooting could be done at 1,000 yards.
After this test I picked up a Krag which my companion had been using, and made three bulls out of five shots at 1,000 yards. This score at 4.30 P. M. in November will give an idea of the necessarily perfect weather conditions then prevailing.
L. P. Coleman. Veteran Co. A, 23d Regt., N. Y. N. G.
https://books.google.com/books?id=POUXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA198&dq=Bullseye+light+loads&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv2KfDn6jYAhUOwGMKHSghBSYQ6AEISDAH#v=onepage&q=Bullseye light loads&f=false
In November, 1905, I was presented with a Savage, model 1899, .303 caliber rifle. Full loads for this weapon being too powerful for use in the woods near settlements, a lighter charge and bullet were sought. A light load cartridge was readily found, but as it was loaded with straight smokeless, full of nitro, it made thorough cleaning of the rifle, after shooting, an irksome task.
Mullerite powder was brought to my attention. I learned it was being used by the ordnance sergeants of several National Guard regiments in New York and was giving satisfactory results. The makers claim that its residue after firing can be as easily and surely removed as that of black powder, for the reason that Mullerite is washed four or five times during the process of making, to eliminate all free nitro or nitric acid. American powders, I am told, receive only two washings. Mullerite is really a quick burning, low pressure shot gun powder, with perfect combustion and high power.
A set of Ideal reloading tools, No. 6, adjustable for .303 Savage, was used in casting the 154 grain bullet, known as Ideal No. 311243, which has proven satisfactory and accurate. At first I used Hudson's alloy, the formula of which is: Antimony, 7 parts; tin, 7 parts; lead, 86 parts. The proper fluxing of that alloy is difficult, and I finally settled on the Ideal bullet metal, which contains 3 parts copper, 7 parts antimony, 10 parts tin and 80 parts lead.
When the mould has been raised to the proper temperature by casting in it 20 or 30 bullets to be returned to the melting pot, close the mould tightly so it faces up true, release one handle, holding the mould by the other with the left hand and pour with the right. The release of one handle allows sufficient space between the two sections of the mould to permit escape of air without releasing any of the metal. A bullet thus made is always smooth and bright.
I found that 10 grains of Mullerite was enough to drive the 154 grain bullet 20 inches into pine or to kill a woodchuck at ISO yards. The same charge has been used successfully at Creedmoor range, up to 300 yards.
Factory loaded shells are $3.25 a hundred, but may be reloaded with the charge I have described at a cost of 70 cents a hundred. The economy of reloading is not its only advantage; one can vary loads for special purposes and experiment at will with different powders and bullets.
The Savage people say that the accurate range of their 1899 model .303 is 1,000 yards. To satisfy myself I tested my gun at Creedmoor.
The day chosen was November 6, 1906, and the conditions were as near perfection as one could wish. There was a slight, steady nine o'clock wind, necessitating one half point of left wind on the rear sight; mercury 47 degrees Fahr., clear, and no mirage ; time, 3 P. M.
W. R. A. Savage ammunition was used. At 300 yards 5 ½ lines elevation on the Marble rear sight attached to rifle tang, resulted in bullseyes. Four hundred yards called for nine lines; 500 yards, 10 ½ lines; 600 yards, 12 lines; 700 yards, 18 lines; 800 yards, 22 lines. Good groups were made at all distances up to 800 yards. The insufficient latitude of the wind gauge was responsible for non-appearance of the bullseye marker at the 800 yard range, but shots reached the target in a consistent group. I have not the least doubt that with a Buffington sight, which would afford ample elevation, accurate shooting could be done at 1,000 yards.
After this test I picked up a Krag which my companion had been using, and made three bulls out of five shots at 1,000 yards. This score at 4.30 P. M. in November will give an idea of the necessarily perfect weather conditions then prevailing.
L. P. Coleman. Veteran Co. A, 23d Regt., N. Y. N. G.