Elric
Well-Known Member
The Matter of Speedy Ignition By F. L. Batchelder
American Rifleman, Volume 69, no 17 May 15, 1922, page 16
https://books.google.com/books?id=g...DoAQglMAI#v=onepage&q=Speedy Ignition&f=false
I have been an interested reader of “Loads and Reloads” and of “The Dope Bag," especially those articles applying to light loads for the Springfield. I note, in particular, that Major Whelen recommends considerably heavier loads than I have found necessary, in order to secure uniform and speedy ignition. I do not dispute any thing the Major has to say, as anything that differs from his results has to “show me” before I will take any stock in it.
As an engineer, I realize, however, that what might appear to be minor differences in conditions or material, will often make important differences in results. The information given below is derived from firing over two thousand rounds, using the same kind of bullet and the same make of primer, and the same rifle. Where scores are given, they are for a season’s shooting and include practice as well as match scores, which were fired weekly, or oftener, regardless of physical condition.
The material used was as follows: Model 1903 rifle, groove diameter 0.308, land diameter 0.3002; bullet Ideal 308241-S, sized to 0.311; primer (possibly the most important factor) Remington U. M. C. No. 9. Unless otherwise specified, shooting was done at fifty feet by artificial light. Generally, magazine fire was used.
The first load tried was 6 grains of DuPont No. 1, the charge being dipped and struck level with the edge of a card. The shooting was done with service sights, the course of fire being 5 shots each kneeling, sitting and prone, using target No. 1 here with. The record of total shooting with this load was 1372 ex 1425. Taking the positions used and the human element into consideration, there is not much to blame the load for.
I then changed to 5 grains of Unique (machine measured), but shortly cut to 4 grains as the first seemed too heavy. Some shooting was done with 3 ½ grains, with which I obtained the best group I have ever made, 11/32-inch over all lead marks. The target used with this load was the army “Y” target with a bull 2 /3-inch in diameter. The record shows a total score of 1134 ex 1150, all shot prone, in ten-shot string.
Shortly after this the rifle blossomed out with a No. 48 Lyman which was used with the loads described below.
Target No. 2 was the first that I fired, using Du Pont No. 75, and was shot out of doors, at 75 feet. The bottom hole was shot No. 1. Elevation was then raised one minute, placing the other four in the upper group. I started the indoor season, using 5 grains of this powder with unsatisfactory results, there being a barely perceptible hang fire, occasionally. An increase to 6 grains eliminated the trouble. For this reason I place the minimum load of 75 at 6 grains for the primer and bullet given above. For both of the above loads, using a target like No. 2 and fired in ten-shot strings (5 slow and 5 in 30 seconds), the records show 544 ex 550. We also shot an imitation of the N. R. A. qualification course, using the same positions, time and so on, the targets being reduced to proper size to correspond to the different ranges. Targets Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were used on the 500-yard stage.
I have used a good deal of No. 80, but have not had the opportunity for keeping as close a record of scores with it as I had with the above loads; but am satisfied that it is the best powder in the lot, and that six-grain loads of it, under the conditions given above, will shoot more consistently than I can hold. I have used both it and No. 75 in 15-grain loads up to 200 yards with very satisfactory results.
A word as to keeping qualities of service ammunition and I am done. One afternoon last October I was out with the gun and a lot of squibs, when I found three Frankford Arsenal cartridges, dated 10-10, in my pocket and determined to try them for accuracy. For a target I took two strips of pine 1 ½ inches wide, placed in cross shape (the best target for testing that I have used) at 75 yards. The group, shot prone, was 1 1/8 inch wide by ¾ inch high. Not bad for eleven years old.
American Rifleman, Volume 69, no 17 May 15, 1922, page 16
https://books.google.com/books?id=g...DoAQglMAI#v=onepage&q=Speedy Ignition&f=false
I have been an interested reader of “Loads and Reloads” and of “The Dope Bag," especially those articles applying to light loads for the Springfield. I note, in particular, that Major Whelen recommends considerably heavier loads than I have found necessary, in order to secure uniform and speedy ignition. I do not dispute any thing the Major has to say, as anything that differs from his results has to “show me” before I will take any stock in it.
As an engineer, I realize, however, that what might appear to be minor differences in conditions or material, will often make important differences in results. The information given below is derived from firing over two thousand rounds, using the same kind of bullet and the same make of primer, and the same rifle. Where scores are given, they are for a season’s shooting and include practice as well as match scores, which were fired weekly, or oftener, regardless of physical condition.
The material used was as follows: Model 1903 rifle, groove diameter 0.308, land diameter 0.3002; bullet Ideal 308241-S, sized to 0.311; primer (possibly the most important factor) Remington U. M. C. No. 9. Unless otherwise specified, shooting was done at fifty feet by artificial light. Generally, magazine fire was used.
The first load tried was 6 grains of DuPont No. 1, the charge being dipped and struck level with the edge of a card. The shooting was done with service sights, the course of fire being 5 shots each kneeling, sitting and prone, using target No. 1 here with. The record of total shooting with this load was 1372 ex 1425. Taking the positions used and the human element into consideration, there is not much to blame the load for.
I then changed to 5 grains of Unique (machine measured), but shortly cut to 4 grains as the first seemed too heavy. Some shooting was done with 3 ½ grains, with which I obtained the best group I have ever made, 11/32-inch over all lead marks. The target used with this load was the army “Y” target with a bull 2 /3-inch in diameter. The record shows a total score of 1134 ex 1150, all shot prone, in ten-shot string.
Shortly after this the rifle blossomed out with a No. 48 Lyman which was used with the loads described below.
Target No. 2 was the first that I fired, using Du Pont No. 75, and was shot out of doors, at 75 feet. The bottom hole was shot No. 1. Elevation was then raised one minute, placing the other four in the upper group. I started the indoor season, using 5 grains of this powder with unsatisfactory results, there being a barely perceptible hang fire, occasionally. An increase to 6 grains eliminated the trouble. For this reason I place the minimum load of 75 at 6 grains for the primer and bullet given above. For both of the above loads, using a target like No. 2 and fired in ten-shot strings (5 slow and 5 in 30 seconds), the records show 544 ex 550. We also shot an imitation of the N. R. A. qualification course, using the same positions, time and so on, the targets being reduced to proper size to correspond to the different ranges. Targets Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were used on the 500-yard stage.
I have used a good deal of No. 80, but have not had the opportunity for keeping as close a record of scores with it as I had with the above loads; but am satisfied that it is the best powder in the lot, and that six-grain loads of it, under the conditions given above, will shoot more consistently than I can hold. I have used both it and No. 75 in 15-grain loads up to 200 yards with very satisfactory results.
A word as to keeping qualities of service ammunition and I am done. One afternoon last October I was out with the gun and a lot of squibs, when I found three Frankford Arsenal cartridges, dated 10-10, in my pocket and determined to try them for accuracy. For a target I took two strips of pine 1 ½ inches wide, placed in cross shape (the best target for testing that I have used) at 75 yards. The group, shot prone, was 1 1/8 inch wide by ¾ inch high. Not bad for eleven years old.
