Cast Bullet Loads for Military Rifles

[dromia]

I've just put up Ed Harris's classic in the library.

Here: http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=810

Here's my view of Harris's load recipes with Vihtavuori powders.

From my experience you can subsitute Vihtavuori N110 for Alliant 2400, starting at 16 gns and working up my sweet spot is usually around 19 gns with up to a 220 gn boolit. Vihtavuori N310 or N320 substitute well for Alliant Bullseye with 4-5 gns under a light 90 - 130 gn boolit working well, there is somthing immensley satisfying in shooting rabbits and such like out to 70 yrds in a No 4T with subsonic loads. Vihtavuori N120 substitutes well for Alliant Reloader 7 with around 24 gns being my sweet spot with up to 220 gn boolits. All loads should be worked up from published data.

Over the years I have converted to Vihtavuori for reasons of cost and consistency of supply and almost use it exclusively now in cast and condom loads. In changing over I've found VV to be as good if not better than my previous selection of manufacturers. It has convinced my that similar burning rates can give similar results across manufacturers although loads are not transferable and safe shooting practices should be observed with all loads being worked up. However for example if someone now says to me that say, Reloader 15 is the bee knees in such and such a load combination then I'm sure I'll get as good as if not better with VV N140 or AA2700 or Hodgdon H380 or H414 or IMR 4320 etc.

[Sandgroper]

A very good read. I'm still digesting the load data and I think I'll be rereading it a few more times and making notes! :lol:

Another good article is this one regarding the use of Trailboss - http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles200 ... /index.asp

[dromia]

Matterns original article is a brief but interesting read.

[dodgyrog]

Accurate powder 5744 is also excellent for cast boolits - if you can get it. Westlander please note that regularity of supply can be a problem!!!