Hi All,
So I started shooting and from first shoot out I decided to first explore the larger bullet that drops 196grs with 8BHN Lead+tin+antymony.
It drops exactly .370 so 1 thousands larger than the grooves diameter beeing .369 with .354 bore. The nose is bore-rider with .454.
I pan lube them with SPG - no sizing. I put them in the case with hand.
this is how deep the bullet goes into the case.. the last groove is exposed.
When I put the bullet ahead of the case it stops 1/8th inch ahead of the case. I tried already breech seating with the Tool made by gunsmith, yet I got equally as good results by putting the bullet in the case so far @ 50 yards.
Cases are able to hold 30 grains of CH3 and CH3 - with almost no dfference in volume. I use drop tube from buffalo arms - the 24inch one. On top of powder i place felt wad that i produce using fred cornells press mounted wad cutter from BACO. Although I have ordered one for 38-55 - it drops wads that are .405 in diameter and I can't squeeze them in the case when I do cardboard wads - I can do that with felt wads and they are super tight. Once wad is on powder i apply minimal compression (almost no compression) with press mounted compression plug. Then I put every case on the press again on formatting die to reduce the inner case diameter from .379 to c.a. .371 do so that the bullet holds on SPG film. It remains an issue that after fire formatting i get 0.009 free space inside.
I have fired 10 shot strings from every BP granulation and noted the results on chrono.
I feel that it is going to the right direction, however would appreciate some advices on how can I improve. I have no idea about the velocities - so maybe someone more knowledgeble can comment. I know that 18 spread is better than 43, but i presume i know the answer to how to keep it on a better level - not all of the cases were equally cleaned resulting in differences in ignition..
I was cleainig every 5 shots.. 2 wet pathes, 2 dry patches.
I believe that despite beeing 153 years, the rifle and the barrel still hold potential for decent accuracy.
The distance was 100 metres - 110 yards.