AJC1
Member
Rebuilt minus seating
Left over powder
Nasty mandrel from sealant
Last edited:
308 ppu 147 grain tear down and rebuild
- Thread starter AJC1
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Rebuilt minus seating
Left over powder
Nasty mandrel from sealant
OP
OP
AJC1
Member
So I showed the test I had run with this factory ammunition and I would say I was more than a little disappointed. My inner loader was curious why they were so bad. Just bad seating depth, powder charge, bullet weight..... so here I have torn the remaining half of a box that I had left. The intention is to standardize them to see if they can be made reasonably better. The sealant on the case necks was coating my mandrel so I cleaned it every few rounds. I chose a final load of 45 grains as it was a load provided and i could easily reduce the rest to match, even spill some and be good. And i did spill some because of course. Determining seating depth and i will provide an update when fired. I wont have extra to sight in so I'll only evaluate group size.
this was my first test I'm trying to improve on.
this was my first test I'm trying to improve on.
BreechFace
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2020
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- 3,520
You powder grain weights written down are what you weighed when pulling down the PPU?
Those grain differences in powder are crazy, 1.5 grain extreme spread over 10 rounds.
Those grain differences in powder are crazy, 1.5 grain extreme spread over 10 rounds.
Last edited:
OP
OP
AJC1
Member
Yeah that 46.6 was waaaaaay high
Charlie98
Member
I wouldn't call it a 'fool's errand' but I kind of think you are wasting your time. Remember, even 'quality' NATO spec ammos are only supposed to be 2 MOA (if memory serves...) accurate... that gives the manufacturers a LOT of leeway when running off 10K rounds, etc. I've never found the Prvi ammo to be exceptionally accurate, but it was as accurate as the M80 surplus I've compared it to, and the handloads I've built using Prvi component bullets (LC brass, CCI #34 primer, IMR4895.) Further, I don't think Prvi components are that consistent... except the brass, which I've found quite good.
Prvi kicked out some 'Target' ammos... 168grn BTHP match ammos, the reviews were awful... terrible accuracy in some cases, and SD's all over the place. It's mass produced ammos, kicked out of a mass production facility, using mass produced components.
If you have the stash... try this: pull those Prvi bullets, even out the powder charge, and reload them with something like the Hornady 150grn FMJ bullet... then shoot them side by side. I think you would really see a difference between the two loads, all else being equal.
Prvi kicked out some 'Target' ammos... 168grn BTHP match ammos, the reviews were awful... terrible accuracy in some cases, and SD's all over the place. It's mass produced ammos, kicked out of a mass production facility, using mass produced components.
If you have the stash... try this: pull those Prvi bullets, even out the powder charge, and reload them with something like the Hornady 150grn FMJ bullet... then shoot them side by side. I think you would really see a difference between the two loads, all else being equal.
OP
OP
AJC1
Member
Bullets is one reason why I'm even trying this... I cant seem to find any. I've been focusing on 150-168 and bps has 110s. Dont want to have a million different components.
chas442
Member
I can tell you about a fool's errand. A few years back 2 friends and I purchased half a pallet of indian 308 90's date on cases. I went shooting a Century L1A1.
Went though a good number of rounds. One time I heard a click and nothing else. I cleared the rifle and out came a "spent" case. Thought the rifle didn't cycle properly. Chambered another round and the action wouldn't go into battery. Cleared the rifle again, opened the action and looked down the barrel. No daylight. After recovering, I packed up and went home. I put the balance of the Indian ammo away and forgot about it.
Time lapsed and I decided to do an experiment. I broke down 20 cartridges and weighed the powder. In those twenty the powder charge ranged from 32 grs to 47 grs.
More time passed and I said self, you have time, pull them all down and rebuild with equalized powder charges. So I did that. During the teardown process I found at least 20 cases that had less than 5 grs of powder. On top of that I found 2 different powders extruded and ball.
Did nothing fancy and was able to get 4 inch groups with a scope.
I had one of my buddies that I split the purchase with give me about another 3K that I equalized the powder charge.
I now have some blasting ammo for my rifle.
I never let a squib get past me again.
Went though a good number of rounds. One time I heard a click and nothing else. I cleared the rifle and out came a "spent" case. Thought the rifle didn't cycle properly. Chambered another round and the action wouldn't go into battery. Cleared the rifle again, opened the action and looked down the barrel. No daylight. After recovering, I packed up and went home. I put the balance of the Indian ammo away and forgot about it.
Time lapsed and I decided to do an experiment. I broke down 20 cartridges and weighed the powder. In those twenty the powder charge ranged from 32 grs to 47 grs.
More time passed and I said self, you have time, pull them all down and rebuild with equalized powder charges. So I did that. During the teardown process I found at least 20 cases that had less than 5 grs of powder. On top of that I found 2 different powders extruded and ball.
Did nothing fancy and was able to get 4 inch groups with a scope.
I had one of my buddies that I split the purchase with give me about another 3K that I equalized the powder charge.
I now have some blasting ammo for my rifle.
I never let a squib get past me again.
Skeptic13
Member
I would normally just fire the lousy ammo for plinking and then reload the cases with my powder and bullet of choice. That always seems to work out better. But hey if you got the time and patience go for it. Let us know how it all turns out.
Charlie98
Member
The legend of 90's Indian ammo is well deserved. It was made after the British pulled out of India and the Indians took over manufacture.
I actually bought 2 50rd bandos of Indian ammo when I first bought my M1a, not knowing the hoary legend. Thankfully, mine was late '80's Indian and it all went bang, although the accuracy was nothing to write home about. While trying to resize those cases, however, I quickly found out what Berdan priming was all about, and Hornady customer service after I broke my decap pin off, and bent the rod.
Charlie98
Member
Well, I think that's the OP's problem... lack of bullets.
OP
OP
AJC1
Member
well the equalization and bullet reseat was a total failure that I dont intend to repeat with the 168s. Close inspections of the necks show the sealant which I dont believe is helping my cause at all. The 10 primed brass from that effort will go to Charlie to do as he wishes. Done with ppu garbage.
OP
OP
AJC1
Member
The result was 3.5 moa if your looking.
The tear down to measure components sounds like something I would do too. Cursed with a curious mind.
But am I reading that right......one motivation was lack of 308 bullets to buy?
If so, might I suggest Midway? They have them in abundance.......and have had for some time now.
https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=+308+bullets
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