Hi all,
I have this past weekend mad it to the range to perform a OCW test to develope a good target/practice load for my 30-06. The loads were using RE-19, SGK 150 SPBT, Federal brass and primers. The test went really well and it appears that for this combination the best node (grouped at less than a dime ) was using 58.6 gr, second was 59.4 (a little over 1.25"). Now for the twist, I had 50 rounds including those for the OCW and put them all down the pipe. Barrel was cleaned twice during the session. Every one of the cases had soot ranging from the case mouth, body and down to the rim, every case was dirty. I have never seen this before, other than some around the case neck. All loads did not show any signs of excessive pressure, bolt worked smoothly etc.
Is this amount of soot normal?
Is this an indication of minimal case expansion resulting in no seal in the chamber?
Is the RE-19 burnrate to slow?
Gun is in excellent shape and I see no signs of nicks or erosion in the chamber (visual with flashlight)
Any comments/pointers would be greatly appreciated as I am new to reloading.
Unforunatly I am out of town for the week and forgot to download photos before I left. I'll post them later this week.
Thanks again!
I have this past weekend mad it to the range to perform a OCW test to develope a good target/practice load for my 30-06. The loads were using RE-19, SGK 150 SPBT, Federal brass and primers. The test went really well and it appears that for this combination the best node (grouped at less than a dime ) was using 58.6 gr, second was 59.4 (a little over 1.25"). Now for the twist, I had 50 rounds including those for the OCW and put them all down the pipe. Barrel was cleaned twice during the session. Every one of the cases had soot ranging from the case mouth, body and down to the rim, every case was dirty. I have never seen this before, other than some around the case neck. All loads did not show any signs of excessive pressure, bolt worked smoothly etc.
Is this amount of soot normal?
Is this an indication of minimal case expansion resulting in no seal in the chamber?
Is the RE-19 burnrate to slow?
Gun is in excellent shape and I see no signs of nicks or erosion in the chamber (visual with flashlight)
Any comments/pointers would be greatly appreciated as I am new to reloading.
Unforunatly I am out of town for the week and forgot to download photos before I left. I'll post them later this week.
Thanks again!