02-06-2022, 01:52 AM
...some afterthoughts after the ammo tests from above.
Recoil: Initial test firing w/o a muzzle device had sufficient "jump" that scope reticle would come off POA significantly, recoil was very light. After putting the brake on, jump reduced significantly, reticle movement on POA negligible, much more stable with bipod load.
LeverEvolution: It is a "dirty" powder, probably the most of all powders I've used. My "lesson learned" was to ensure I run my SLR AGB's adjustment screw thru it's full travel in & out before leaving the range (my normal procedure with my other calibers/powders). It was difficult to run it all the way in when I cleaned the rifle a couple days after range session. Outward was no issue. A bit of CLR on the adjustment screws detent furrows allowed it to run its full range of adjustment. I followed that up with liberal rubbing alcohol to neutralize the CLR then liberal CLP to lube and coat the screw and internal threads. The CLR, alcohol & lube were all applied with a "needle oiler".
Brass: AS stated before, virgin Starline 6.5G converted. As time permits, intend to measure base, shoulder bump and primer pockets of the max charges to gather data, I'll post findings later. Visually, the cases look the same, aside from the soot the Lever deposited. The cases I'm most curious about are the ones where I had the AGB closed completely. They should closely mimic what a bolt action would have imparted. Those cases had some resistance when manually ejected via the charging handle. I'm theorizing those cases are the closest to an exact conformance to my chamber.
Bullets: Overall, did not discern much difference in recoil between the 70 thru 108 grain bullets as far as felt recoil or effect on "thru the glass 'jump'".
Primers: As most of my supply is CCI 400's, post firing shape is very slightly flattened at the max loads I tested, as expected, but none of the obvious "over pressure signs". The same happens with my other calibers that use SRP's . I have a few 41's and 450's I may test with, but past experience hasn't shown a significant difference to me at least .
During bullet seating, I had 3 separate incidents of the case shoulder collapsing. Can't say if it was because of insufficient chamfering of the brass (or lack of), extremely dry cases or what. Not wanting to waste my limited components, I just rubbed a very slight swab of Imperial wax between my thumb and finger and spun the bullet base between them before seating, no more collapsed cases. Any concern I may have had about it affecting bullet grip were unfounded. The rounds sat for over a week before firing & I surmised that the Imperial would have been scraped off by the seating operation or degenerated by the long wait before firing. Before firing I tested some random rounds by pressing them in against the bench, no movement or effect observed.
Recoil: Initial test firing w/o a muzzle device had sufficient "jump" that scope reticle would come off POA significantly, recoil was very light. After putting the brake on, jump reduced significantly, reticle movement on POA negligible, much more stable with bipod load.
LeverEvolution: It is a "dirty" powder, probably the most of all powders I've used. My "lesson learned" was to ensure I run my SLR AGB's adjustment screw thru it's full travel in & out before leaving the range (my normal procedure with my other calibers/powders). It was difficult to run it all the way in when I cleaned the rifle a couple days after range session. Outward was no issue. A bit of CLR on the adjustment screws detent furrows allowed it to run its full range of adjustment. I followed that up with liberal rubbing alcohol to neutralize the CLR then liberal CLP to lube and coat the screw and internal threads. The CLR, alcohol & lube were all applied with a "needle oiler".
Brass: AS stated before, virgin Starline 6.5G converted. As time permits, intend to measure base, shoulder bump and primer pockets of the max charges to gather data, I'll post findings later. Visually, the cases look the same, aside from the soot the Lever deposited. The cases I'm most curious about are the ones where I had the AGB closed completely. They should closely mimic what a bolt action would have imparted. Those cases had some resistance when manually ejected via the charging handle. I'm theorizing those cases are the closest to an exact conformance to my chamber.
Bullets: Overall, did not discern much difference in recoil between the 70 thru 108 grain bullets as far as felt recoil or effect on "thru the glass 'jump'".
Primers: As most of my supply is CCI 400's, post firing shape is very slightly flattened at the max loads I tested, as expected, but none of the obvious "over pressure signs". The same happens with my other calibers that use SRP's . I have a few 41's and 450's I may test with, but past experience hasn't shown a significant difference to me at least .
During bullet seating, I had 3 separate incidents of the case shoulder collapsing. Can't say if it was because of insufficient chamfering of the brass (or lack of), extremely dry cases or what. Not wanting to waste my limited components, I just rubbed a very slight swab of Imperial wax between my thumb and finger and spun the bullet base between them before seating, no more collapsed cases. Any concern I may have had about it affecting bullet grip were unfounded. The rounds sat for over a week before firing & I surmised that the Imperial would have been scraped off by the seating operation or degenerated by the long wait before firing. Before firing I tested some random rounds by pressing them in against the bench, no movement or effect observed.