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Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46127] Sun, 26 July 2020 09:13 Go to next message
Muffin is currently offline  Muffin
Messages: 98
Registered: March 2020
Location: FL
Novice Contributor
The Rifle:

https://i.imgur.com/PhwDoSY.jpg

Bullberry Bbl, 18", 10" Twist

The Bullet:

https://i.imgur.com/HuYKAkC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/89Out67.jpg

Accurate Molds Inc. casts at .3105, bore rider, 231 grns. 1/30 Alloy, Sized to .309, Alox Lube
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46128 is a reply to message #46127] Sun, 26 July 2020 09:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muffin is currently offline  Muffin
Messages: 98
Registered: March 2020
Location: FL
Novice Contributor
]RANGE Day 1:

COAL 3.10", CCI-400 Primers

1st loads, Preliminary, Starting.

At the 20 yd bench...

1st up - IMR-4198

10.9 and 11.0 grains:

https://i.imgur.com/HTx9uMZ.jpg

2nd - CFE BLK

10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 grns.

https://i.imgur.com/KzCBcSK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eiVowd0.jpg

3rd - RL-7

11.1 and 11.2 grns.

https://i.imgur.com/Cr8jwrC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qE7MPV3.jpg
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46129 is a reply to message #46128] Sun, 26 July 2020 09:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muffin is currently offline  Muffin
Messages: 98
Registered: March 2020
Location: FL
Novice Contributor
Second trip to the range.........

Sort of put the CFE-BLK on hold, at least for now...

Pressing on with the IMR-4198 and RL-7

Shot three loads of the 4198, at 11.1gns things are beginning to tighten up:

https://i.imgur.com/ztgGw90.jpg

Next RL-7, which I hope will be THE powder, mostly because I have a bunch and I just like the RL Powders:

Same as the 4198, getting better...
https://i.imgur.com/AVDZWtg.jpg

Biggest/Best surprise was the Blue Dot:

Loaded a string just to see where velocities would be, since there isn't any direct load data for this cartridge/powder combo that I could find:

Anyway, right out of the gate they were a bit too zippy, noticeable that the sound barrier was being tweaked.......... DD said keep shootin' the neighbors were bustin caps earlier........
Shot 3, loads as noted............ it seems to like Blue Dot..

https://i.imgur.com/vMAjyi4.jpg
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46130 is a reply to message #46129] Sun, 26 July 2020 09:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muffin is currently offline  Muffin
Messages: 98
Registered: March 2020
Location: FL
Novice Contributor
Day 3 at the backyard range:

Charge weights in the circle...

First up IMR-4198

https://i.imgur.com/z1fsCl5.jpg

Second - RL-7

https://i.imgur.com/kDKrLZ4.jpg

11.9grns of RL-7 looks promising, except for that one that came out slow......

Loaded some more Blue Dot - backed up to 7.5grns = SUB-Sonic, 7.7 = NOT, now I know!!! DD laughs at me every time I shoot the Blue Dot!

I suspect he's actually experiencing some size envy:

Blackout on the left, DDs Sneezer on the right.... Smile

https://i.imgur.com/yy9iaS0.jpg
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46131 is a reply to message #46130] Sun, 26 July 2020 09:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muffin is currently offline  Muffin
Messages: 98
Registered: March 2020
Location: FL
Novice Contributor
Day 4 at the range:

All groups 5 shots except for the Blue Dot

Exploring whether adding a crimp serves any purpose.....

First up, again - IMR-4198

NO crimp and a slight taper crimp-

https://i.imgur.com/mzKxzh1.jpg

Next was RL-7

Curious, that Crimp/NO Crimp seems to have the opposite effect with this powder-

https://i.imgur.com/QuEzAdd.jpg

Finally Blue Dot - NO crimp

Top target is 10 shots-

https://i.imgur.com/IkBPqjT.jpg

DD didn't laff at me today when I shot the Blue Dot.....

All three powders will certainly do the job.

Will abandon the notion of a taper crimp at this point, might explore a sizing technique or two in the future........
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46132 is a reply to message #46131] Sun, 26 July 2020 10:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnysmarine is currently offline  sunnysmarine
Messages: 980
Registered: July 2011
Location: CA
Senior Member
Thank you for the experience! I LOVE BlueDot I use in in so many cartridges with great results and yes it can be a bit zippy, At the indoor range it has a notable bright yellow flash and smells a lot better than most other powders kind of a sweeter smell
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46133 is a reply to message #46132] Sun, 26 July 2020 14:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gemihur is currently offline  gemihur
Messages: 309
Registered: March 2012
Location: Ridgelines of Virginia
Forum Regular
I'm working up a load with Blue Dot presently for my 444 contender
https://i.postimg.cc/jjmH3QmS/444-with-bipod.jpg


Think twice...shoot once.
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46134 is a reply to message #46133] Sun, 26 July 2020 15:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnysmarine is currently offline  sunnysmarine
Messages: 980
Registered: July 2011
Location: CA
Senior Member
that's a uniqueie forend Jimmy
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46136 is a reply to message #46134] Mon, 27 July 2020 07:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gemihur is currently offline  gemihur
Messages: 309
Registered: March 2012
Location: Ridgelines of Virginia
Forum Regular
Yep, it's a glue up from some antique linotype sticks, shaped by me and the grip is from a piece of hickory morphed from a design of Dave Dolin's.
I hope to build a 'Bower Bench' shooting rest like the one shown in this article: https://www.bellmtcs.com/blog/don-bower-long-range-handgun-c ourse/


Think twice...shoot once.

[Updated on: Mon, 27 July 2020 07:34]

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Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46137 is a reply to message #46136] Mon, 27 July 2020 10:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnysmarine is currently offline  sunnysmarine
Messages: 980
Registered: July 2011
Location: CA
Senior Member
Thanks now I have another have to do project, That would of been an interesting crowd to hang around with
Re: Contender - 300 Blackout Project [message #46193 is a reply to message #46137] Mon, 31 August 2020 11:00 Go to previous message
gemihur is currently offline  gemihur
Messages: 309
Registered: March 2012
Location: Ridgelines of Virginia
Forum Regular
Here's a schnoodler for ya'
14" SSK 6x45 Bbl
Fully free-floated barrel from rear lug forward
Quite accurate!
https://i.postimg.cc/W4KTr0cc/6x223-with-legs.jpg


Think twice...shoot once.
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