Accuracy load

[barkerwc4362]

Well after putting a little over 700 rounds through my ARMI Spencer I have finally found a truly accurate load.  All load testing was done at 50 yards because of the fairly crude sites on the carbine.  I have used 4 different bullet molds in my quest.  I used the Accurate 51-320S (with some changes), the RCBS 50-350FN, the Lyman 515139, and the Lee 518-360.  The RCBS is the only single cavity mold in the group, all the others are two cavity molds.  Since my carbine has a .516 groove diameter, I started there and ended up using .518 sized bullets to get targets with out flyers.  Anything smaller than .518 resulted in flyers.  I tried the traditional 1-30 alloy without success and ended up using an alloy of hardball mixed 3-1 with Lyman #2.   I believe the fast twist of the barrel has something to do with the need for a bigger and harder bullet.  I tried both smokeless and black powders, eventually focused on a black powder load.  The powders I tried were IMR 4227, GOEX Olde Enysford 1/12F and 3F, plus Schuetzen 2F.   I used Fed 210M primers and Starline brass.  RCBS 56-50 reloading dies and #31 shell holder were used.  The load is 38.0 grains GOEX Olde Enysford 3F, .030 vegetable wad, Accurate 51-320S bullet, Fed 210M primer and Starline case.  Load OAL is 1.545.  I compress the powder using the RCBS neck expanding die spaced out using the 38/357 die spacer.  Here's a picture of the bullets used and a loaded case.

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Here is a picture of the load fired at 50 yards off the bench.

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I had accurate modify the 51-320S bullet as follows:  I increased the upper driving band to .110 in length and had them make the as cast diameter of .519 instead of .515.
Bill