Advise on getting a worn MLE Mk 1 to shoot.

I will try the short bullets as I have tried Hornady R-N 174, and Sierra 180 grn plus Win 180 gr silvertip, R-N and PSP.

Nothing to lose trying!

Thanks for the tip.

Well chaps, I'd like to figure out what is going on;

Tried 3 rounds with a Hornady 150 gr. flat base (PSP) at 110 yards. All hit nose on but 3-shotgroup was 5 inches. Mild load as per Ridolpho's suggestion, and used 35 grs of IMR 3031.

Next, tried 3 Sierra PSP flat base 180 gr, with 36 grs of 3031. two went into a shade over half an inch, and the third didn't even touch the paper! The two holes were nice and round showing stability, but obviously the third one wasn't!!
I don't know which shots went where, as I didn't want to walk up there after each shot and me old binoculars aren't good for seeing tiny holes at that range

I know 3-shot groups aren't best, but if it won't group three, it likely won't group 5 or ten...

Sort of Wants to shoot.
So me old mates, What's going on?? ............... Dead horse and all that!??!

should add that I fired 2 fouling shots first...........

Third shot went through one of the other two holes? Firing one three shot group is inconclusive.

I worked with Binos and eyeballs for years and then bought a spotting scope. No more guessing and questions. The target paper needs to be a meter across when sorting out this type of thing. Then a flyer is evident.

This^^^!
When ever I shoot for group with a new rifle I like to take a 4'x 4' target with a 6" aiming dot and my spotting scope. Groups due to problems with the sights are soon evident, vertical stringing and other problems with the stock bedding will become apparent. If you have a washed out bore or a eroded throat that would be as evident as Howdy Doodies freckles.

Richard, chronograph your rifle, you will probably find that it is punching out under 2000 FPS.
You need to increase the velocity to above 2150fps to stabilise, the Mk.VI round was designed to punch at around 2250 and the Mk.VII at 2450 fps.
The loss of velocity thru blowby caused by throat erosion can be partially overcome by judicious handloading, working up a specific load tailored to the particular rifle.
Have fun.

As Muff said. Also dump 3031 and use Varget. Higher velocity with lower pressure. H414/H4350 also very good.

Thanks all.

In no particular order;

Daan K,
Now wouldn't that be very nice!...but I can't see me doing that, (2 through same hole) and yes, one 3-shot group not conclusive. Must try that load again with a Big target backer!!
I had tried Norma 202, and it worked about the same as the 3031 in results, (some close and some shots missing)
Was trying a reduced load as it can and does sometimes work, and we can't dismiss it until tried. :-)

Bigger paper? yes, have done that, but time was short last night so grabbed a target and went. All very inconclusive... Also yep. Firing 3 shots isn't best, but I had loaded larger lots earlier, and after the first three didn't work, I figured what do I do with these now??.........just fire them off, so went back to 3 shots for starters.
For those new to this thread, the throat is washed out with cordite and the barrel pitted. ...but it seems to Want to shoot!

Muffet,
Will do re. chrony.
Reason for trying V. mild load was to see if bullet escaped distortion on firing with a light load. Will push them faster and see what happens.

Bindi,
My reason for trying 3031, was that I thought a faster powder may bump up the bullet more in the throat. Will try a faster load of slower powder . Thanks for that!

All fun and thanks for all your thoughts chaps!
Still trying to make hay and it rains about every other day, and yesterday had to shovel pretty near a super B train of oats. Maybe that didn't help my shooting either! (About 46 Tonnes)
So humid I was fair nackered afterwards....

Richard: Yeah, we're having quite an unusual summer. My farm is in Sask and I've just heard the lentils are getting moldy in the field. Usually it's like a desert! Regarding your MLE, you definitely need to shoot more rounds when you resume testing. Frankly, I think if you can get 3-4 inch 5 shot groups with the original sights on one of these you may want to call it a day as you'd be close to acceptable original standards for precision. Another thing you might consider is putting it in a "lead sled" or similar rest to allow you to try to get a good repeat sight picture with what are pretty primitive sights- and to minimize effects of operator input. I always try this before concluding a particular rifle is inherently inaccurate. With regard to 150 grn loads, I have used RL 15 in mine and they chrono at around 2350 fps.

Ridolpho

Thanks for the suggestions and information Ridolpho. I'll give it all a whirl.


Will keep you posted!