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Hello to all and to all,
I wonder if here shooters with Long Branch nr 1 mk 4 * caliber 303 British?
I have trouble with mine; the bullet arrives practically square to the target.
Visual, the barrell is beautiful.
I wonder if there is not a munititons problem, I would like to know what ammunition you use: they are manufactured or recharged.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best Regards,
Pascal
I think the members here will be able to help identify and possibly diagonse the issue but there will be a number of questions to answer first.
To understand your post the bullets are hitting the target and making a non-circle hole? If so, this condition is generally known as keyholing and looks like the target below :
Soured from google:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...23020812-1.jpg
What ammunition are you currently using? (brand, bullet weight, etc)
What distance are you shooting?
More to follow based on the information you provide.
Hello, and thank you for your help.
Or, these shots exactly match your drawing.
The shots were fired at a distance 109 yards (100 meters).
I only used the manufactured cartridges: the first time they were Sellier & Bellot FMJ 180 gr, the second time, the PRVI Partizan FMJ BT 174 gr.. Is the problem could come from bullets profile because I read that because of their curvature they did not offer a large area making stripes, and as the Long Branch has only two stripes?
Hello Pascal,
Starting with the ammunition, my experience with the PRVI has been good, and none of those types should be keyholing from a normal rifle.
The distance you are shooting is good, the bullets should be making round holes at that distance.
You are correct that your rifle should be a 2 groove bore (stripes).
I think there may be a problem with the rifle bore.
You will get more information from other members as they have time to respond, but I would start to examine the rifle barrel.
Do you have many measuring tools available?
If not we can start with a very basic test.
At the end of the bore, (muzzle) how far can you insert a .303 bullet before it stops?
Can you take a photo of a bullet like the photo below:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mparison-1.jpg
We trying to check if the muzzle is worn.
Visually look at the crown and inspect for damage, like bumps or scratches. take a photo is you can.
This area:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...w13thumb-1.jpg
This will get us started for now.
My next step is to slug the bore and take some measurements, but we will get to that.
Hello Sentryduty,
Thank you again for your help.
I will look at it just now and I'll post pictures as you ask me.
Unfortunately I do not have time to do it now because I have to go to work (time shift: it's now 6.43 am here in the Belgian Ardennes).
Again thank you and I do that this afternoon.
Have a good day
Best Regards,
Pascal
Here is a pic from the web so you know what to look for.....its not one of my rifles okay I would be mortified if it was!
Hello Sentryduty,
I can not make decent photos, or to publish on the site.
I put a cartridge in the muzzle, and say it is between your two photos, that is, the bullet protrudes about 2 mm.
In terms of the muzzle, and viewing raynures, I can not get a clear enough picture.
Pascal
Hello Pascal,
We can work without photos it will just take a little more time to describe things.
Using the photo I originally posted is this correct?
Is it like #1 with only 2mm of the bullet showing? Is the case nearly able to touch the barrel?
#2 Is labelled to show the terms of the parts.
Your barrel may be getting worn as if your using factory ammo there is no real reason for it to keyhole unless there is A) Worn barrel (Shot out) B) Crown damage C) Bulged barrel - also the 2 groove barrels shot just as good as any other rifled barrel on the Lee's both my No.4's are 2 goovers you may need to take it to a gunsmith to get it checked out to see if the trouble lies there. Without pictures it is very hard for the knowledgeable ones here to assist you.
Hello Darren,
It is true that it would be easier with photos, but thank you anyway to try to help me!
Yes it Was With only 2mm of the bullet showing.
Pascal
If you're shooting boat tail projectiles, therein lies the problem. Rifles that have been used with cordite will develop a distinct wear pattern in the throat or leade of the barrel. Once this occurs, the boat tail projectiles will not stabilize properly and cause key holing as you are experiencing. Switch to flat base projectiles and your problem should be solved. It's really unfortunate that both the prevalent Privi Partisan and Sellior & Bellot ammo is all loaded to Mk.8 specification which was basically MG ammo designed for the Vickers MMG. Remington/UMC still make a Mk.7z equivalent with the 174 grain flat base projectile if you can find it. If not, try to find some real Mk.7 or 7z military ammo as made by many countries up until the 1980's.
Or Hornady 150gn Spire Points flat base at .312"
I like the 150 and 180 grain Sierra Pro hunter projectiles. The 180 will shoot very close to where the service sights are calibrated.
Hello Brian,
also thank you for your help.
I had already noticed by searching the net Remington UMC 174 gr, and I thought they should go there.
You confirm what I thought, I'll try to find here in Belgium.
Thank you.
Regards,
Pascal