Factory Second Bullets 303 Caliber and 7.7mm Japanese

[usabaker]

3. Best results can be expected from bullets with flat base and not more than ~.002" under measured groove diameter.
4. Boattail bullets offer less bearing surface than FB of same weight, making them a challenge in military chambers with generous throats. (They can yaw before engraving).

I agree with you. In addition, I would expect that a Flat-Base open end (exposing the lead) would obturate faster and better than closed-base bullets.

[bob q]

First I would check the groove again on your T-99 , Your .3115 is really tight . Great if it is . The best overall Bullet I have found for T-99 shooting is the Hornady .312 150 sp , shoots the best with the least work in the most rifles . I have never had much luck with modern Speer bullets in military rifles, the real old Speer bullets from when it was just Speer [ 1960's ? ] work very well . Groove dia is only half the story . Bore [ land ] is a factor also , as is the combination of both to give you your total bore area . I have a T-99 with the barrel shortened to rechamber to 300 Savage . It has a .312 groove barrel and shoots some .308 bullets better than any .311 + bullets . I have seen some real good groups put down in our matches by Russian Mosins using .308 bullets . The old military bullets had hollow / exposed lead , flat or cupped bases to expand and seal the larger size bores .

[BJung]

Hi Bob,

From your experience and what you've seen, what is the best long-range T99 cartridge combination for 656 yards or more? I've tried R15 and R19 and IMR 4350. Because of availability, I am trying AA4350. This should be close to R17 which is close to Swiss GP11 powder.

Thanks

[bob q]

I have never tested any of mine over 300 yards . The 150 sp fb is not going to be a real good bullet for real long range , poor BC . If you are wanting to shoot 650 + , you are going to need a heavy boattail [ long bearing surface ] . What is your accuracy goal ? What are you trying to hit ? You are going to need to get the velocity up , so with a heavy bullet you are going to need a powder in the I-4350 + burning rate . The bullet is going to be much more a factor than the powder . Get a selection of said bullet types and do some [ a lot ] of test shooting . Group testing at 700 + is a lot of work , you will need a good set of wind flags , a real good spotting scope or a lot of walking . What is the land size on your rifle ? If it is real tight , one of the new type long and heavy .308 bullets MAY work . I may give that a try myself as it sounds like an interesting project . the hard part for me will be finding one of my many T-99 rifles that is known for accuracy and has a real tight land .

[BJung]

Bob, I hope you do even though my sudden change of powders sets me back to testing at 100 yards again (for the 3rd time). What have you used so far for 300 yards? Unlike the 150SP, the longer Hornady HPBT bullets cannot touch my lands. Yet, I have this theory you might have an answer to. I think that with a certain load, accuracy nodes arise at different seating depths. And so, even though an ogive cannot touch the lands and I find an accuracy node by finding a certain load, I can seat my bullet as far forward without touching the lands, finding the best accuracy load, and then begin seating the bullet deeper. What do you think?

[Sapper740]

Since the thread drift has taken us into new bullet territory I'd like to mention I've had excellent results loading .303 British with LeHigh copper solids. Even though they're boattail bullets bearing surface isn't a problem due to copper solids being longer per given weight than lead bullets with a copper jacket. LeHigh used to make a 180 gr. .311" bullet (sigh) but sadly now only make a 150 grainer. I haven't tried them in my Arisaka yet but have no reason to expect less than good results.
.311 diameter, 150 grain Match Solid Bullets (50 count)

[bob q]

You sure do not ask easy to answer questions . Military rifle bore , chamber , throat dia and leade sizes can be all over the place , so there is no set answer . T-99's are the worst , it seems each maker just did what they wanted . Unlike most military rifles from that time period , T-99 parts from different makers do not come close to interchanging . Gew-98 rifles still have the long leade used in the Gew-88 for the old long roundnose bullet , about 3x that is needed for the 154 S bullet . Most of my Gew-98 rifles shoot the best with the H-150 sp , which does not get close the the rifling . Some T-99's are so large with all of the above with some powders , in cold weather they will have ignition problems and just melt the powder . All those problems together will not let the chamber seal for good combustion . I really do not worry too much about touching the rifling on much except my bench rest rifles with match chambers and fitted cases . So for such long range the bullet is the most important , next a powder that will get you good velocity without high pressure , a good case to chamber fit . I have never found a magic powder for a certain cartridge , there is always 2,3 4 that do just fine . Yes I hear on the net how a certain powder is the way to go , like R-17 for the Swiss . A friend runs an official Swiss match and can out shoot the R-17 guys all day long with I-4064 .

---------- Post added at 02:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Since the thread drift has taken us into new bullet territory I'd like to mention I've had excellent results loading .303 British with LeHigh copper solids. Even though they're boattail bullets bearing surface isn't a problem due to copper solids being longer per given weight than lead bullets with a copper jacket. LeHigh used to make a 180 gr. .311" bullet (sigh) but sadly now only make a 150 grainer. I haven't tried them in my Arisaka yet but have no reason to expect less than good results.
.311 diameter, 150 grain Match Solid Bullets (50 count)

So are you going to handle that part of the new T-99 load testing ??????????? I will try the 200 plus .308 bullets .

[Sapper740]

[QUOTE So are you going to handle that part of the new T-99 load testing ??????????? I will try the 200 plus .308 bullets .[/QUOTE]

No plans currently. I'm working through the thousands of permutations of handloads for my Lee Enfields, P14, Ross, and Argentine Mauser.

[bob q]

I found some .308 195 and 210 VLD bullets in my supplies . I will figure up some loads and get some loaded up for testing . I doubt the T-99 has enough twist to stabilize any more weight than the 210 . I will try and get the velocities up to about 2700 and 2600 . They are going to have to go fast to stabilize .