Restocking a Canadian marked 1918 No1 Mk III

[Sentryduty]

I do have plans for handloads, the main issue just now is obtaining the proper components, especially the SMK 174's, I have a number of local shop available and it appears they have been stripped of anything .312 diameter. So I will have to keep my eyes open. I have some very good brass on hand waiting to go, just need powder and projectiles, both of which are proving elusive.

The main test with the commercial stuff was more to ensure the gun wasn't going to pop and would shoot better than minute of barn door, I had another unknown LE to try that day, so I didn't even take paper targets, just a lead sled, and a length of string for the trigger, I only grabbed the clays in case things went well. While I did my due diligence before purchase, a guy never knows what gets done to a sporter. Some are great, some are very bad basketcases that need to be broken down for parts.

In this case I was pleasantly surprised, and both rifles got to move on to the next rounds, serious attention. I do have a couple more kicking around that are waiting on handloads as well.

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[CINDERS]

I do have plans for handloads,

AR 2209 is a good powder and has good temperature stability, I have tried AR 2208 (Varget) found it a bit sharp, if you have no SMK's try Hornady 150gn Spire points these are .312 Flat based and go well to 400m well they worked fine in both my No.4's one thing I did was get the guff on a few different powders and develop some loads with different projies as well it does take time to get there but it has heaps of rewards mainly;
Whilst others are scrambling with a one powder/projie load and finding their powder and projies supply has dried up you can swap out to a known combination in your rifle you have developed and keep on shooting.
Trust me I learnt the hard way as in my state of West Aust we suffer constantly from various components not being available hence it is good practice to have a fair few load combinations that work. Hope it all goes well