Cast bullets through my K31

[andiarisaka]

I have this odd nose pour bullet mold that I had cut with very worn cherry purchased from the estate of PA gunsmith Donald Eagan. Mr Eagan used to cater to the benchrest cast bullet shooting crowd. Bernie Rowles of Old West Bullet Molds cut the mold for me. On the next attempt to cut some molds, by another maker, the cherry gave out.

The bullet weighs 164.2gr checked and lubed in the alloy I use. It fits the throat of my K31 very good, and man, does it ever shoot! My K31 must've been one of those tagged as having a 7.47mm bore as it slugs .294" bore, .3055" groove. Even back in the throat the ogive of this bullet is into the rifling at .2975". Consequently, this one is very touchy to seat. The bullet is tapered, so if one puts the check below the neck/shoulder junction, it'll telescope back into the case. Seating it out leaves a bullet stuck in the bore should you have to eject one. The lube groove is below the case mouth, can't use it as a crimp groove, but I have a Lee Factory Crimp die coming that should take care of both problems.

The pictured groups were shot at 100 yds. The 5 shot group was the first group after I'd had the rifle out of the stock, by the second group of 6 it was settling back down to what I had seen from the load and rifle before. The load was 25.7gr of SPP210, a Swiss made powder that Wideners handles. Alleged to burn about 4198 speed, I think it's a tad faster. Velocity was previously clocked at 2008fps avg.

Shooting is so much more enjoyable when you hit where you're aiming! I had a good time on this day! Got a 190gr Eagan design to check out soon. I forgot to mention, this was shot using a 24X scope on a clamp on side mount.

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[Albino Bob]

Looks like your doing very well.

[Albino Bob]

My avatar don't show up now though.

[andiarisaka]

The bullet seems to like that speed Bob, but just a wee bit slower might be better! As is, shooting the load gets boring. I've wanted a K31 since the 1970s, I got lucky and received a very tight bored SIG made one. Stock isn't pretty and has been repaired at the butt, but that doesn't effect the shooting any.