Source for mint M96 barrels ?

[smlemon]

Some of the nice folks at Castboolits sent me some sized lubed and gaschecked 160 gr 6.5s. I ran another session of fire lapping as cast bullets work better on rough bores as they expand to fit the nooks and crannies. Bore looked about 80% when done.
The acid test was loading jacketed bullet and see how they did.
Took Sierra's "best load" (4895) for 140 SMKBTHP and put it behind 5 each of SMKs and 140 AMaxes.
Then picked a 4350 load and did the same. I figured the groups would open up as the jacket fouling built up in the bore.
First went to the two 4895 loads which did about 1.5". Then the SMKs with 4350, did 1",then the AMaxes which had 5 touching, 3 in one hole.
Do I clean it or not ? Was it the load and or the bullets ?
Still have not used the 1200 grit fire lapping. This is what makes shooting interesting !

[vintage hunter]

Like we said, shoot- clean shoot- clean then experiment with different load combinations until you find one it likes.
Glad that fire lapping process worked out for you but I never thought much of it. From the research I've done and the reviews I've read it has ruined more barrels than it's improved.

[smlemon]

I don't know where your info comes from but all I have read says if used correctly it works very well. I have done a 1910 03 that was a black hole and after rethroating, shot .311 jacketed bullets 5 into 2", next was a Nickle steel 03 sporter rebarreled with a 4 groove 1941 remington barrel and redone to 300 Win Mag. Was sold as a NG barrel. After a good cleaning, all that was wrong was very light frosting 3" back from the muzzle. 10 rounds with the 1200 grit brought it from 5 in 2" to 5 in 1". My Swede speaks for itself. All the cleaning in the world would never have evened out the bore diameter. Although the grooves are still a bit dark, a dry patch pushes end to end with even resistance. Many of the finest barrels made since rifling was invented have been lapped. The only disadvantage was that each end had to be cut back as the lapping process tends to bell each end slightly. Fire lapping avoids that problem. Its only downside is that when using lead bullets, it tends to extend the leade a bit. Hardly a problem in a 96, as the leade is already a mile long.
I decided to give it an old fashioned cleaning with Copper dissolver, followed by dry patches. then Hoppes on a bronze brush, more dry patches, Wipe Out and more dry patches.
Last patches had just a trace of gray. Now I'll retry that 4350/AMax load and some 130 TSXs as well. It may just go speed goat hunting

[smlemon]

Tried the new Alliant MR4000 ( a bit slower than 4831). All 120-140 bullets shot well but the Barnes 130 TSX was the clear winner with 5 in 3/4". It is very long, has lots of bearing surface and the od is 264 not 263 like all the others. The slow Alliant and the long barrel worked well together with the 130s. The hottest load in the new Barnes book is just over 2600 with MagPro. (they are set up for the Swedes not modern rifles). I started @ 44 gr of MR 4000 going up 1/2 gr at a time. At 48.5 I clocked 2787 with no pressure signs.
The cases were old Normas (so old they say "Norma Re"). Velocity was somewhat due to the looser bore (wear and fire lapping) but the sweet spot (watching each shot in the group) looked about 2600 so I'll drop back to that. Waiting for Hornady to do their run of 6.5 Carcano 160s .267 as I believe like the .264 160 it has a taper in front of the canalure. Might just be perfect for mine.

[smlemon]

Tried the sweet spot ALMR4000 load, 46 gr with 130 TSX and H1000 with 47 gr and the 160 Nornady RNSP.

First pic is the Hornadys @ about 2400 fps. That is 5 shots @100 with an old Redfield 4X with a 3" dot. The first 2 (upper left) are in 1 hole.



Second is the TSXs (I adjusted windage and shot 1 off paper)



Will probably stick with the Hornadys as I question the Barnes expansion by the time they go 200 yards with such a slow start.

I won't clean it and shoot some more Hornady 160s to see if groups open up.

[smlemon]

The aformentioned load with the 160 Hornady dropped this 15" buck in his tracks.
Third Goat I have taken with 6.5x55s.