Handlo ad 2 :- our Powder. Components lax == As Dingell Sees It

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1 le Handlo ad 2 :- our Powder Components lax == As Dingell Sees It

The Handloader Magazine Dave Wolfc Editor and Publisher Bob Hinrnan Associate Editor Edward M. Yard Technical Editor Homer Powley Ballistics Adviser John T.

2 The Handloader Magazine Dave Wolfc Editor and Publisher Bob Hinrnan Associate Editor Edward M. Yard Technical Editor Homer Powley Ballistics Adviser John T. Amber Editorial Adviser EDITOR, GUN DIGEST & HANDLOADER'S DIGEST Larry Koller Gun Test Editor SUPERVISING EDITOR OF GUNS AND HUNTING Wallace Labisky Shotshell Editor SHOTGUN COLUMNIST FOR SHOOTING TIMES Parker 0. Ackley Wildcats d Gunsmithing Les Bowman Rifle Loads Harvey A. Donaldson Historical Adviser Ken Waters "Pet Loads" RELOADING COLUMNIST SHOOTING TIMES Bob Steindler "Bench Tips" FIELD EDITOR FOR GUNS MAGAZINE Ted Smith Bullet Swaging Maj. George Nonte Case Forming TECHNICAL EDITOR OF SHOOTING TIMES A. Robert Matt On Gun Laws John Buhmiller African Cartridges Mason Williams Field Editor Bob Wallack Field Editor Barbara Killough Advertising Director B. "Sam" Schuetts Circulation Manager Otto Schofieid Production Manager Walter Schwarz Photo & Art Director July-August Vol. 1 - No Park Avenue, Peoria, Features: Excise Tax: As I See It... Rep. John Dingell Reloading the.357 Magnum... Dean Grennell On the Way Back?..._ Biesen-Wmlman Reloading the Federal Plastic... Wallace Labisky Pet Loads for the ,... Ken Waters Know Your Powder Ed Yard Winchester Centennial... Larry Koller Hydraulic Case Forming... Maj. George Nonte Shooting Above Sea Level... Homer Powley Company Profiles - Hornady... Larry Steadman Basic Handloading... Maj. George Nonte On Bullet Swaging Ted Smith Departments: Bench Tips... 5 Book Reviews LAW MATTers... 7 Answers Please Reader By-Lines... 8 ProducTests Editorial... 4 Harvey Donaldson /SHOOTING SPORTS The HANDLOADER, Copyriqht 1966, is published bi-monthly by the Dave Wolfe Publishing Company, 700 Park Avenue, Peoria, Illinois Telephone (309) Second Class Permit pending at Peoria, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. Single copy price of current issue - 75c (back issues priced at $1.00 from publisher). Subscription price: six issues $4.00, 12 issues $7.00, 18 issues $9.50. (Outside U. 5. possessions and Canada as.00, $9.00 and $12.50.) Advertising rates furnished on request. Publisher of The HANDLOADER is not responsible for mishaps of any nature which might occur from use of published loading data, or from recommenda?ions by any member of The Staff. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the editor. Manuscripts from free-lance writers must be accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope, and the publisher can not accept responsibility for lost or mutilated manuscripts. Change of address: Please give one month's notice. Send both old and new address, plus mailing label if possible, to Circulation Dept., The HANDLOADER Magazine, 700 Park Avenue, Peoria, Illinois Your July-August Cover A complete bench-rest set-up, in this case for tests of AI Biesen's custom rifle. See the article 'l On the Way Back?" in this issue. Cases are Winchester, with 100-grain Speer soft point bullets. Spotting scope is the Bushnell Spacemaster with 20-power eyepiece. The scope is by Leupold, the M8 7.5X with Duplex reticle. Rifle rest and sandbags by Beecher. Ektachrome transparency by Walter Schwan. with Linhof 4 x 5 view camera. 6 Handloader - JuIy-Auqu6t. '66

A 4 OVER 500 CALIBERS C-H CHROME PLATE0 RIFLE- PISTOL DIE SETS... No. 205 --FSET 0 SEMI-STEEL CAST IRON PRESS NO. YUI SH ELLMASTEFi THE BEST SHOT SHELL RE- LOADING PRESS ON THE MbRKFl C=H DIE CO.

3 A 4 OVER 500 CALIBERS C-H CHROME PLATE0 RIFLE- PISTOL DIE SETS... No FSET 0 SEMI-STEEL CAST IRON PRESS NO. YUI SH ELLMASTEFi THE BEST SHOT SHELL RE- LOADING PRESS ON THE MbRKFl C=H DIE CO W. 166th Street, Gardena, California Dear Congressman Dingell: During the recent NSGA and NRA conventions, I became involved in considerable discussion around your excise tax proposals directed at reloading components. Since that time I have also discussed the matter extensively with Dave Wolfe, editor of The HANDLOADER Magazine. When I first heard of your prqosed legislation, my immediate thoughts were in favor of it. Essentially, I favor any reasonable and effective method of generating conservation and range funds, providing such methods do not place excessive burdens on either manufacturer or consumer. However, upon closer examination of your proposals I find them objectionable - not for themselves alone, but for the position they would, if enacted, assume in classic pattern of progressive, ever-increasing taxation. Your reasoning, if I interpret available information correctly, is essentially this: A self-imposed (?) 11 per cent excise tax exists on sporting firearms and ammunition, and the funds generated go into conservation activities. Therefore, components which are assembled by consumers into loaded ammunition should also be subject to the same excise tax. Further, that even the hand tools used to assemble those components should also be taxed. The funds generated by these taxes would be employed in conservation activities. Up to this point I would pose no great objection. However, if such legislation is enacted, would it not be the opening of a Pandora s Box? Would it not (with the precedent established) be a logical progression for automotive repair parts to be taxed at the same rate as the assembled vehicle? For the tools utilized in the constructing the same auto to be taxed likewise? Further, virtually all components, repair parts and tools utilized in the construction of ANY item subject to excise tax would eventually fall victim tq the same type of taxation. If a precedent of this sort is permitted to be established, then normal patterns of progressive taxation will certainly develop - as inexorably as fate approaches - and other industries will suddenly find themselves hit with the same sort of taxation. In fact, I find it hard to visualize any industry to which your line of reasoning could not be applied. The potential overall effect of such reasoning is staggering to contemplate. It is for the foregoing reasons I must state that I am strongly opposed to your proposals. Major George C. Nonte, Jr. Technical Editor SHOOTZNG TZMES Magazine

4 HE IS LIMITED to 150 T yards as a deer rifle." caliber-" How many times have we all L A

5 around for over 70 years now - It was claimed that this bullet ing needs had also changed. beer time enough to settle almost any penetrated 1/4 inch of boiler plate are no tougher than they were, question - and still the debate at 100 yards. despite frequent quips that with waxes hot and heavy over what B~ 1938, the st&dard 170-grain tongue-in-cheek suggest this possiit can or can t do. bullet s velocity had risen to 2,125 bility. But there ARE more hunters When first introduced in May, fps. but even that was not the end. in the and the is long 1895, the was loaded with Winchester s 1965 ballistics tables past in most areas when a hunter a 160-grain bullet at a muzzle velo- give the 170-grain s muzzle speed who shoots a deer ccm watch it city of only 1,790 fps. People in as fps. and that of the 150- run Off and nonchalantly have a those days thought of it as a high grain at 2,410 fps. It is thus a rather few smokes while he waits for the velocity round, and began using it strange situation which finds an wounded to lie down and in preference to the old, larger improved cartridge drawing more stiffen. Somebody would be caliber black powder cartridges. criticism as time goes on. sure to have that deer gutted and Gradually, over the years since. loaded on a car before he ever If fiere is my single answer to modernizing changes have been caught up to it if he followed any this phenomenon# it is the such procedure today! Hence, our made improving its ballistics- By 1914* *e Winchester of comparisons. Whereas in catalog was 1895 typicd hunter of the 196Os seeks listing it there were few cartridges of high- a rifle md c&dge that will drop as having 170-grah soft er velocity than the.30-30, the expint bullet with muzzle a deer in its a considerably velocity of ceptions being largely military tougher 2,088 fps. Then in an adver- rounds with full - metal jacketed tisement by the Western Cartridge bullets, (ad even these not too Adding to the confusion and CO. announced a special much faster), by 1914 several new- influencing many hunters are the Wh velocity cartridge -.. with er cartridges had far surpassed it, rifles for this cartridge. More than 15O-grain open-point Lubaloy bul- andhe 50 years that followed a few deer hunters, whether they let speeded UP to fps. have seen ever increasing num- be Westerners on horseback or bers widening the ballistic.gap still Easterners afoot in the blow- further, each one tending to make downs. have bought s not SO the old J k bad by corn- much because of what the cartparison. ridge would or wouldn t do, but because the handy. light little During fiat Same period, hunt- quick-phting carbines seemed to best suit their purpose. It just happened that most of these carbines were chambered for the With ammunition for the.30-twice - I f By Ken Waters

6 available at every cross-roads store, it was inevitable that its popularity would increase. That well-known elder authority on hunting in. the Maine woods, Kenneth Fuller Lee, explained it in part by saying that experienced timber hunters usually did their game shooting from close range, at which distance this cartridge delivered the goods. He thought of the as not a bad choice for the average Eastern deer hunter. Henry Stebbins, that grand writer and exponent of the rifled tube, has expressed it as a cartridge suited to the cool hunter with ability to properly place his shots. Here again we see that emphasis is on bullet placement, whether as a result of superior shooting skill or closing the range by still-hunting or stalking. This is not to imply that the is inaccurate. The late F. C. Ness, a practical rifleman and ballistician of some years back, asserted that he had found most s capable of grouping their shots inside four inches at 100 yards, or about half the allowable spread for connecting with the game s vital area. He accordingly referred to it as a medium game load for ranges not in excess of 150 yards. Townsend Whelen was probably the most definitive of all in his analysis of the s capabilities. He agreed with the criteria of an eight inch grouping ability (vital area), and reported that after testing dozens of rifles in this caliber, he had established 180 yards as the maximum range at which a capable rifleman could be reasonably certain of keeping his shots within that area with a This was with solidframe rifles having peep sights. Using the common open sight with which these rifles come equipped, the range at which this same eight-inch circle could be reliably hit is reduced to some 140 or 150 yards, he felt. And with the less accurate takedown rifles formerly produced, the effective range is cut still further to about 90 yards. As for the retained killing energy of the 170-grain bullet, Whelen concluded that on deer it was neither reliable nor humane beyond about 250 yards. With his usual astute judgment he thus pictured the in an entirely different light, where its effective range was limited more by its average accuracy than by its killing power where deer are concerned. If this be accepted, then would not today s more accurate ammunition - both factory and handloads - coupled with rifles of improved accuracy, serve to extend the old standard effective range of 150 yards by at least another 25 yards? 24 Substantiating the colonel s position, our files contain a reference dating back to 1934, at which time a government hunter reported that a six-inch railroad tie was penetrated cleanly by three out of four bullets at 175 yards! This sounds very much as if the bullet has enough energy for deer at that range and needs only accurate placement together with proper expansion. Having thus established, or at least arrived at a reasonable consensus as to this cartridge s capability, suppose we next have a look at how it was formerly and is presently being handloaded by those authorities familiar with its use. Back in 1910, the old Ideal Handbook was recommending a load for the consisting of a 165-grain blunt round-nose cast bullet of Ideal alloy and gas-check, charged with 22 to 23 grains of Laflin & Rand s Lightning powder. This long obsolete powder was flexible, accurate and faster burning than Hi Vel, and 22 grains gave velocities of just over 2,000 fps in a 24- inch barrel. Hi Vel No. 2 was a reliable old powder much used in s after its introduction in Thirty grains of this double-base Hercules powder gave the 170-grain bullet 2,175 fps at muzzle with 40,000 psi breech pressures and, if light or medium loads were desired, could be loaded as light as 17.5 grains for a velocity of only 1,290 fps, or 26 grains which gave 1,870 fps, burning well even at the lower pressures developed by these lighter loads, and delivering good accuracy. In the late 1920 s still another Hercules powder made its appearance, this one known as Hi Vel No. 3, and like No. 2 was both flexible and accurate. Its grain size was smaller than that of Hi Vel No. 2 however, and it quickly became known to reloaders that Hi Vel No. 3 would deliver higher velocities within pressure limitations than any other powder of that time. A load of 27.6 grains gave the 170-grain bullet a muzzle velocity of 2,230 fps with 40,000 psi. Unfortunately, Hi Vel No. 3 was discontinued in Then in the mid-i930 s, DuPont introduced its now well-known IMR No While produced primarily with the in mind, it was cooler burning than many of the earlier powders and, containing no tin, reduced barrel fouling. Many reloaders naturally tried it and found that from 28 to 33 grains was a good working range with 170-grain bullets, producing between 1,900 and 2,250 fps. Modern handloaders should note, however, that those loads were based upon the use of the old, milder primers then popular. With today s hotter primers, the maximum load of No recommended by DuPont is 31 grains, developing 2,240 fps M. V. at average pressures of 38,300 psi. This is with 170- grain bullets. At this point I d like to be able to relate for readers benefit the handloads used by some of our better known hunters, (as I did in our last issue with the.270). With the though, it s a different story, for in spite of the reputation it has as a favorite deer load, it is seldom chosen by trophy hunters and just about never by serious target shooters. By and large, rifles in this caliber are carried by average citizens engaged in still-hunting or woods-stalking deer and black bear, who either use factory ammunition or, if they reload probably do so with the primary intention of saving money or possibly gaining a bit more power out of their rifles. These are perfectly legitimate motives, but the point is that such hunters and reloaders are seldom the rifle hobbyist type who sits down and writes the details of it afterward. Thus, while hunting journals over the years have carried stories of hunts made with the and even testimonials to its game downing capabilities, they seldom include details as to the precise load that was used. I recall, for instance, reading an interesting account by an American Army officer who was attached to the British General Staff in East Africa during World War 11. It seems that the only rifle in camp for which soft point hunting ammunition was available in any quantity was a Winchester Model 94 Carbine At first he used this little rifle simply because it was either that or an 06 or.303 with full-patch military cartridges. He told of shooting baboons, kongoni, hyena, a big Grevy s zebra and even hartebeeste at ranges up to a hundred yards. Grant s and Thompson s gazelles were taken out to 200 yards, usually with a single shot sufficing, but where necessary a quick follow-up shot turned the trick. Undoubtedly, this man was a fine game shot and he did mention something to the effect that it was a good thing he hadn t bumped into a rhino, elephant or lion on those excursions. In other words, he wasn t claiming that the is an all-around rifle for African hunting, but he did say that were he to return to Africa, he d probably include a carbine in his battery. An experienced hunter of North American big game has written that a good shot and stalker who can trail wounded game can manage to succeed in bagging just about all of this continent s game species with a.30-30, but that such hunting should not be tried by the average once-a-year hunter, add- Handloader - July-August, 66

ing that he considered it a poor selection for either elk or moose and definitely not a grizzly rifle. That s the kind of rifle and cartridge the.30-30 is.

7 ing that he considered it a poor selection for either elk or moose and definitely not a grizzly rifle. That s the kind of rifle and cartridge the is. Basically a caliber for deer-size game, it has more than a few times been pressed into service as an elk, moose and caribou killer. Seldom will you find it recommended for such large animals and indeed, it should not be carried when this type of game is sought. This is especially true when the quarry is one that can chew or claw back! My point is simply that these are working guns in the hands of woodsmen, ranchers, guides and native Indians or Eskimos for whom it usually manages to do what needs doing, even if it takes several shots. Generally, these men use loads containing 170-grain flat or round-nose bullets, but beyond that you ll find little additional information. The 150-grain bullet has met with little favor except possibly among deer hunters because, on tougher game or when used in brushy country, the additional 150 fps velocity gained has not proven to be worth the sacrifice of 20 grains in bullet weight. The violent expansion characteristic of bullets in the 3,000 fps class is simply not to be had with either bullet weight in the.30-30, and for penetration, the 170-grain is unquestionably superior to anything lighter. The one exception to this, as I said, might be in the case of deer hunters in fairly open country where the 150-grain bullet at around 2,400 fps should, on the average, expand a bit more and drop the animal closer to where he s hit. I don t need to remind anyone that Warren Page is a most knowledgeable fellow when it comes to refilling rifle shells, and he once spoke of 31.5 grains of No as maximum with 170-grain jacketed soft point bullets in the for muzzle speeds (and pressures) a little higher than factory loads. DuPont s No and Hodgdon s No are probably the two most commonly used powders at the present time for reloading this cartridge. Both are good choices, equaling factory cartridge power and giving entirely acceptable average accuracy. An experienced Vermont deer hunter friend uses handloads of 33 grains of Hodgdon s No coupled with 150-grain flat-nose soft points, claiming it the most potent hunting load he has ever used in a This chap knows his way around the woods, seldom failing to get his buck, and his opinions on deer cartridges are well worth listening to. Another hunter, this one a patient individual who likes to watch orchards and logged-over clearings free of brush, also prefers the lighter 150-grain bullet, Handloader - July-Auguat. $6 and in his old long-barrel 1894 rifle has found that Hodgdon s Ball-C(2) in 32-grain charges seldom lets a deer get away when he does his part and places the Speer flat-nose slug in the right spot. That long tube gives the ball powder more time to burn completely, and Hodgdon s Manual No. 19 indicates this load as developing 2,344 fps, even from a 20-inch barrel carbine. When you realize that he s getting close to a hundred feet a second more velocity from his 26-inch barrel, his frequent success is even easier to understand. This is a maximum load and should not be increased. For most hunting purposes to which a is suited, however, the 170- grain bullet is probably the best choice. Certainly it is the choice of a large majority of shooters. Loading tables have for years stressed the suitability of No and Hi Vel No. 2 as optimum powders, and now with Hi Vel No. 2 discontinued, it is probable that No is the most frequently used propellant. A consensus of recommended loads would appear to designate 30 grains as the favorite charge of No with the 170-grain bullet, delivering an average M.V. of 2,120 fps from a 20-inch carbine barrel, approximately 2,180 fps from a 24-inch, and 2,200 fps from a 26-inch rifle. A popular varmint load comprises the 1 IO-grain round-nose soft point bullet and 35 grains of No. 3031, with muzzle speeds of up to 2,650 fps from a 24-inch barrel. The can also be loaded with cast lead alloy bullets to good advantage and have been much used for small game, off-hand target practice, and just plain plinking. Bullet styles used are generally blunt round-nose with at least three grease grooves and a gas check, although the latter is not absolutely necessary if the shooter is satisfied with low velocities. One of the best cast bullet designs for the is Lyman s No weighing about 160 grains when alloyed to a sufficiently hard temper. Experience has indicated that in most.3o s, accuracy will be better if cast bullets are sized.311 rather than.308. Our finest single powder for these reduced loads is DuPont s IMR No. 4198, and here I m going to make a recommendation of my own. If you ll try between 20 and 22 grains of No with your cast bullets, I predict you will obtain favorable results. The is an easy cartridge to reload provided you are willing to accept the restrictions that go with a lever action rifle having a tubular magazine. These require that cases be full-length resized after each firing (in most rifles), and that all bullets have blunt noses to avoid the danger of their setting-off the primer of the cartridge ahead in the magazine. It will also be necessary to select bullets having a crimping groove, and order a bullet seating die which will crimp case mouths, thereby securing the bullet against being forced deeper into the case by pressure from the magazine spring. Despite the fact that it s not a favorite with today s high velocity riflemen, there s much to be said for the Economical in terms of powder charges and light in recoil, it s still a long way from dead; in fact, it is today more accurate and more powerful than ever before. Who can say that it isn t still a favorite with an awful lot of hunters? 0 25

Load Development. Brian Pearce

Load Development. Brian Pearce Load Development Brian Pearce In I 1964 the U.S. military adopted a new service cartridge known as the 5.56mm Ball Cartridge M193, while Remington announced the.223 Remington cartridge, a commercial version,