Milsurp After Hours

Well........it took me a couple of months, but I finally had the time to load up a couple of 10.4x42R cases for my Vetterli.
No WANO PP this time, but Pyrodex P.
Here are the load data:

Reformed .348 Winchester cases.
Winchester LR primers.
38 gn(by volume) of Pyrodex P in stead of 45 gn WANO PP.
A cardboard wad and a bit of cous-cous as a filler.
A 320 gn bullet on top of it all.

I used Pyrodex P in my Dutch Beaumont before and I hope the results will be equally good with the Vetterli.
Got some range time coming up on Sunday.
I'll keep you all posted.


.........a cardboard wad and a bit of cous-cous......


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

As promised an update on the use of Pyrodex P in my Swiss Vetterli.
My answer can be short.
Results were fantastic.
I hit the target with the first shot and after resetting the rear sight all hits were " in the black" as we say over here.

Because most BP matches are held on a 50 meter range over here I put up the target at 50 meters.
Maybe I’ll add another grain or two (by volume) to the load, because the bullets “dropped dead” in front of the 100 meter target.
Just in case I want to shoot at 100 meters.

Cleaning went real fast compared to the original BP.
Another reason for me to use this powder.
I was a bit skeptic using it because the most important reason for me NOT to use this powder is the fact that BP weapons are only “free” over here when you use BP in them.
Here’s the reason that makes it legal for me to use this powder:

The main contents are: Charcoal, sulfur, nitrate.
Other ingredients are added to make is safer to transport, store and use.
Pyrodex is not a smokeless powder it contains no nitrocellulose and no nitroglycerin.

There were quite a few people (mostly original BP users) that advised against the use of Pyrodex P in breech loading weapons.
I decided to listen to the advice that Hodgdon gave me and will continue to use it.
It may take a while, but I’ll keep you all posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Interesting Martin. I use VECTAN Chasse BP in my Remington 1858 and it seems to work well enough. It costs about 20€ for 500g.
Where do you buy your Pyrodex and what does it cost?

Duncan,

I can buy Pyrodex P at almost every gun shop, but a fellow gun club member offered me some at a reduced price.
A pound (454 gr) of Pyrodex P at a gun shop will cost me € 33,50 over here.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Took the Dutch Beaumont to the range today.
I have to say that I'm very pleased with the result.
First 2 shots came off a bit high, the rest is OK for me.
The load stayed exactly the same:
38 grains of Pyrodex P.
As a filler I used cous-cous and put a cardboard wad on top of that.
I used a 340 grains .457 bullet.
Instead of beeswax I lubed the bullet with LEE Alox.
Here's the result on our 50 meter range.



I think I'll stick to this load for the time being.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Pretty impresive grouping there , It will get better with some minor tweaks to the load

I don't think you need much adjustment to the load. I'd say that what you have now is pretty terrific like it is.

Thanks Blackisler and Robert.
I think I'll keep the load as it is right now.
The chance that it isn't the load but the shooter that needs adjustment is HUGE.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Dutch Mosin wrote:Thanks Blackisler and Robert.
I think I'll keep the load as it is right now.
The chance that it isn't the load but the shooter that needs adjustment is HUGE.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Been there and done that Martin

Been there and done that Martin

I know what you mean Duncan and I think I can start all over again when I have the Hawken.
I just love this hobby.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin