219 Donaldson Wasp Load Data Needed

[tred1956]

FINALLY got brass made and loaded 50 to fireform. Using 3031 and 55 grain V Max. Seems to be doing OK but wondering if anyone has a SECRET load LOL??????

What is your favorite powder and bullet? Will be shooting in a Contender. Any load info would be appreciated
Thanks
Doug

 

[1911nut]

I tried 52g Sierra, Berger and Barts, 53g Sierra and 55 Bergers with 25 - 25.8g 3031 in large primer Zipper brass. 5 shot groups in the .2-.3” @100yds.

After reading Landis’ book on 22 Varmint rifles where he suggested 4320 produced tighter groups while 3031 gave higher velocities I tried 4320 in large primer brass and small primer 30 American brass.

The best load in my gun is 30 American brass neck turned to .0145”, 52g Sierra hpbt, 28.5g IMR 4320, Remington 7 1/2 primer, bullet 0.008” off touch. That load has produced many 5 shot groups in the low 1’s.

The gun is 54 years old, has a 31” long 1 1/4” diameter barrel and weighs 23 lbs.



I’m getting the most consistent results using a full length bushing die bumping the shoulder 0.002” and 0.003” neck tension.

4320 powder is worth trying cause it meters so much better than 3031.


Landis’ book is an excellent read.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1446505324/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[tred1956]

Thank you sir, That is the kind of info I am looking for. I have a very good supply of 4320
Thanks
Doug

 

[Keith Kilby]

Thank you sir, That is the kind of info I am looking for. I have a very good supply of 4320
Thanks
Doug

There are nearly an infinite number of different Wasp chambers. I built one last year on an original Winchester 1885 High wall take down action. My barrel is faster twist than the norm and I'm running 64g Bergers. I'm also using H380 for powder. I custom ordered a reamer to match dies available from E. Arthur Brown. I am getting consistent sub half minute at this point. Be aware that unless you're using data from a similar chamber you can't base loads for your gun on that info. The Hornady manual actually has Wasp data that can be used as a general starting point.

 

[tred1956]

Thank you sir. I have the Hornady data. My chamber is the long version and my barrel has a 1-9 twist
Thanks
Doug

 

[1911nut]

The 219 Wasp has some cool history. In the 1930’s-1940’s shooters didn’t have easy access to chronographs, they shot steel plates at distance and compared the bullet impacts. Harvey Donaldson won a bet that his Wasp would penetrate more steel than a 220 Swift. I can’t imagine what his loads were. The Wasp was the short range (100-200 yd) benchrest champ from ~1940 to 1950 when Mike Walker developed the 222.

Amazingly, the new 224 Valkyrie is essentially a rimless 219 Donaldson Wasp complete with the “magic” 30* shoulder.

We have the woodchuck to thank for the evolution of varmint cartridges that became benchrest cartridges that became 1000 yd cartridges shot out of ARs.