Annealing 7.62x54R brass

[ebb]

My chevy truck had the worst rattle in the front end, after much looking and listening I figured out it stopped rattling when I applied the brakes. I replaced the rubber bushings in between the calipers and the bolts they hang on and all was well. Some times these things are hard to track down.

 

[Thumb]

Just got back from the range today testing out some new loads that was suggested and found that the Sierra 174gr .311" sitting on top of 52gr & 53gr of 4350 @ 2.950" gave me the best groups at 100yards using just the iron sights that came with the MN. I am real happy with the results. 52gr gave me the best group of 5 at 1.135" not counting the flyer(most likely me though) and the 53gr gave me 1.440" group. I think if I put a scope on this beast I may be able to cut those group sizes in half because I can barely see the bullseye at 100 yards, more just guessing at this point.

Hosted on Fotki
52gr

Hosted on Fotki
53gr

I think the 52gr is a better group. I also think I'll load up some 51gr and see how they do. The 54gr loads were horrible with 5.035" group.

 

[RCC1]

Just got back from the range today testing out some new loads that was suggested and found that the Sierra 174gr .311" sitting on top of 52gr & 53gr of 4350 @ 2.950" gave me the best groups at 100yards using just the iron sights that came with the MN. I am real happy with the results. 52gr gave me the best group of 5 at 1.135" not counting the flyer(most likely me though) and the 53gr gave me 1.440" group. I think if I put a scope on this beast I may be able to cut those group sizes in half because I can barely see the bullseye at 100 yards, more just guessing at this point.

Hosted on Fotki
52gr

Hosted on Fotki
53gr

I think the 52gr is a better group. I also think I'll load up some 51gr and see how they do. The 54gr loads were horrible with 5.035" group.

Looks like you have it figured out. 52 grains of 4350 is what I found to work the best.

 

[hoz53]

As soon as I have some extra $$$ I'll get some 4350. Right now all my money is going into my Astro van trying to get the front end from shaking when applying the brakes. Before anyone says anything, I've already replaced the rotors twice and the brake pads and bearings once with no luck at all. I'm stumped to what is making it shaked like it's a warped rotor.

how about the ball joints?<i posted this before i read about the brake drum. rear brake drum shoild not wear out in two years. mine usually go at least 200k before i check them and then the only thing that has been wrong is a broken spring. almost no wear on the rear drums.

 

[Thumb]

I think the pistons in that brake got stuck and wore out the shoe. I'll keep a closer eye on it this time and if it starts to happen again, I'll replace the whole cylinder.

 

[Thumb]

Tested out the same loads today but with a scope attached this time and I was surprised that I shot just as good using the open(iron) sights that I did with the scope at 100 yards, doesn't seem right but I seen it with my own two eyes. I also noticed something weird that I have never seen, looking at the target on my 51gr loads the hole edges are sticking outward(towards me), not out the back.