Tried knurling my own bullets

[MuleyFever]

So after getting a new CVA Acura and talking to Sabotloader I decided to try and knurl some bullets for my CO deer hunt this fall. Here are the 325 gr Barnes Expander on the left and 325 gr Barnes XPB on the left. The Expander I got by buying 54cal sabot to get the .500 bullet.


Went to the range and set up at 100 yards and first tried 100gr of BH209 with the Expander and got the group on the left. Dropped to 90gr of powder and got the better group in the center. Then I tried the XPB with 90gr and got the last group on the left. I quit there as I didn't get a good enough knurl on the XPB and they fit a bit loose. I will knurl them better and try again.


I think I will try the 275gr Barnes XPB as Sabotloader said the diameter is a bit bigger than the 325 grain.

 

[sabotloader]

Were you using some of wad under the bullet? What did you use to get your knurl so even?

 

[MuleyFever]

I did use the MMP sub base. I just used 2 files and rolled it back and forth.

So I just cleaned the gun and played with the Thor samples a bit and noticed that just as the bullet is to where is would seat the powder it gets loose. I think I may have a bad barrel.

Also when getting home there was some unburnt powder in the barrel from that last shot with the XPB that felt loose. I don't think they stayed seated.

 

[sabotloader]

I did use the MMP sub base. I just used 2 files and rolled it back and forth.

So I just cleaned the gun and played with the Thor samples a bit and noticed that just as the bullet is to where is would seat the powder it gets loose. I think I may have a bad barrel.

Also when getting home there was some unburnt powder in the barrel from that last shot with the XPB that felt loose. I don't think they stayed seated.

One thing or a couple of things to think about...

1. when BH burns it does appear to leave a residue that looks like unburnt powder. This is really evident when you are shooting over snow - but truly the powder is burnt...

2. if the bullet was so loos that it may have fallen off the powder I doubt very much that you would have sustained enough ignition of the BH to get the bullet down range. Since the power is progressive burning if there is not enough pressure the powder simple quits burning.

3. when you pushed the bullets down with the ram rod did you feel that your were applying a constant force. Or did they just slide down easily?

I would really hope you Accura barrel were consistent top to bottom but there is always a possibility that it isn't.

When I roll mine between the two files - I do end up rolling them more than revolution to get the knurling to lift enough to be effective. That is also why I need to change from a Mil files to a General Purpose 'Flat' file they have a more aggressive surface.

All this yet looking at your targets you would have gotten the job done on a big game animal.

mike

 

[MuleyFever]

So I played with it more and there is definitely a reduction of friction just above the threads for the breach plug. I looked and the bullet will actually move a bit from tipping the gun once the bullet is an inch off the threads. I took a bullet and loaded in the breach to see if a fresh bullet would move freely and it did not so I pushed it toward the muzzle and it gave the same feeling of losing friction after being pushed down the barrel. So is it possible the rifling is just wearing down the knurl too fast?

 

[ole hunter]

I feel my CVA is going to be a pain as well ,,Reason ,, the Thor test to fit kit I got ,Did kinda what your barrel is doing ,,Tight on the start to about 6 inches,,, then loosens up to about the last 4 inches just before the breech plug ,,then gets tight again ,, Not to impressed with my CVA .
I bought a Knurling tool to fit my lathe and gonna try this after I get a job done for a business ,,, Side note my brother in law bought a new CVA Accura V2 NITRIDE NW and had to send it back to CVA we couldn't get the .500 Thor bullet down the barrel ,,The mike read it at .497 ,,,

 

[MuleyFever]

I am sure it is the barrel now. I tried the Hornady FBPs I had and they were supper tight at the muzzle but about 6" from the breach they are loose enough to slide basically on their own. I am calling CVA today.

 

[ole hunter]

They are good about returns , After a call from Brother in law to CVA he was on his way to ups to get gun shipped back and repaired ,,

 

[MuleyFever]

I called and they sent me a shipping label to send the gun in. Good customer service. Now if I can just get it back in less than 3 weeks.

 

[MuleyFever]

Well I am getting a new gun tomorrow. Good customer service all the way around. Wish it was faster but oh well.

I had a dream last night I was at the range shooting my new muzzy and a tornado came. I managed to get to safety but all my supplies were blown away and I could not sight in my gun. I am thinking about this stuff too much.