Finally found a decent load using the RCBS 22-55-FN bullet. They are cast from WW/Lino approx 7:1, with Horn GCs and LBT Blue. The winning recipe is 13.6grs of AA-2015BR in Win cases sparked by Fed 200s with a COL of 1.805". When chambering there is slight resistance in the last half inch of lever travel as the bullet contacts the lands. Due to the longer COL the rounds need to be single loaded. The rounds are placed on the follower and pushed into the chamber by the bolt. I am still seeking a respectable load that will cycle through the magazine, but aleast one half of this quest appears to be completed.
5 shot group at 100yds measured 1.1", and was .95” wide x 1” high. Ave vel: 2265fps, high: 2299, low; 2215. ES: 74fps.
13.8grs produced a 1.5” group that was 1.2” wide x 1” high. Ave vel: 2293, high: 2357, low: 2246, ES: 111fps.
13.2 and 13.4grs grouped about 2.1” Ave vels: 2145 and 2166fps. High: 2156 and 2243. Low: 2134 and 2106. ES: 32 and 137fps. Maybe trying different primers might reduce the ES with 13.2 - 13.8gr loads.
I was looking for something with lower vels, but I am not going to complain if I get 1” to 1.5” groups with cast from a lever gun. My jacketed loads with the Horn 45gr Bee bullet are not any better.
The rounds that I tested that will cycle through the magazine were all crimped in cases trimmed to 1.345". Bullets were seated and crimped in two seperate steps. Crimp was set by running the case into the die and then turning the die down until it stopped using hand preasure only. COL was 1.635". Using the same charge wieghts as the single load rounds did not produce any improvement over earlier tests.
Jacketed bullet loads did not like to be crimped, so based the results thus far it would appear that CBs will not be any different.
Many thanks, Michael