Lapping load data help

[ScottDSchreiber]

Howdy,

I've had some of Mike's lapping bullets laying around for a couple years and have a chance to load some with a buddy's help. I've forgotten the grains of powder to use - I have either the Bullseye or Blue Dot powder. Still don't know if I'm gonna actually do the fire lapping, I'm gonna try some handloads first and see how they shoot. Thanks.

[Shakey]

My first inclination is that neither Bullseye or Blue Dot is useable in the .223, unless it came from the instructions with the lapping bullets. If not, don't try it. That's a recipe for a major blow-up. I've been reloading for 40+ years and never seen the use of either in any of the modern rifle cartridges. With that being said, I doubt greatly that lapping the original Mini-14 barrel will greatly improve accuracy. You can't get blood out of a turnip........if you know what I mean. If it was a high quality barrel it might help some.

[cajungeo]

Welcome aboard Scott. I used to have that info, but don't know where it went. You should contact Mike to get accurate info.

I read everything I could find on fire lapping. There is one crowd, that believes it wears out your barrel, and another crowd that says no it doesn't if done correctly it smooths a rough bore, so it shoots more accurate, and deposits less copper in the bore, so it shoots longer before cleaning is needed.

The bore in my 196 series was very rough. I could feel the roughness when using cleaning patches. I didn't have blue dot, but had H 110 pistol powder (sometimes used for the M-1). I used 3 grains of H110. The idea is for the bullet to be slow, but clear the barrel. Very important is to verify each round clears before firing the next! If you don't you could have a damaged rifle, or face. Mike recommend loading fine grit first, then to the courser grit. This is because the grit will be in the die. You don't want course grit in your finish grit rounds. Again you need to contact Mike to get the correct how to info.

BTW accuracy improved 1/4" average 5 shot group on my rifle.
http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=34838&highlight=fire+laping

[ScottDSchreiber]

Thanks for the welcome Caj....seems like a sweet shooting site! I emailed Mike awhile ago but haven't heard back. My mini shoots nice 2-3" groups at 100 but I get flyers. Haven't tried handloads, but will be loading some up tomorrow - gonna try 60gr V-max with 26 gr of Varget. I just want a coyote gun, we hunt with hounds and the mini with the clip and being semi is perfect. I don't need small groups but who doesn't want all the accuracy they can get.
I'll post a pic in the gallery soon, thanks again for the welcome and if its handy, what is Mike's email, just so I can verify I have the right one. Later.