Thread: 7x57mm 1st effort - comments?

Ok so here's a tricky one..I bought 80 new RWS 7x57mm Brass from Gunstuff online before Xmas. Online research gave it a good rap and it seemed well priced - and available. Just got some out for the first time, lubed up for an initial sizing and priming, but it will not go into a Lee #2 shell holder, nor a Lyman #2. WTF? It is visually the same as the older brass I've been reloading, Winchester, Sako, R.P. etc. Putting calipers on a R.P. rim gives 0.468" average, on a RWS I get 0.473". Wikipedia gives rim as 0.476". Rim thickness on a couple of R.P.s goes 0.049-0.050, RWS, 0.044-0.048, Wikipedia gives 0.045.

I'm feeling stupid....

But wait, measuring the case diameter immediately in front of the rim, in the groove, I get a consistent 0.405" on the R.P.s and 0.417-0.418 on the RWS. There is no groove dia given in the Wikipedia (SAMMI?) specs.

No wonder it is well wearing brass, but what the heck do I do for a shell holder? Anyone else run into this?

Update: Going thru my shellholders, a Lee #9 does the job with the RWS, would be too loose on the others I think, stuck cases coming into play..Man I hate stuck cases..the only other application for the Lee #9 being the .41 mag!

Very interesting read Jhon. I've been shooting the 7 x 57 since the late seventies. Started with an old Chilean M95 and have since worked my way through various rifles. Currently using Ruger M77 early Mk 1, rebarreled from 280 Rem.

My go to projectiles have always been Nosler and Norma. Originally Nosler Solid Base Spitzers, no longer available, therwise I'd still be using them. Now Balistic tips which work very well for me.
Norma was the old 150 grain softpoint spire point, sadly also no longer available. I took a punt a long time ago and purchased a large bulk lot. I got very lucky, performed briliiantly.

My currently rifle far prefers the 150 grain balistic tip over the 140.

Being a bit of a fidler I've tried practically every brand you can think of. No names mentioned but in my view some are absolute crap no matter what calibre used in. Despite what some American magazines might say to the contrary.

Powder for the 7 x 57 was always and still is for me, W760. H414 comes close but I'm not qualified to say if it's the same product. If I'm running low or out of 760, H414 I'll go to 2209, but doesn't perform quite as well, not for me anyway.

I've also heard commentary over the years about using magnum primers with high density ball powders. Have tried myself but on each and every occasion have gone back to Federal 210's which I generally buy in bulk lots. Have always had excellent results.

Bullet seating depth, good way to start a discussion. Here's my view.

Touching the lands; yes if your magazine allows but only if you're using a high precision rifle built by a very good gunsmith. Receiver to barrel, bolt face to chamber must be absolutely spot on. The reason being that the projectile cannot straighten itself if its contacting the lands off centre. It can and will if it has a slight jump.
Then your reloading technique must also be the same. Every projectile must be seated dead centre.

I always start with the projectile manufacturers COL and work from there. I'll muck around for ages, adjusting my COL untill I find a sweet spot.

The manufacturers COL for Nosler BT 150 grn is 3.045. My COL is 3.120.

My current load uses 45 grns 760 in front of a Fed 210. 3 shot groups vary from .25 inch up to 1.12 inch. Averages .5 inch. Depends on me and the day.
Same groups and point of impact with the old 150 Normas which I've got about 100 left of.

She's point blank at 200 metres. 2 " high at 100.

Has knocked over plent of reds and japs and isn't burning the barrel.

Hope this assists, good luck with the journey

@RugerM77 thats excellent info thks. I have ordered some W760 from Belmont which I should get next week. Good price their powders too...I'm already having lots of fun and am really looking forward to range time next week and hopefully a couple of sacrificial goats lol. Thks for the post.

I forgot to mention brass, just read your post. That's a bitch. I prefer Norma brass in the 7 x 57. Buy in lots of 100. Diffrent brands will also have diffrent case volumes.
Never used RWS, probably never will after reading your info. Thanks.

Well the RWS looks great, as all new brass does I guess. Research says it is right up there with Lapua etc but that will be a matter of opinion. I have a query in to the supplier, in the meantime #9 Lee shellholder it is.

@Jhon just an aside and it may have no relevance to your caliber but I popped into Gunstuff last year to buy some RWS cases in 22 Hornet. I took my wee portable scales along and weighed them. Extremely nice consistant brass however.....they weighed quite a bit heavier than the Winchester brass I'm currently using which would have reduced the powder capacity in my already fairly full cases. I ended up not buying them.

sum quick load data, 139gr soft point hornardy,
57000psi, for pressure, 7x57. 270 win is 65000, 308 62000, 3006 60000psi for example.

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 139, Hornady BTSP 2825
Useable Case Capaci: 54.881 grain H2O = 3.563 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 57000 psi, or 393 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

213 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 100%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C 108.1 58.8 3.81 3099 99.7 57000 11616 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C 108.5 57.3 3.71 3057 97.8 57000 11458 1.125 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C 110.0 56.8 3.68 3028 94.1 57000 11394 1.126 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C 104.3 56.2 3.64 3028 98.2 57000 11096 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C 112.0 61.0 3.95 3026 99.7 49873 12243 1.185 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 110.4 56.5 3.66 3019 96.4 57000 11127 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C 110.4 56.5 3.66 3019 96.4 57000 11127 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C 110.4 56.5 3.66 3019 96.4 57000 11127 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 110.4 59.4 3.85 3015 92.3 57000 11358 1.130 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T 102.1 50.3 3.26 3009 99.8 57000 10283 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 104.5 52.6 3.41 3004 100.0 57000 9851 1.137 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 108.0 56.1 3.64 2998 94.4 57000 10985 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62 100.9 53.5 3.47 2994 99.5 57000 10378 1.145 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 112.0 60.5 3.92 2994 94.7 56620 11149 1.126 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 112.0 60.5 3.92 2987 94.5 56299 11142 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518 102.8 53.7 3.48 2983 98.4 57000 10483 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 102.0 53.3 3.45 2981 98.6 57000 10421 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 108.7 55.6 3.60 2980 94.2 57000 10845 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T 112.0 55.4 3.59 2979 99.9 54147 10374 1.155 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 112.0 56.0 3.63 2977 95.7 54562 11003 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15 112.0 56.0 3.63 2977 95.7 54562 11003 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 109.5 60.4 3.91 2976 96.7 57000 10620 1.125 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 111.4 55.9 3.62 2972 94.1 57000 10660 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C 106.4 53.8 3.49 2970 96.2 57000 10536 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C 101.4 50.8 3.29 2966 99.6 57000 10080 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 101.5 50.8 3.29 2966 99.6 57000 10077 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 101.0 51.1 3.31 2965 99.6 57000 10088 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 105.5 53.1 3.44 2963 96.0 57000 10436 1.127 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 107.1 54.2 3.51 2962 96.2 57000 10454 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 106.5 51.6 3.34 2949 99.7 57000 9879 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 104.0 52.6 3.41 2943 95.9 57000 10226 1.134 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 104.0 52.6 3.41 2943 95.9 57000 10226 1.134 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C 100.8 52.6 3.41 2943 95.9 57000 10226 1.134 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 106.8 54.6 3.54 2938 97.3 57000 10156 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 110.5 55.9 3.62 2937 98.6 57000 10017 1.161 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 104.3 51.0 3.31 2935 100.0 57000 9328 1.141 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 112.0 58.8 3.81 2933 93.6 55985 10607 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 112.0 55.1 3.57 2931 93.3 53148 10767 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation 112.0 57.8 3.74 2929 91.3 56696 10484 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T 107.3 54.9 3.56 2927 93.6 57000 10191 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T 111.6 54.9 3.56 2927 93.6 57000 10191 1.133 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation 101.6 52.2 3.38 2926 97.6 57000 9974 1.147 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 104.8 55.9 3.62 2918 95.9 57000 9968 1.137 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C 112.0 56.0 3.63 2911 96.7 56479 9845 1.145 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 100.6 50.3 3.26 2910 98.0 57000 9823 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C 112.0 56.4 3.65 2910 98.0 49204 10894 1.199
Hodgdon H4350 *T 103.2 51.1 3.31 2905 97.2 57000 9723 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 101.3 51.0 3.30 2905 97.3 57000 9710 1.143 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 104.6 52.2 3.38 2904 94.7 57000 9874 1.140 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C 112.0 58.2 3.77 2901 92.6 49945 10962 1.206 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T 108.1 53.2 3.45 2892 94.0 57000 9866 1.141 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C 111.7 54.2 3.51 2887 94.6 57000 9685 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 103.4 55.7 3.61 2867 93.7 57000 9621 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 *C 101.0 48.2 3.12 2866 100.0 57000 8727 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30 112.0 56.7 3.67 2800 91.2 44090 10733 1.268
Norma MRP 2 *C 112.0 56.7 3.67 2800 91.2 44090 10733 1.268
Lovex S071 112.0 53.6 3.47 2797 97.1 48359 9702 1.250
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T 112.0 56.0 3.63 2787 84.7 56718 9053 1.154 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80 *C 112.0 61.5 3.98 2780 87.4 43791 11012 1.271
Vihtavuori N570 *C 112.0 59.7 3.87 2762 82.7 43352 10951 1.278
Hodgdon H1000 *T 112.0 56.0 3.63 2744 90.0 45975 9940 1.243
ADI AR 2217 112.0 56.0 3.63 2744 90.0 45975 9940 1.243
Alliant Reloder-33 *C 112.0 61.5 3.98 2674 81.1 40641 10497 1.321
ADI AR 2225 112.0 57.0 3.69 2669 91.2 39316 10433 1.337
Hodgdon Retumbo 112.0 57.0 3.69 2669 91.2 39316 10433 1.337

Cartridge : 7 x 57 mm Mauser (SAAMI)
Bullet : .284, 150, Sierra SPBT 1913
Useable Case Capaci: 54.090 grain H2O = 3.512 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.071 inch = 78.00 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 57000 psi, or 393 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

221 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 100%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C 106.6 57.1 3.70 2994 99.9 57000 11388 1.161 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C 112.0 60.1 3.89 2984 100.0 52780 12011 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C 107.0 55.7 3.61 2954 98.5 57000 11302 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C 108.5 55.3 3.58 2929 95.2 57000 11302 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C 103.0 54.7 3.55 2928 98.8 57000 10944 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 109.0 57.8 3.74 2919 93.5 57000 11295 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 108.9 54.9 3.56 2918 97.3 57000 11002 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C 108.9 54.9 3.56 2918 97.3 57000 11002 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C 108.9 54.9 3.56 2918 97.3 57000 11002 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 111.8 55.1 3.57 2916 97.1 57000 11005 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15 111.8 55.1 3.57 2916 97.1 57000 11005 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T 111.9 54.6 3.54 2915 100.0 57000 10187 1.169 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 110.9 59.0 3.82 2909 95.9 57000 11106 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 111.0 59.1 3.83 2908 95.8 57000 11115 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 106.6 54.6 3.54 2902 95.5 57000 10901 1.161 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T 100.6 48.8 3.17 2900 100.0 57000 10043 1.164 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 102.9 51.0 3.31 2889 100.0 57000 9609 1.179 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 107.4 54.1 3.51 2885 95.3 57000 10770 1.161 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 108.3 58.8 3.81 2882 97.6 57000 10526 1.163 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 112.0 54.3 3.52 2881 95.2 55698 10835 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518 101.3 52.2 3.38 2877 98.9 57000 10314 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 100.5 51.7 3.35 2874 99.1 57000 10244 1.177 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 109.9 54.4 3.52 2873 95.1 57000 10569 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C 104.9 52.3 3.39 2868 97.1 57000 10413 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 104.2 51.7 3.35 2863 96.9 57000 10322 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 105.7 52.7 3.41 2861 97.0 57000 10335 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 111.2 57.6 3.73 2861 95.2 57000 10610 1.162 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C 112.0 55.5 3.60 2860 99.1 51658 10846 1.212 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C 112.0 57.4 3.72 2856 94.6 52858 11050 1.217 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation 110.8 56.3 3.65 2841 92.7 57000 10468 1.168 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 102.6 51.2 3.32 2841 96.8 57000 10107 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 102.6 51.2 3.32 2841 96.8 57000 10107 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 104.9 50.1 3.25 2841 99.9 57000 9665 1.193 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 105.3 53.1 3.44 2836 98.0 57000 10017 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 109.0 54.3 3.52 2834 99.1 57000 9855 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T 110.2 53.4 3.46 2830 94.6 57000 10117 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T 105.9 53.4 3.46 2830 94.6 57000 10117 1.172 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 102.7 49.5 3.21 2825 100.0 57000 9095 1.183 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation 100.2 50.7 3.29 2823 98.3 57000 9828 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 103.5 54.4 3.52 2820 96.8 57000 9871 1.177 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C 110.8 54.6 3.54 2819 97.5 57000 9748 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 103.2 50.7 3.29 2804 95.7 57000 9774 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 *T 101.8 49.7 3.22 2803 97.9 57000 9586 1.183 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T 106.7 51.8 3.35 2794 95.0 57000 9781 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C 110.2 52.7 3.41 2789 95.5 57000 9594 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 102.1 54.2 3.51 2771 94.7 57000 9546 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 *C 112.0 55.8 3.62 2760 93.5 46454 10859 1.279
Bofors RP30 112.0 55.8 3.62 2760 93.5 46454 10859 1.279
ReloadSwiss RS 80 *C 112.0 60.6 3.93 2752 90.1 46146 11239 1.280
Lovex S071 112.0 52.8 3.42 2746 98.3 51176 9672 1.262 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 *C 112.0 58.9 3.82 2734 85.7 45587 11229 1.288
ADI AR 2217 112.0 55.2 3.58 2705 92.4 48128 10084 1.256
Hodgdon H1000 *T 112.0 55.2 3.58 2705 92.4 48128 10084 1.256
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T 110.9 54.7 3.54 2703 86.2 57000 9069 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33 *C 112.0 60.6 3.93 2650 84.3 42709 10806 1.331
Hodgdon Retumbo 112.0 56.1 3.64 2639 93.9 41220 10615 1.348
ADI AR 2225 112.0 56.1 3.64 2639 93.9 41220 10615 1.348

Originally Posted by zimmer

@Jhon just an aside and it may have no relevance to your caliber but I popped into Gunstuff last year to buy some RWS cases in 22 Hornet. I took my wee portable scales along and weighed them. Extremely nice consistant brass however.....they weighed quite a bit heavier than the Winchester brass I'm currently using which would have reduced the powder capacity in my already fairly full cases. I ended up not buying them.

That's interesting..I was reloading a mix of headstamps yesterday, Sako, Winchester and R.P.. the Sako were almost filling to the brim when the others had a good 4-5mm of space above the powder. I tap tapped the full cases on the bench top and settled them down enough to get a bullet started. I also emptied the first couple out and re weighed the charge thinking I had made a mistake. The RL19 being a big stick powder it does tend to bridge and hang in the funnel neck when dropping in to the case and I wondered at first if it was doing this in the case. But no, too consistent with the Sakos, even tho they did tap down quite a bit. In the end, knowing high end RL19 loads are compressed anyway, I just went ahead and seated the bullets. There was no noticeable resistance when doing so. I will be noting headstamps alongside chrono data when testing and watching closely, as always, for pressure. And now to my point, loading the RWS today, they had far more visible space in the case above the powder at the near max loads than any of the other headstamps. So maybe a calibre dependent issue. Will add to my interest in the range results.

@Southerman, thks for all that data mate, will take me a few minutes to digest it all lol

Originally Posted by Jhon

........loading the RWS today, they had far more visible space in the case above the powder at the near max loads than any of the other headstamps. So maybe a calibre dependent issue. Will add to my interest in the range results.

I try to stick to one brand of brass, and match lot numbers as well.

Made a mistake in my original posting - went into Shootingstuff and weighed the brass not Gunstuff. Looks like Shootingstuff are now trying to clear their remainng stock thru Gunstuff. Shootingstuff have had the RWS for some time and their prices of what's left are heavily discounted. Probably wasn't popular given the original v high prices.
As I said, it appeared very good quality.

Where I am using a powder that fills the case (still safe load) up into the neck I use a drop tube. I have a homemade one about 40mm long. Powder will settle maybe 2mm lower depending upon cartridge and powder type.

Yes I'm using a long drop tube that came in a cased set of funnels. The RL19 would be the largest sticks of powder I've come across. Probably a key contributor to its slow burn. But it will easily hang up in the drop tube. I'm just grateful I have the Lee Perfect powder measure, actually I also have the deluxe version. Having tried most of the others I can't believe how good the cheap Perfect is. The more expensive Deluxe is nicer to use but no more accurate. They both handle the large stick powder well. And they don't leak the fine WC296 I also run thru them regularly. But back to the point, the drop tube doesn't add any value to dropping the RL19, I have to tap tap tapppity tap the bloody tube to get it to flow into the case. I learned the hard way about lifting the funnel and tube off the case mouth before checking that ALL the powder had dropped. Ha, the vicissitudes of reloading...

And yes, if I was in the market for more new brass I would still be jumping on the. RWS at the current Gunstuff prices given its online rep. Be good to hear from those who have actually used it tho..

did you sort the shell holder problem I've come across the same problem with x57 brass when i owned one cant remember what i did tho it was a while ago i probably used a x55 or 308 one possibly

Originally Posted by northdude

did you sort the shell holder problem I've come across the same problem with x57 brass when i owned one cant remember what i did tho it was a while ago i probably used a x55 or 308 one possibly

Found that a Lee #9, which is otherwise listed only for .41 Mag, does the job. To be sure I lubed the brass carefully! Have a query in to Gunstuff in the meantime. Will see what they say.

Bloody fingers, my drop tube is 550 mm long not 40mm. The ones in the funnel set are too short. Made mine out of a length of copper tube.
W296 is a bastard, it jammed up the rotating tube on my Chargemaster.