Well I survived the shooting/testing of the 190 grain Hawk loads. Carbine is a 1913 1899H in better than average condition, 20" barrel. I loaded 3 rounds (each) with 29,30 and 31 grains of current production IMR3031 powder. Charges were weighed on RCBS scale. New PRVI brass and Winchester large rifle primers.
29 grain results: (1) 1789 fps (2) 1800 fps (3) 1800 fps AVE> 1796 fps. Primers backed out slightly with no flattening of other signs of pressure. Easy extraction.
30 grain results (1) 1850 fs (2) 1860 fps (3) 1850 fps AVE: 1853 fps. Slight flattening of primers. No backing out. No other signs of pressure. easy extraction.
31 grain results (1) 1899 fps (2) 1885 fps (3) 1876 fps AVE: 1886 fps. Slight flattening of primers. Very slight cratering on one primer. Easy extraction.
Conclusion: 30 grains gave the best velocity with least pressure signs. 31 grains did not improve the velocity enough to be worth the extra wear and tear on the rifle. 29 grains, while a good starter load is somewhat slow and allowed slight backing of primers. In my carbine I will loads 30 grains and see how the accuracy rings out once I can get 100 yards snow free.
Disclaimer: These loads are considered to be safe in MY carbine. I cannot endorse the use of them in others firearms. Also I have no control over how people load so there for not responsible for the use of this data.
Darryl
