Author: Zed
Subject: Norma 202 first test.
Posted: January 12 2025 at 1:19pm
Being unable to get N140 from my local Armourer; I have some Norma 202 powder to try out for this years Service rifle competitions.
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Subject: Norma 202 first test.
Posted: January 12 2025 at 1:19pm
Being unable to get N140 from my local Armourer; I have some Norma 202 powder to try out for this years Service rifle competitions.
I have two rifles to load for: the No1MkIII* and the No4Mk1/2.
The No1 rifle generally prefers lighter loads than the No4; which seems to the case with the Norma 202 as well.
I loaded 39.0, 39.4, 39.8 and 40.0 grains for the initial test. Test was at 50 metres, which is not ideal, but that's all we have locally.
I had the good fortune that another club member turned up to test some ammo' and brought a Garmin bullet velocity radar. So he chronographed my test , which was very helpful. It's an impressive piece of kit!
Speeds were lower than I expected, but the accuracy looks good on this first test. I will be able to try it in February for the first competition.
The No1MkIII* was best at the 39.0 grain test. Opening up more as the load increases.
The No4Mk1/2 was best at 39.4 grains.
The velocity measured for these two loads was similar, at 2220 ft/sec average. Which may be due to the difference in barrel wear between these two rifles.
I would mention that these were shot off a bag support at the fore end. Also, the No1MkIII* has a Parker Dioptre rear sight fitted. The target is homemade, to give more aim points for the test, to avoid confusion.
