Bench-Talk

Several seasons ago, Mike Swartz advised me to check-out some powder that was being distributed by Graff & Sons  - Vectan NobelSport Tubal-2000 - which, in his 30BR, proved to be an excellent performer. Once I broke-down and scored some, I tested it, in my then fairly "new" , Ronnie Long chambered , Morrison 1:18", 30BR chambered HV rig . . . in a quick test, it showed some potential - especially at the "whimpy" end of the charge weight range! ;)

Here are (I hope) the pics of the initial test session - too bad for most - now days, this powder is listed as unobtainium ! ;) Ok, one of the pics showed up - after laying it on-it-side and croping, it seems to "fit" - here's the scoop (Note: during the shootin, the target was in the normal vertical position): Aiming at the intersection of the lower "target box" (just left of the black triangle  - in this position, above it) , the initial 5-shot group (60 on the Harrell's or, 31.3 Gr.) was acceptable; the next one up (63 Harrell's) began to show too much vertical; DITTO for 65 and 67 Harrell's - it's possible that I skipped over a THIN node, as, on the last two groups, I was going up in 1.2 Gr. increments. But, I don't like a window that narrow anyway, so didn't revisit the "more powder" zone. Oh, these were shot using the infamously, "difficult to tune" 10 ogive BIB 118 Gr., @ 0.030" of jam-seat, using a NK bushing 0.004" under the loaded round neck diameter.

Based upon a conference with Terry Meyer  and Mike Bigelow,  the "SWAG" method  dictated  a charge of 61-H, or, about 31.9 Gr. - thus, ten rounds were loaded. Whereupon, the sighter bull was used to "map" the developing light wind, then, one shot was taken at the "record" bulls . . and, with pleasingly predictable results. Obviously, shooting the "record" bulls commenced during the weaker end of the condition displayed by the sighter. The rifle proceeded to shoot that charge, well enough to notch a win, on what proved to be a tough day, as the wind increased in volume with each successive match. The keg was promptly sealed, awaiting the expiration of our H-4198 stash, which is now at hand . . . for the first time in a week, HE's smiling . . . ;) RG

    Looks, good Randy.

   Vectan Tubal 2000 is also known and marketed as:  'Truth Serum', ''Vita Viagra-Oy-Boy-Oy-Boy', 'Pixie Dust', 'No Place Like Home Sprinkles', Santa's Magic Dust' and 'Pinch to Grow an Inch'.

   Not only did Randy stash enough away to keep him shooting for the forseeable future, he also obtained one of the rare Magic Powder Loading Data manuals..a first edition, no less. Since Vectan is a French powder, it came with the even rarer Truth Serum Translator Device...a 'must have' for all collectors.  -Al

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   And since it's a French made powder, it's probably mixed up in bath tubs of unoccupied Motel 6 rooms...grin.

Yeah, all of THAT, plus, HE can't get past the, "color by the numbers" page . . . it could be a LONG season . . .  ;) RG

 I have just over two pounds left of Nobel - Scotland H-4198 bought from ammo -mart many years ago. Try 24.8 gr in old Sako brass ,71/2 Rem primer with a 65 gr Berger in a  6 PPC . I am seated .006 into the lands. This load will go soon in some 1996 Lapua brass . It worked from -25 to 90 + degrees temperature .

Now that is truely the "magic powder"  !

 Glenn

Sorry Gents:

     If it's made in France, I don't want it.

     It will suffer from slow, delayed, or non-ignition, fence sitting, and early withdrawal. Pass the Freedom Fries.

     My Grand parents left France for a reason in 1896.

Francis Becigneul:

Sorry Gents:  If it's made in France, I don't want it.

  Francis: That was the point of my "..made in Motel 6 rooms" comment. Motel 6 is owned by the Accor Corp., which is a French corporation. When Randy Robinett and I went to Mainville, Pa. for the 2003 IBS Score Nationals, we were dog-azzed tired and vowed to stop at "the next" motel we came to for the night. Wouldn't 'ya know it..the next one we came to was a Motel 6!  Determined to put our hard earned clams into the hands of an American company, we drove on to a Super 8.

  'Course...nobody workin' there spoke English anyway. ;) 

Having worked with this powder for some time, I can say it is TRUTH SERUM. It burns cleaner than anything available and works well even when using the 31G POOCH  loads. Brother Goody uses it from 33.9 up to 34.5. Good stuff and thanks to RG for the heads up several years ago. We are down to our last 4 kegs....

Got the wrong pic - can neither delete or change it . . . I give up :(  . . . well, surendering helped - at leaset the pic went away.

So, here's a buggared up "copy" of the pic I wanted to post: the follow-up [100 Yd.] "test" of the POOCH level for the Magic Powder - this time 31.7 Gr. of the stuff. This was a few weeks later - summer, 2004.  When shot, the target was in the vertical orientation and the "record" shots were fired in reverse sequence - that is, beginning with bull #5 and proceeding counter clock-wise.  In order to get this pic to post here, both heavy cropping and and reductions were necessary: it was "laid" on its side to make for easier viewing. I don't know if the component notes are readable: ten ogive 118 Gr. bullets and WSM primers - again, this was via the HV rig, but with a PacNor 1:18" twist, 30BR cahmbered barrel.

The condition was a managable, but "scary" 11:00  to 2:00 0'Clock - the sighter maps the [associated] potential vertical - just as one would expect due to thses angle variations !  Making certain (not always easy) that the wind angle was between 1:00 & 2:00 O'Clock , the five record bulles were then shot, using the hold-off(s) indicated as necessary by the sighter group. This is a good example of "GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT" - I did not chronograph this load and probably never will . . . it shoots too well and too predictably - I don't want to get into playing mind games with it. ;) RG

P.S. Of note, even with the UGLY vertical, caused by deliberately "testing" the varying wind angle/svelocities, the sighter group would still measure  about 0.250" : visually slide ten-ring up, to "center" the five-shots - the outside edges will just barely exceed the diameter of the ring, which measures 0.50" - roughly .30 from that, leaves a pretty decent group. Precision is THE primary attribute required for ther shooting of Xes. Regrettably, it's not every day that the mind functions a such a high level of recall and application ! ;)

Last weekend in 60 degree weather 31.85 grains of TRUTH SERUM gave up 2817 FPS using a 117 grain bullet. A 3 shot could not be measured but 2 separate 5 shot groups measured .2000 in windy conditions at 100 yards with 2 different shooters. I figure that is one bounce off the ground for a 200 yard target.........

David NMN Apple:

Last weekend in 60 degree weather 31.85 grains of TRUTH SERUM gave up 2817 FPS using a 117 grain bullet. A 3 shot could not be measured but 2 separate 5 shot groups measured .2000 in windy conditions at 100 yards with 2 different shooters. I figure that is one bounce off the ground for a 200 yard target.........

 Now, David, why did ya haz t' go and tell HIM that - BIG MIKE don't like slooooow  - He'll be whining before we fire a shot! ;) I was afraid that the MV was somewhere "south of the border" - at least it's only ONE skip! RG

that fps was recorded using a Pact chronograph NOT an Oehler. It is probably about 2870-80 fps but deadly.....