BD1 wrote:WC, have you had any issues with the presence of the unused port? My interest would be in going the other direction, locating a new port even closer to the receiver so the action would operate using 400 grainers at 1,050 fps. Once the second port is installed, it seems like it would be a pretty simple thing to switch back and forth as needed. Here in SC we are allowed to hunt with suppressors.
BD
Sub-Sonic.. Sho-Nuff BD, you can go closer, but port size becomes critical and there can be some slight problems, that can be overcomed by tweaking. I took some cheapie 500gr 458" SWC's and used something like a compressed load of 870, with a super-stout LeGendre Side Crimp, to get them to seal in the chamber, on a std length gas system and got things to function nicely and the speeds were slightly over 1000fps. With a port closer to the chamber, you might be able to use faster powders than 870 and thus seal the case better. Lemme know, I have a test jig, I made up, that will tell you where to locate the port and how big to make it, for any given loading. If ya need it I'll send it over. You'll need to get your load down pat and then decide where the port goes and how large it needs to be. But 400grainers with something like blue dot or maybe 2400, loaded down to 1050fps, those might just function the 16" system just fine, try it out and holler back..t
