FAL vs bolt gun: Chrono differences?

[S.Kargoh]

interested in seeing chrono data on stuff like:

How much velocity does the semi-auto zap versus a bolt action?

Barrel length/velocity (16,17,18,19,20,21")?

Gas settings affect on velocity?

Different ammo brands (countries)?

Anybody done such tests?

[ August 10, 2001: Message edited by: EMDII ]

[EMDII]

Moved to Ammunition ;)

[EMDII]

ALL NATO/STANAG-spec ammunition will preform at 2750 fps MV out of a 21" preoperly-assembled FAL.

TYypical values indicate 50-100 fps loss per inch of barrel lost. YMMV, and could depend on headspace, piston wear, and other factors.

[S.Kargoh]

thanks, and sorry for not posting in the right place.

[Wadman]

21" barrel, STG kit built on a metric IMBEL. Test was conducted using a Pact Model 1 set about 10 feet away. Five shots were fired for each lot of ammo.

RG 1960
Avg. FPS 2666
SD. 33.1

Norinco 1992
Avg. FPS 2674
SD. 17.8

DAG 5/82
Avg. FPS 2716
SD. 20.8

DAG 67-13
Avg. FPS 2698
SD. 25.9

==================================================

When I get around to it, I'll repeat this test with a larger variety of ammo and rifles (more lots of DAG, Spanish surplus, two more lots of RG, Norinco 1992, and CAVIM). I'll add a 50.61, a DSA SA58, and an 18" STG kitgun. This might be a bit ambitious, but ought to provide PLENTY of info for anyone.

[ June 07, 2001: Message edited by: Wadman ]

[RayVet]

What timing!! Got a new Howa 1500 24" bolt action and chrono'ed some RG '89 from it and my Entrpr. STG w/ 21" tube.

Results: Average of 5

Howa: 2822
FAL: 2660

BTW.. The Howa is a tack driver!!

[TideWater 41009]

Ammo used was RG89, velocity listed is average of 5 shots.

98 Mauser bolt action with 24" commercial (Douglas) barrel: 2832 f.p.s.

StG58 parts set with full-length 21" barrel, built on Imbel receiver: 2821 f.p.s.

98 Mauser bolt action with 21.5" Israeli military surplus barrel: 2757 f.p.s.

[Dano]

Portguese 79-34 headstamp - 2754fps.

[gman]

Using Remington-Peters 180 grain softs for an average: 2598 from CAI with 20.125" barrel.

Forgot to add this was shot over a Shooting Chrony F-1 at 15 feet.

[ June 10, 2001: Message edited by: gman ]

[Zed Stewart]

I have notice with my 21" FAL and my 19" Rem 700 that there is no appreciable difference. I worked up some handloads that went 2935 in the FAL and 2920 in the 700.

Food for thought.

$100 will get you a chronograph and it is well worth the money.

[GySgt D]

I couldn't get my handloaded 150gr bullets to go over 2640 out of a STG kit gun. That was using both Varget and WC844. I wasn't impressed at the time, but it looks now that it is about right. :cool:

[TideWater 41009]

I chronographed some Hirtenberger 79 yesterday (July 1). Ambient temperature was 70 degrees. I used an FAL with a 21 inch long R1 barrel in decent shape.

Average velocity was 2647 fps.

So far, Radway has the highest velocity of any surplus ammo that I have chronographed.

Refinishing Guy

[Ape]

See my Chrony results with 84 RG under the above Radway Green Ammo post.

My reloads were 91 LC Brass, Fed 210M, 147 gr FMJ with 4064 as the powder.

41.5 gr produced an AVG 2658 with a SD 12.4

This was by far the most accurate of all the loads I tried. A 1-5/8 5 shot group and a 1-7/8 5 shot group with iron sights made a believer out of me.

42 and 42.5 just opened up and the velocity started to drop off.

Sorry guess I should mention that all loads were shot thru a 21" Stg kit gun

[ July 04, 2001: Message edited by: Ape ]

[Wadman]

Okay, more 7.62 chronograph data:

18" STG-58 Kit gun

Radway-Green 84
Avg FPS 2721
SD 17.8

DAG 7.62 1/80 (on box label) 79 (on headstamp)
Avg FPS 2710
SD 9.3


21" STG-58 Kit gun

Radway-Green 84
Avg FPS 2772
SD 15.0

DAG 1/80 (LOS DAG on box label)
Avg FPS 2749
SD 25.9

Santa Barbara SB 79 (Spanish)
Avg FPS 2693
SD 25.2

Norinco 92 (copperwashed steel cases & bullets)
Avg FPS 2670
SD 16.2

-------------------------------------------

Interestingly, the 18" barrel gave up very little velocity to the longer barrel. Next range trip, I'll test out some Portugese FNM 78-14 and a couple of other batches of DAG. Anyone got a 16.5" barrel to loan me for testing? :)