Lehigh NFPJ and GMB54-120 test report

I took it out to the range today and tested 2 primers, Win209 and CCI209M.

I used 45 and 50cal 300gr, 325gr and 385gr 50 cal bullets with MMP 54cal sabots. I started with 100gr and worked upto the max 120gr load.

Besides being VERY sore the conversion functioned perfectly. I got a bit more blowby than i prefer but it was still better than the standard FPJ.

Win209s did the best again but i only tried different 2 primers and about 25 shots. By best i mean the cleanest. No hang fires at all with either primer.

Ignition was very spontaneous and with the max charge was plain brutal using the 50cal 385gr Rem CLHP bullet. I even blew one sabot but im not sure which bullet blew the sabot. I think it was the Rainier 300gr HP.

All the 45/54 sabots were fine, even the 300gr PT Scorpion Gold. My 54cal groups sucked (2 1/2") with iron sights at 50yards but this wasnt a sight in session, i was only testing the Lehigh NFPJ in my gun.

The 2 primers worked fine and ejected fine. I will post pics of the unclean breach plug later. I hurt quite a bit atm after a 3 hour range session even using the sled without weights.

Im going to take a pain killer and take a shower in a few minutes.

Good report my friend
I plan on testing the w209 again when my modified BP's come back.
The CCI-M is a dirty primer in my CVA.
I am trying to find some Fiocci primers but no luck.
Enjoy your pain killer.
BTW
I have found that lead shot bags seem to absorb more recoil that the weight plates.

I'm glad to hear that the Winchester primers work in the conversion, I am hoping I can get away from Federals. They are hard for me to find and seem to be dirtier than the W209's. Thanks for the report.

Saxman, a guy I know that runs a gunshop uses Fiocchi primers exclusively in his Apex and Encores.

saxman1 said:

Good report my friend
I plan on testing the w209 again when my modified BP's come back.
The CCI-M is a dirty primer in my CVA.
I am trying to find some Fiocci primers but no luck.
Enjoy your pain killer.
BTW
I have found that lead shot bags seem to absorb more recoil that the weight plates.

Click to expand...

Win209 and Nobel 209/686 work fine in my CVA plugs. Modded and stock. Both are cleaner than any other in mine. The Nobel WONT work in most USA breach plugs.

Win209s seem the cleanest in every gun ive tried them in. I think it is because they are a tiny bit longer than most other primers. They are almost spotless in a CVA plug.

My LGS sells the Nobels for $25 per 1000 and nearly as clean

BTW i did add 3 bags to the sled but by that time i was already sore. That GMB54 with a 120gr charge is brutal with bullets over 350gr. Im fatigued more than anything and im making a complete recovery from my out patient surgery.

Thank you Jesus!

I shouldnt have gone today but i had to with the beautiful 60F day. The wind kept most of my groups to average except the 2 most important 200yard groups.

I shot the best one of my life with a Lehigh 185gr DOA and 110gr of BH209. They are much better for long distance than the listed BC would imply.

Thanks again Jesus!

Glad to hear you are recovering well.
Take it easy on yourself.
I had excellent results with the W-209 before I got a hangfire and it shied me away from them
I have decided that the HF was most likely my fault so I want to try them again.
At the range I've had the worst luck with the Fed 209-A with an average of 2 out of 10 being hang fires.
I was not cleaning the fire channel between shots though,I do now.

dalberg said:

I'm glad to hear that the Winchester primers work in the conversion, I am hoping I can get away from Federals. They are hard for me to find and seem to be dirtier than the W209's. Thanks for the report.

Click to expand...

+1 on the Federals. Prefer to use W209 or Rem STS... so much cleaner !

Lehigh plug

what powder was you useing?

Re: Lehigh plug

wayles said:

what powder was you useing?

Click to expand...

100-120gr BH209

Pics of the GMB54 uncleaned after 25+ shots
















Not bad considering some of the charges were 120gr and a 50cal Rem 385gr CLHP

GM54-120

Great post - i am glad it worked that well for you. I still maintain that it is cleaner than either of the Knight systems....

Be careful piling on to much weight on the lead sled... I know they say it will not cause a problem - but I believe it will - which is a whole nother can of worms....

sabotloader said:

GM54-120

Great post - i am glad it worked that well for you. I still maintain that it is cleaner than either of the Knight systems....

Be careful piling on to much weight on the lead sled... I know they say it will not cause a problem - but I believe it will - which is a whole nother can of worms....

Click to expand...

I only used 3 small bags, maybe 30lbs after the first charge over 100gr and the 385gr CLHP. Those suckers are NASTY!!!

Im cautious too mainly since its a laminated stock and has massive recoil in a roughly 6lb gun. The sled still moved quite a bit.

The gun really drew a crowd with the full power loads. :lol:

Im happy with my purchase from Lehigh. It was far better than my other options but i am sorry others have not been as lucky as me.

I just wanted to let people know it can work and IMO Dave will make it work for those having issues. I made NO mods to mine. This is exactly the way it shipped to me. The issue i had at first was 100% my fault.

looks great nice and clean!

sabotloader said:

GM54-120

Great post - i am glad it worked that well for you. I still maintain that it is cleaner than either of the Knight systems....

Be careful piling on to much weight on the lead sled... I know they say it will not cause a problem - but I believe it will - which is a whole nother can of worms....

Click to expand...

I usually use one 25lb weight plate on my sled
I do have two 25lb bags of lead and they work great although very expensive.

I just cleaned it.

I didnt take anymore pics but it only took a total of 6 patches and Hoppes #9 for clean up. The bolt FPJ pocket had the most but took one patch with a round brush. The primer adapter wasnt bad at all.

The rest of the receiver area and bolt cleaned up nice and easy with the brush covered with 2 patches and the fouling was less compared to the NPJ range session. The previous NPJ outing didnt have any max charges either, this time had about 10.

IMO not bad over all for a bolt design clean up.

BTW this time it seemed like i didnt have to tighten the breach plug as hard to get the bolt to close. It still a tight lockup but IMO a good tight now.