Today at the Bench.....

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Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff

Rcbs lube is slick, interesting that it made sizing easier than imperial wax. I’m still looking for dies for my 9.3x57. What powder are you going to use in the 41 mag?


JTD

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My Hornady dies are working very well for 9.3x57. I've got both Husqvarna rifles shooting with decent results. The most recent loads were made up with IMR4064. My dies were a gift. I have no idea about the vendor.

41 Magnum: I had started out with Shooter's World Powders. The first rounds was with Ultimate Pistol. This powder did work well. The burning rate information and data takes me out of my comfort zone. There is no Lovex date on this powder. The last small run was done with SW Heavy Pistol-similar to Accurate #9. There is data from SW or Lovex for 41 Magnum. I'm having to ration large pistol primers.

I would have lost money on a bet about the RCBS lube. The nickle plated brass is a different critter.

Ive been away from the bench for way too long. Ive been redoing my reloading room and a buddy built me a new bench. I’m in the final stages of getting everything organized, and I’ll be back in action. Ive got a ton of projects to work on once I’m done.


JTD

Today: We did some work on the Mauser based 256 Newton. We may have a scope malfunction. Plans are to make two more small batches of test reloads. Right now sure likes like the problem is on the outside of the rifle. All indications are that rifle will be extremely accurate. The test rounds we ran today was loaded with 48.5 grs. of RL-19 and an old Speer 130gr. flat base spitzers. The next two batches will be using RL-17 and Shooters World 4350, In the meantime I'm trying to find some Sierra 140gr. bullets.

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Originally Posted by Mowgli Terry

Today: We did some work on the Mauser based 256 Newton. We may have a scope malfunction. Plans are to make two more small batches of test reloads. Right now sure likes like the problem is on the outside of the rifle. All indications are that rifle will be extremely accurate. The test rounds we ran today was loaded with 48.5 grs. of RL-19 and an old Speer 130gr. flat base spitzers. The next two batches will be using RL-17 and Shooters World 4350, In the meantime I'm trying to find some Sierra 140gr. bullets.

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That sounds like an interesting one. I hope you get the problem sorted out. Do you have a picture of that rifle?

So far I have only tried RL17 in my K31 7.5x55, with 175gr Berger VLD hunting bullets. Ive had great results with it in that platform. I’m planning on trying it in 257 Roberts also.


JTD

A 256 Newton rifle: I don't know how to post pictures here-still being back in the last century is sometimes awkward.. This rifle was on the "bucket list" The rifle was built up by two local gunsmiths. One is deceased and the other retired. A matching Mauser-Byf 43 action was the basis. Bell&Carson supplied the stock. A 5R Bartlein 1:9 twist that is 26" long was used.

Cases are formed from 270 brass. The shoulder is set back to 23 degrees. The cases are trimmed to length. Two sets of FL dies are used to form cases. The C&H that is several years old. The other is a vintage set from RCBS. There is enough solid reloading data to get started.

I insisted that the hump be left on the receiver bridge. To me, to remove the hump does not look very good on a converted military action. We used Leupold bases and rings. I am personally convinced one could get good highly usable loads in Roberts using most anything between IMR 4895 and RL-17. Varget has given some very good results with 100gr+ bullets

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Originally Posted by Mowgli Terry

A 256 Newton rifle: I don't know how to post pictures here-still being back in the last century is sometimes awkward.. This rifle was on the "bucket list" The rifle was built up by two local gunsmiths. One is deceased and the other retired. A matching Mauser-Byf 43 action was the basis. Bell&Carson supplied the stock. A 5R Bartlein 1:9 twist that is 26" long was used.

Cases are formed from 270 brass. The shoulder is set back to 23 degrees. The cases are trimmed to length. Two sets of FL dies are used to form cases. The C&H that is several years old. The other is a vintage set from RCBS. There is enough solid reloading data to get started.

I insisted that the hump be left on the receiver bridge. To me, to remove the hump does not look very good on a converted military action. We used Leupold bases and rings. I am personally convinced one could get good highly usable loads in Roberts using most anything between IMR 4895 and RL-17. Varget has given some very good results with 100gr+ bullets

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Sounds like an incredible rifle. Right up my alley. Ive got mausers that have had the stripper clip guide removed and others that haven’t. I don’t think I mind either way, but it’s definitely cheaper just to leave it alone.

Ive always used slower powders in my 257 Roberts. H4350 and H414 have given me excellent results with 115, 117, and 120gr bullets. I don’t think I’ve ever shot a 100gr bullet out of any of the three of them.


JTD

I used 100 gr, bullets in my Number One B 257 Roberts caliber rifle. Those guns were slandered for having a very long throat. Actually, the guns were not made as dual purpose guns. The 100gr. bullets did very well. The 87 and 75gr. bullets were not practical. There was zero interest in making those rifles dual purpose.

The Roberts is amazing cartridge. My "go-to" bullet had always been the 87gr. Sierra or 75gr. Hornady. Those favorites did not apply to that Ruger. I don't care about making up varmint loads for the Newton or the 7mm-08. The Roberts does just fine.

I had the impression that the 256 Newton was that basis for the 25-06 , sounds like it was more a 6.5-06' and named from the .256 bore not the .264 groove . Something new every day .

The 257 Roberts is a much shorter being one of the x57 sisters .

Ive never used the 257 Roberts as a varmint rifle, but I’m sure it is a dandy. It’s been an excellent deer and hog round for me with the Hornady 117gr BTSP.


JTD

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Originally Posted by Harter

I had the impression that the 256 Newton was that basis for the 25-06 , sounds like it was more a 6.5-06' and named from the .256 bore not the .264 groove . Something new every day .

The 257 Roberts is a much shorter being one of the x57 sisters .

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Sometimes the way rounds got named is crazy making. The 256 is the bore diameter not the groove diameter. Like the English people speak of a 256 Mannlicher. We call the cartridge 6.5x 54 Mannlicher.

Basically, Newton was doing his own thing. He was a prolific designer of cartridges and two rifles. The 25-06 is spoken of as the 25 Neidner. Niedner was the designer of that round.

Ned Roberts knew about the 25-06 but understood too much capacity for the powders of the day. Roberts had support for his experimentation from both Remington and Hercules, now Alliant. for the development of his cartridge. Neidner barrelled up Roberts' crew Mauser's and Springfield's Shooters are ecstatic sbout contemporary 6.5's. They are just now catching up from what we could buy in 1914. Wooooo

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Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff

Ive never used the 257 Roberts as a varmint rifle, but I’m sure it is a dandy. It’s been an excellent deer and hog round for me with the Hornady 117gr BTSP.


JTD

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Most of my varminting was done with a built up Mauser. The barrel was a 1:12 Douglas #5 weight barrel. Actual chronographed performance had a 75 gr. Hornady at 3500 fps. The expansion was truly explosive. The trajectory of that bullet at that speed compared favorably with high end performance of the 220 Swift with 55gr. bullet.

Ned Roberts had in mind the 257 Roberts as being a dual purpose round. That is, for varmints and larger Easter game. The Roberts does very well as a varmint cartridge. I'm like most Roberts partisans. I don't want to hear any crap about new cartridges from the middle 1950's. None.

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

That is one beautiful rifle, do let us know how it shoots.

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The 32-40 shot decent. I tried two different cast bullets and a jacketed bullet. The cast bullets didnt shoot very well but the jacketed bullets shot well. Had a little trouble with brass sticking in the chamber. Finally figured out I hadn't sized the brass down far enough. Next round of testing should go better.

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Shot some test loads in my 25-06 pistol for the first time, 87gr soft points over 4064. Recoil was mild and the load shot pretty good. Look forward to doing some more testing. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e171f3bf21.jpg

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Finally have done something reloading related. Fireformed 338-06 Ackley and 375 whelen Ackley brass cleaned and dried. Two batches of 30-06 brass in the dryer, third batch being cleaned. Next is starline 41 mag brass. Feels good to be getting back in the saddle.


JTD

I found this a while back going through some of Dad's stuff .
WRA didn't make much of this , Star Line has probably made as much as they did Remington was the big one . I don't know if it was primed brass or a factory 200 gr LSWC . Dad had stuff all over and little treasures like this in boxes and cans . Attachment 1824

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Originally Posted by Harter

I found this a while back going through some of Dad's stuff .
WRA didn't make much of this , Star Line has probably made as much as they did Remington was the big one . I don't know if it was primed brass or a factory 200 gr LSWC . Dad had stuff all over and little treasures like this in boxes and cans . Attachment 1824

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Cool find.


JTD

I did my last 200 9mm xtreams in 115gr I bought from Wes a couple months ago. Time to place another order.

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Originally Posted by Kevingc76

I did my last 200 9mm xtreams in 115gr I bought from Wes a couple months ago. Time to place another order.

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What powder are you using with them?


JTD

3.8gr of titegroup. It’s a bit high on the charge but my canik would not cycle the 3.5gr loads my brothers glocks like.

I think 3.8 is what I use for 115 and 124 in my XDM. I’m finishing up the last of my 124’s Ive got loaded up, then I’m going to load a mess of 115’s.


JTD

After way too long away from the bench, I’m back. Got my new bench set up and have been doing some long needed brass prep.

I got my 375 whelen and 338-06 brass prepped, tumbled and ready to load.

9.3x62 brass is sized and trimmed, just need to chamfer/debur before it goes in the corn cob.

Ive got 25 out of 200 WW 30-06 range brass, FL sized.

I took my Husqvarna model 46, 9.3x57, and 91 Argentine Mauser, 7.65x53, to the gunsmith. The Husqvarna he is just checking out to make sure everything is good, the Argentine has a crack in the stock that he’s going to pin and glue, then he’s going to properly inlet and bed it.


JTD

Sounds good JTD! I too have been away too long. A lot of demands on my time right now between work, the yard and a pending construction job here at the house. I will get back to it, I have plans to get the Savage BR out this year and work on it again. I have a few bullets that I have not tried and am anxious to see how good the gun, (or these old eyes) can shoot again. What is worse is that I have a new 1911 (my first) in the safe that I haven't even shot yet. This must end, lol.

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

Sounds good JTD! I too have been away too long. A lot of demands on my time right now between work, the yard and a pending construction job here at the house. I will get back to it, I have plans to get the Savage BR out this year and work on it again. I have a few bullets that I have not tried and am anxious to see how good the gun, (or these old eyes) can shoot again. What is worse is that I have a new 1911 (my first) in the safe that I haven't even shot yet. This must end, lol.

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What caliber is your savage BR? What 1911 did you have?

I put a new flat recoil spring in my 1911 last summer, still haven’t tested it for function. It has been so windy here, since it’s warmed up, that I cannot go to the range, I can barely keep my ball cap on my head.


JTD

The BR is in 6mmBR, bought it used at an lgs a few years ago. They knew the guy that had it , he got a knee busted up pretty good and could no longer shoot in the prone position very well. Came with competition Redding dies, a bunch of loaded ammo, and a good amount of brass. I put a Weaver 36x scope on it and I have shot some 5 shot groups in the .20's at 100. Probably as good as this old guy can shoot anymore, but I still like to dream. The 1911 is a Ruger SR1911 in 45, the only caliber that a 1911 should be in. JK, lol.

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Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff

What caliber is your savage BR? What 1911 did you have?

I put a new flat recoil spring in my 1911 last summer, still haven’t tested it for function. It has been so windy here, since it’s warmed up, that I cannot go to the range, I can barely keep my ball cap on my head.


JTD

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

The BR is in 6mmBR, bought it used at an lgs a few years ago. They knew the guy that had it , he got a knee busted up pretty good and could no longer shoot in the prone position very well. Came with competition Redding dies, a bunch of loaded ammo, and a good amount of brass. I put a Weaver 36x scope on it and I have shot some 5 shot groups in the .20's at 100. Probably as good as this old guy can shoot anymore, but I still like to dream. The 1911 is a Ruger SR1911 in 45, the only caliber that a 1911 should be in. JK, lol.

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Oh wow! Awesome rifle. Is it fast or slow twist, do you shoot heavy or light bullets out of it? Ive always dreamed of having a 6BR.

I have only one 1911, I would only ever have a 1911 in 45, but I do understand why some people would want it in smaller calibers. I guess I should never say never, if someone gave me a 9mm 1911, I’d keep it, but if I’m spending money on one, no.

I got 100 of the 200 WW 30-06 range brass sized and trimmed, they are about to come out of the tumbler now.


JTD

It is a 1in8 twist for heavies. Shoots good with Sierra 107's, but when I found the Berger 105 VLD's, it really came into it's own! Then I came across some Clinch River 106's that if I understand correctly are made with the same jacket as the Berger's. It really really likes those, but they are apparently no longer in business and what I have is probably the last I will see. Anyway, Varget is really the only thing I found that shoots so well in it. It is a lot of fun for this "wanna be" benchrest shooter, lol.

Which 1911 do you have JTD? I have always wanted one and I sold my Sig P227 to fund one.
'

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

It is a 1in8 twist for heavies. Shoots good with Sierra 107's, but when I found the Berger 105 VLD's, it really came into it's own! Then I came across some Clinch River 106's that if I understand correctly are made with the same jacket as the Berger's. It really really likes those, but they are apparently no longer in business and what I have is probably the last I will see. Anyway, Varget is really the only thing I found that shoots so well in it. It is a lot of fun for this "wanna be" benchrest shooter, lol.

Which 1911 do you have JTD? I have always wanted one and I sold my Sig P227 to fund one.
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My 1911 is an original Dan Wesson Pointman, from back before CZ bought them. I never looked up the serial number but the originals were made from 1999 until CZ bought them out in 2005. I bought it used in 2008, I got a smoking deal on it. I loved it so much that I found myself never shooting my 4” Kimber Tactical, and sold that Kimber like a big dummy.


JTD

Oh, my! Nice 1911 there! As far as the Kimber, I looked long and hard at Kimber and they had the look I wanted, but the Ruger won out.

Working on test loads for a new caliber, 6mm TCU. Can't wait to try them.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...498acec05a.jpg

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Originally Posted by muforester

Working on test loads for a new caliber, 6mm TCU. Can't wait to try them.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...498acec05a.jpg

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Looking good! Can’t wait to hear how they shoot.


JTD

Those are not yet fire formed, correct? I shoot the 6mm TCU and it is a great cartridge. What gun are you shooting it in?

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Originally Posted by muforester

Working on test loads for a new caliber, 6mm TCU. Can't wait to try them.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...498acec05a.jpg

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

Those are not yet fire formed, correct? I shoot the 6mm TCU and it is a great cartridge. What gun are you shooting it in?

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Correct, they are not fire formed yet. I will be shooting them out of a 15" Encore pistol.

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

Those are not yet fire formed, correct? I shoot the 6mm TCU and it is a great cartridge. What gun are you shooting it in?

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My plan is to deer hunt with it. Any bullet or powder recommendations? So far I have loaded 100gr RN with H335 and 80gr soft points with IMR 4895.

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Originally Posted by muforester

My plan is to deer hunt with it. Any bullet or powder recommendations? So far I have loaded 100gr RN with H335 and 80gr soft points with IMR 4895.

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Mine is a 15" TC Custom Shop barrel on a Contender. I have never hunted deerwith the 6, but do occasionally use the 7mm TCU for deer. My six is used to help control these PA ground hogs and is quite a shooter. Twice I have shot a 5 shot group at 100 yds that measured an honest 5/8". Mine loves IMR 4198, but I am using lighter bullets. I did some work years back with heavier bullets, I'll look at my records to see if I have any data that could help you. Keep us informed on your progress, I'm very interested.

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Originally Posted by Flyeralan

Mine is a 15" TC Custom Shop barrel on a Contender. I have never hunted deerwith the 6, but do occasionally use the 7mm TCU for deer. My six is used to help control these PA ground hogs and is quite a shooter. Twice I have shot a 5 shot group at 100 yds that measured an honest 5/8". Mine loves IMR 4198, but I am using lighter bullets. I did some work years back with heavier bullets, I'll look at my records to see if I have any data that could help you. Keep us informed on your progress, I'm very interested.

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Mine is a stainless 15" Custom shop for the Encore. Kind of an odd caliber for the Encore, but I got a heck of a deal on it. I also have a 7mm TCU. It is a 10" Contender.

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A while back I needed a semi secure storage and emptied an ammo can of 12 ga odds and ends . I picked up a tote and cleared out a couple of shelves ..... Inheritance and my own stash , no need to sweat 209s for 12ga 4 cases of 2-3/4 lead and 3 more in steel and 9 boxes of 3" .

I was thinking I'd have to start shopping for 209s but I "discovered" I'd buried Dad's leftovers , 3000+ . I guess I'll use the 209A Fed in 410 and the HyScores in 16 ga .

As a little bonus I found 500 FC spp also .

That, my friend is a significant discovery. Use them well, lol.

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Originally Posted by Harter

A while back I needed a semi secure storage and emptied an ammo can of 12 ga odds and ends . I picked up a tote and cleared out a couple of shelves ..... Inheritance and my own stash , no need to sweat 209s for 12ga 4 cases of 2-3/4 lead and 3 more in steel and 9 boxes of 3" .

I was thinking I'd have to start shopping for 209s but I "discovered" I'd buried Dad's leftovers , 3000+ . I guess I'll use the 209A Fed in 410 and the HyScores in 16 ga .

As a little bonus I found 500 FC spp also .

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I have a new ProChrono chronograph to try out. Efforts to get a Caldwell going went no place. It took five minutes to get this machine connected to the phone.

I had made a run of 8mm Mauser for a Husqvarna sporter. These will be the first handloads for this rifle. I used 175gr. Sierra spitzers and PPU brass. The charge was a minimum of SW4350. Some 270's rounds were loaded up for the 700 Mountain Rifle. I was using 51 and 52 grs. of SW4350. The bullets 140gr Hornady SST's. The local mall ninja store had maybe a hundred boxes. Anyway, the plan is to take these rifles, rounds and chronograph to the range this weekend.

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Originally Posted by Harter

A while back I needed a semi secure storage and emptied an ammo can of 12 ga odds and ends . I picked up a tote and cleared out a couple of shelves ..... Inheritance and my own stash , no need to sweat 209s for 12ga 4 cases of 2-3/4 lead and 3 more in steel and 9 boxes of 3" .

I was thinking I'd have to start shopping for 209s but I "discovered" I'd buried Dad's leftovers , 3000+ . I guess I'll use the 209A Fed in 410 and the HyScores in 16 ga .

As a little bonus I found 500 FC spp also .

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Great find!


JTD

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Originally Posted by Mowgli Terry

I have a new ProChrono chronograph to try out. Efforts to get a Caldwell going went no place. It took five minutes to get this machine connected to the phone.

I had made a run of 8mm Mauser for a Husqvarna sporter. These will be the first handloads for this rifle. I used 175gr. Sierra spitzers and PPU brass. The charge was a minimum of SW4350. Some 270's rounds were loaded up for the 700 Mountain Rifle. I was using 51 and 52 grs. of SW4350. The bullets 140gr Hornady SST's. The local mall ninja store had maybe a hundred boxes. Anyway, the plan is to take these rifles, rounds and chronograph to the range this weekend.

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Let us know how they do. My 8x57 loves those 175 sierras with 4064.


JTD