One thing I have never owned and need to, a lever action rifle. I also love the sharper shoulder and case capacity on the 284, another caliber that always intrigued me. Let me know how that rifle shoots for you.
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One thing I have never owned and need to, a lever action rifle. I also love the sharper shoulder and case capacity on the 284, another caliber that always intrigued me. Let me know how that rifle shoots for you.
The 284 Winchester won’t reach its full potential in a short action lever gun, but it will be plenty good enough for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
The savage 99’s are a favorite of mine. I would love to own a Winchester 88 at some point also.
JTD
I got out some of Dad's stuff today his old Pacific marked Hornady red press and the steel 45 ACP/AR dies . I'm a bit disappointed in the care taking of the press . It's only been out of service in it's shipping box about 30 yr . I loaded some of Dad's 25-06' and some 7×57 when I was 13 or 14 on it . Dad's been gone about 4 years now .
Anyway it took a while to get all the moving parts and pivots wetted back slick . When it did I was in about 250-300 pieces of 45 Auto Rim . Did 500 size and decap . I'll do the flair another day I guess .
Working on an older press and some 45 AR .
Turns out there's 603 of them . One step at a time all decapped last time , tumbled . Now they're all belled . I got 10 in them with primers so good score there . I have to cast some bullets I don't have 600+ 45 cal anything on hand . 1000-1500# of lead just no bullets . Fortunately that doesn't take any longer than getting 600 cases ready to go .
How’s everybody been? Haven’t heard from anybody in awhile. Ive been working too much and not getting much loading done.
Ive got a mess of test loads I made up over the summer and now that the weather has started to cool off I’m hoping to get to the range and get ready for deer season.
JTD
Ive been getting ready for hunting season, testing loads and sighting rifles in. I’ve been working on a load for my Ruger No1 9.3x74R with H4350 and PRVI 285gr SP. I’m going to test seating depths this weekend. I found a nice load for my Marlin 1895G 45/70 with 400gr Speer FP and IMR3031. It’s been interesting getting used to the scout scope configuration on that rifle, going to sight it in this weekend. My Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor is ready to go with 140gr SST and W760. I’m still playing with my new Savage99 in 284 Winchester. So far I’ve got nothing good enough to hunt with, but then again Ive only tried different 145gr grand slams with IMR4350, I think I will try some Hornady 139gr interlocks next. The kids rifles just need to be sighted in, Big Nate’s 30-06 is with 150gr Hornady BTSP over IMR4064, and Matthew’s 7x57 is with 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips over IMR4064.
JTD
Finally put together a good load for my dad's CZ 550 in .243 Winchester. He has barely shot the gun and never hunted with it. These are 90gr Speer Hot-Cor over A4064. I may end up hunting with it instead of him.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4608ce2555.jpg
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I finished up the 45 AR , did 880 SP 45 ACP also .
I got this bright idea I'd consolidate a couple of open crates into ammo cans . In case it ever comes up 4 cases of 12 ga 2-3/4 will fit in a 30mm/fat 20mmo can .
I topped off a second 20 mm can with boxes and trays which turned out to to be a good thing because I was running out of loading/stock/count trays . "Found" 35 more boxed 00B too.
I have an ice chest from the move that I need to go through, sort and bag but at least I can get to it now .
I don't think I'm enjoying the hunt here ......I guess I'm allergic to something in the hardwoods . Figures I'd get to hunting heaven and be allergic to it . :)
It's cooling off I can probably get some casting done I need a couple 1000 of 2-3 different 45 pistols and a couple 100 ea of 2-3 45 rifles , 25,26,27, 28 ,30 ,and 32 rifle bullets are needing 2-300 of 2-3 of each of those too .
Yeah maybe I should just stick to sorting the brass out first .
I hope you hunt with it. I’m curious to see the bullet performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by muforester
JTD
Where are you at that is murdering your allergies like that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
You do have a lot of casting to do, I’d stick to the sorting and bagging for now also.
I dread if I ever have to move. The rest of the house will be easy, the guns, loading equipment, components, and ammo will be a nightmare.
JTD
Ive got all my hunting ammo loaded and rifles sighted in.
Ive got a couple more test loads made up for my Siamese Mauser in 45-70. 325gr FTX with IMR3031 and AA2015. Ive had “OK” luck so far, but am hoping for better.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...df911381ab.jpg
JTD
Attachment 1837
Some of the stuff from the ice chest the assorted FC on the bottom is an example of close but not sorted by headstamp . The top stuff is just cool to have knocking around.
I can’t make out anything except one ww super 30-06Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
JTD
Win super , Rem UMC 30 Springfield, FC 55 Match , DM 41 , FA 42 and others . The crop didn't do me any favors .......
In other happenings about the bench .
I've cast 465 of these and have 450 ready to load .
9# of H&G #130s .
The mould was made by Hensley and Gibbs in Oregon circa 1986 and came to be in my possession at a Big Reno Show in 2017 . It was a mess , light to moderate rust all over and 8 bullets and the sprue left in it . The handles were original to it but dry rotted . Well the rust turned out to be just enough to obscure the name and number on the outside. The handles were replaced, although not quite long enough .
It's supposed to cast a 185 gr SWC but my example drops 196 gr . 300 of the little gems now lubed and ready to load . 195.8-196.7 . Over or under they have obvious defects. That's just .52% variation on an 8 cavity mould .
45 Auto Rim I think this go , Red Dot , Unique , or Herco .
Attachment 1838
Those are cool rounds to have around. Ive got a few cool odds and ends laying around too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
I love red dot in 45. Light and soft shooting.
JTD
I might try that this time .
Cast , gas checked , sized and lubed about 150 7mm-168s .
I know they are soft but they're just a breath away from 180 .
What are you going to load those 7mm cast bullets in?Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
JTD
7×57 . Savage 110LH 24" barrel . They tip in almost 180 gr , I need 1900 fps to get my life long bench mark of 1000 ftlb @100 yd . It shouldn't be any trouble at all in the 24" barrel .
I need to get a package of decapping pins for the Lyman dies as that one was broken at some point . It must have been a hassle then to get them as I have a Lee size die in the box ........ I have the headspace pretty tight on this one formed brass is heavy hard cam to lock the bolt . New circa 1970 Winchester brass goes easy but I had a bunch of formed brass from an 08 Oviedo I wanted to use for R&D . I formed a 270 case to find the mouth for sure and it is where it's supposed to be but that case required a firm bump and hard cam to get it closed . I'm getting the feeling this is a tight chamber from ER Shaw and my tight HS isn't helping. I have 2 in 7×57 the other has more room in the Addams and Bennett barrel on the 1916 DWM Berlin Gew 98 with the Jeager trigger .
The Savage and I have been friends a long time, the 98 was just a project I picked up cheap that needed a barrel . "Just won't shoot any more" , wholey crap I guess not the 280 B Square fired neck will take a .301 . That might be a problem.
Let me know if you achieve you 1900fps goal.
JTD
Attachment 1839
Unique and IMR 4831 .
Those look awesome. I’ll be looking forward to a range report when you get to shoot them.
JTD
Attachment 1840
First go with a rifle completely disturbed. .
I take full responsibility for 1" because, well I ain't hardly pulled a trigger in a year . This is a transfer composite overlay target .
There a / of 8 , the 287-150 NOE over 6.? Unique exclusively used to form the FC 59 Match formed brass and ensure the barrel and scope are pointed at the same place . 25 yd .
There is a group of 5 higher and one below the / group that are with 9.0 Unique with the 7mm-168 @179gr and about 1320 fps . I made a vertical adjustment of about 6" down at 100 and shot the balance at 50 yd.
The next group of 5 is 10.5 gr Unique and clocked 1400 fps . For practical application and my personal faults there's no practical difference in groups . This load showed a little possible sizing fouling that cleaned up with the last load .
The triangle with 2 almost touching at the top is 38.0 of IMR 4831 2030 MV . Made my target velocity and 100 yd energy number .
Barrel temp , being the last string , may play a role here as 2 holes almost touching were after I hauled about 8 gallons of water up for a wasted 48 qt cube cooler to catch a bullet :) . Yeah that didn't happen there was however a larger than .300 hole in the cooler foam and most of the wall ruptured. I guess I need a longer water tank . It would suggest that inside of 100 yd I don't want to hit a heavy bone going in and the life functions in the chest cavity will be severely compromised . Subjectively of course, it was 2" of foam encased in plastic with 12 gallons of water inside an 18" basin so you know maybe of no value .
It's weird the such diverse loads shot groups so similar. I may have to run a bunch of 270-150s in paper through the beast and try again. I'm encouraged by the 4831 . There's not enough cross section to see growing or shrinking groups but the system should be settled in now and I have a definite starting place .
Outstanding! That 4831 load seems like it would be devastating on whatever it hits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
JTD
Lots of work to do . 3" at 100 is huge .
But it’s a start. I bet you will be able to shrink it up. What is your accuracy goal?
JTD
The goal is always a .500 hole for 10 rounds , I'll take MOA for 5 , and if 1.5 is all it'll do then it's not all bad and certainly good enough for hogs inside 100 yd .
I find that I set different accuracy goals for different rifles. I always want the best, but am willing to accept defeat if I don’t think the rifle is up to it. If I don’t feel comfortable shooting at a critter up to 100yards away with a particular load, then I keep trying.
JTD
I wrote 3" at 100 those were at 50 yd .
Ah! Ok. Now I agree, you’ve got your work cut out for you.
JTD
I havent been on for a while. Here is one thing I have been working on, 6mm TCU. Did a few test loads and settled on 90gr Speer Hot-Cor over IMR 4895. Hopefully get to deer hunt with ithttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...01971e14ab.jpg
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This is my favorite chambering in the Contender. I have a 15" TC Custom Shop barrel for my Contender and it is an amazing shooter. What are you shooting this great caliber in?
Quote:
Originally Posted by muforester
Also, the cartridges in the photo are yet to be fire-formed, correct? The shoulder is not sharp enough for the 6 TCU.
Quote:
Originally Posted by muforester
Those look like miniature ICBM’s with those long bullets.
JTD
Correct, they were not fire-formed yet. My fire-forming loads were very accurate. Can't wait to shoot the fire-formed loads.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
I am shooting them in a 15" TC Custom shop Encore barrel.
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Do you happen to know what the twist is in that barrel? Mine is certainly better with the lighter bullets.
Not sure what the twist is, I will have to check.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
I would like to shoot a lighter bullet. Any suggestions on a lighter bullet that could still be used for whitetail deer?
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I guess I've always considered the 6 too small to be greatly effective on whitetail. Mine does great on groundhogs with the Nosler 70gn Ballistic tips. Perhaps be ok, but if you can move a heavier BT to open up effectively, I'd recommend the 90gn or so. At 90gn, fps is crucial because of the short barrel, you should really use a chronograph to confirm you are reaching the velocity to open effectively. In the 85-90 grain range there is a large selection of great bullets available from many manufacturers, the trick is, you've got to move them fast enough to open up. I hope this helps some, but the twist will help determine what weight you can get stabilized.
During hunting season I don’t usually get any reloading done, but I found a little time this weekend to process some PPU 6.5x55 range brass I acquired this past spring. FL sized, trimmed, chamfered and deburred. It’s ready for the tumbler. I use the PPU brass in my baikal O/U 12ga/6.5x55.
JTD
6mm the 100 Sierra GK wasn't a good choice for 243 on mule deer . Degrees of dead I suppose but a dime exit didn't make me all warm and fuzzy especially at only 80 yd . I would suggest a 90 gr SP or SPBT maybe a bonded core but not anything more than that .
I feel the same way. Ive killed animals with less than spectacular bullet performance. Some people say dead is dead. I say to hell with that bullet. That reminds me of the 90lb whitetail doe I shot with 185gr Remington core lokt in an 8x57. Shot was at 65yds, muzzle velocity around 2600fps. Bullet hit a rib on the way in and lodged under the skin on the other side. The recovered bullet was 63gr. The doe died but I’ll never use that bullet again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harter
JTD