|
|
Post by FromTheWoods on May 1, 2016 19:53:42 GMT -7
In our family, we have an 1873 .32 WCF that has a sewer-pipe bore. My youngest son bought it when still a pre-teenager. We had had no experience shooting a rifle that key-holed targets. The first day with that one, we had a harsh lesson. None of the lead bullets would fly straight--not a good day for a youngster who had worked hard and saved up for the rifle. (I'll shorten the story.) We reload: jacketed and lead with a buffer finally worked well, but we continued to search for a cast bullet that would be accurate without using a buffer.
You guessed it. After we had tried several companies' bullets, Daniel sent us a sample of gas-checked bullets. While testing with a couple powders, we found a dandy load--knocked our socks off. Our jacketed and the buffered cast loads were plenty accurate for small game and milk bottle caps up to 70 or so yards. Daniels bullets proved extremely accurate/consistent in the .32-20--someday we will get used to the one hole groups. No need for buffer, and the jacketed supply is gathering dust. The powder we to switched to has a more gentle/better pressure curve for the old '73.
That success opened the gates for moving away from jacketed and buffers in our 1894 Winchesters. In the .32 WS rifles, Bull Shop bullets have become our preferred projectile. Yesterday in testing with the .25-35, those pesky one hole groups showed up again on the targets. I'll be using that combination for hunting deer and elk in the Coast Range this Fall.
My one problem with Bull Shop bullets: I'm running out of calibers/rifles to test--always success when chasing a perfect load with Daniel's bullets.
I'm wondering if my wife will understand the logic of buying more rifles, so I can chase more loads? I see it as a solid plan!
Thank you, Daniel and Tina, for helping those of us who love to shoot and to hit where we are aiming.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 1, 2016 20:38:16 GMT -7
You are ever so welcome my friend! This sort of praise makes my efforts to make good bullets seem worth while. I really do understand the love of the chase in discovering good loads. Any time I get a new rifle I go at developing loads for it with a feverish frenzy until I find loads that make me smile when I look at the target. Once I get there its almost a disappointment because I am then done with that gun. It gets a box of ammo loaded and sighted in for then put away. There it may sit for quite a long time until I maybe get a new mold in that caliber then the fun begins again. Point is that once the chase for the load is over there is not near as much fun to be had with any rifle or hand gun. So you see my friend I do understand exactly what you are saying about getting new old guns to develop loads for. Some loads though seem to transcend individual guns and seem to become THE LOAD for all guns in a particular caliber or chambering. Here is a good example, about 25 years ago I developed a favorite 22 hornet load. Many 22 hornet rifles have come and gone but the load has stayed and has ben a top accuracy load in all. The load is with cast bullets from 48 to 52gn and uses 8.5gn IMR 4227 with a cci# 400 primer put up in RP cases. Any 22 hornet that passes through my hands gets tested with this load and if it wont shoot it well that rifle will be short term at my home. My current 22 hornet is an 1898 Springfield Krag conversion complete with a custom made double set trigger and a Weaver K-6 that I imagin has been in its companion side mount since the scope was new and still looks so. Here is a 3 shot 100 yard group from this rifle and load. The bullet used in the load is the CBE 52gn SPT-GC.  |
|
|
|
Post by FromTheWoods on May 2, 2016 16:52:50 GMT -7
Well, Daniel, it looks as if you and I are excellent candidates for a Regional Reloaders Anonymous (RRA) group. Except, hearing others' load development stories and successes would just result in us having to buy even more guns to scratch the new itches!
That's pretty cool that your .22 Hornet load has suited you for 25 years. It looks as if it is a long-necked, silver-streaking marmot swatter.
Now I get to look up its characteristics--compare them to a daughter in law's .25-20.
Those set-triggers surely are nice to use. Back in the early '70's when a teenager, I traded four guns for a .50 Thompson Center Hawken--the gun seller did a great fleecing job on me. I still have that rifle, so maybe the 40+ years of shooting enjoyment have leveled out the money scales. That Hawken is the first rifle I shot that had a set-trigger. Certainly helps the shooting grins. My .222 has a set also. And if I were sleeping on a mattress stuffed with money, I'd be buying a safe and crowding it with old Winchesters with set triggers. They come in single-set and close-coupled pairs (but I'd still try to be happy with them.) Were you able to build your set for the Hornet, or did a gunsmith use a bit of magic?
I'll be thinking of you in the Roost, testing bullets with the help of those furry assistants.
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 9, 2016 20:27:34 GMT -7
Those one hole groups really can be a pain. Takes all the fun right out of it. I've got a couple guns that will shoot cast pretty well, and the one I am working with now is no exception.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 9, 2016 21:30:27 GMT -7
Hello my name is Daniel and I am a reloadaholic.
I hate those one hole groups because they just waste so much of the target. When I shoot there is no wasted target I use up the whole thing.
My only one hole groups are fired using the less conventional one shot strings.
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 9, 2016 22:02:29 GMT -7
Hello my name is Daniel and I am a reloadaholic. I hate those one hole groups because they just waste so much of the target. When I shoot there is no wasted target I use up the whole thing. My only one hole groups are fired using the less conventional one shot strings. Not sure if those are NRA certified, but they work. |
|
|
|
Post by missionary on May 10, 2016 6:31:26 GMT -7
Greetings
Any target you can see well is certifiable. Been using the "upside down T" for some years as the eyes slowly get too well used.
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 10, 2016 8:37:04 GMT -7
I have a fire sight on the front of the 358. When I was shooting it the other day, I was having good my best luck by drawing a large black Ring, and setting my front sight to where I could be red with a even amount of black all the way around.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 13:23:55 GMT -7
Is your .348 a Windychester Model 71?
Inquiring minds would like to know what bullet weight you're using and if allowable to ask, the powder and what velocity you're obtaining?
thank u
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 10, 2016 16:40:10 GMT -7
That was supposed to say 358. I thought air had gone back and changed it, but air guess my phone had other ideas.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 10, 2016 16:45:35 GMT -7
I'm your huckleberry! I have some 348 win loads tucked away somewhere. Of the several designs I have available for the 348 Win my favorite is the NEI 240gn fngc. Runners up are the NEI 250gn rngc and the Rapine 250gn fngc.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 21:29:43 GMT -7
I was able to provide a new home for a Model 71 that had set in a closet not being used, since the early 1970's...with a 'pile' of ammo, dies, unprimed brass and 6 boxes of Hornady 200 gr bullets. I'm the second owner, the original owner having bought it new in 1955. Model 71's have such a smooth action, feels 'bout like there's melted butter in there! Hadn't figured on it coming into my life, but by golly, what a fine example of a classic old hunting rifle... Will see what all comes about with this '71? The 240gr cast bullet has me thinking (oh no!!).
"The .348 has the appeal of a classic muscle car but at the same time, it has a practical element to it, the potential to be a solid working hack for the bush hunter."
Sure glad Spring is here along the Continental Divide . . . hardly noticed the 7+" of snow that has fallen in the past 2 days!! It's suppose to be in the high 50's to low 60's in a couple of days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 11, 2016 6:41:32 GMT -7
I went through a 348 phase some time ago. I was able to have for use several originals and several of the Browning re makes. All shot about the same with full power cast bullet loads holding about 3 moa with the original sights. Sometimes a bit better but I think about 3 moa was about average.
The model 71 Winchester just as the model 1886 it was based on is not a small gun and that had some effect on my thinking on the rifle cartridge combination.
Staying with the flavor of the lever action eventually I was won over by the much lighter weight of the Browning BLR paired with the more powerful 358 Win cartridge. The fact that the 358 Win and I share the same year of birth rather endeared it to me as well.
Being the practical type I am or perhaps was at one time I just couldn't continue to carry a much heavier rifle that could only house a less powerful cartridge so went the way of the BLR 358 Win.
Eventually stupidity must have replaced practicality because now I have neither and daily suffer gun traders remorse.
How does that saying go, "too soon old and too late smart" Yup I have that!
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 11, 2016 8:28:44 GMT -7
But you do have a 86 in 50 AK. Where does that fit into the power to weight ratio?
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 11, 2016 8:36:23 GMT -7
That fits into the " gun barer " class
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 15:26:51 GMT -7
Going with a re-bore up to .50 caliber years ago sounds like planning ahead for old age - in creating a lighter weight rifle for
them senior years (.50 lighter than a .45 hole in the barrel)!!
Ya sure pulled that wool over our eyes for all these many years!! Clever, yup, right clever...
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on May 11, 2016 15:45:54 GMT -7
I thought many times about getting a .348. Never did as I have a 33 Winchester in a model 86made about 1922 that does right well.
But also have a jap 86 in 45-70 heading out to JES when I get north next month to be opened up to 50AK. Those 26 inch octagon tubes make for a heavy caliber 45 rifle. Nice for cross stick shooting though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 11, 2016 17:17:15 GMT -7
"Clever, yup, right clever..."
Yes a visionary don't ya think
Actually I was meaning factory chamberings. There was a time not too long ago when re barreling or re boring was far less available and far more monetarily unattainable at least for me. Weave come a long way baby!
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 11, 2016 19:39:50 GMT -7
"Clever, yup, right clever..." Yes a visionary don't ya think Actually I was meaning factory chamberings. There was a time not too long ago when re barreling or re boring was far less available and far more monetarily unattainable at least for me. Weave come a long way baby! A bolt action 50 AK? that should be quite a beast. |
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 11, 2016 20:19:00 GMT -7
Don't you remember splitting firewood in Alaska with the 50 AK on a Siamese Mauser? 700gn bullets at 1800 fps did a good job on those big knots.
|
|
|
|
Post by Junior on May 11, 2016 22:12:28 GMT -7
I remember doing it with the Ruger #1 in 45/70, but no Siamese 50 AK.
|
|
major
Bullet Head
Posts: 4
|
Post by major on Jun 6, 2018 10:47:18 GMT -7
In our family, we have an 1873 .32 WCF that has a sewer-pipe bore. My youngest son bought it when still a pre-teenager. We had had no experience shooting a rifle that key-holed targets. The first day with that one, we had a harsh lesson. None of the lead bullets would fly straight--not a good day for a youngster who had worked hard and saved up for the rifle. (I'll shorten the story.) We reload: jacketed and lead with a buffer finally worked well, but we continued to search for a cast bullet that would be accurate without using a buffer. You guessed it. After we had tried several companies' bullets, Daniel sent us a sample of gas-checked bullets. While testing with a couple powders, we found a dandy load--knocked our socks off. Our jacketed and the buffered cast loads were plenty accurate for small game and milk bottle caps up to 70 or so yards. Daniels bullets proved extremely accurate/consistent in the .32-20--someday we will get used to the one hole groups. No need for buffer, and the jacketed supply is gathering dust. The powder we to switched to has a more gentle/better pressure curve for the old '73. ............! Thank you, Daniel and Tina, for helping those of us who love to shoot and to hit where we are aiming.
New to the Forum, but not quite so new to Bullshop
Your Post peaked my interest ...because I also have a 73 in 32-20 (32WCF) My Bore however is fair to good with strong rifling.
I have two bullets I use...1. is Lead RNFP High-tech coated .313- 115 grain w/ light compressed APP 2. Is a BP lubed RNFP .314- 125gr. w/ 3fff KiK .
Both shoot quite well with 3" groups at 50 yards ( the 125 grained BP bullet prints a bit higher... |
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Jun 6, 2018 13:17:49 GMT -7
Welcome Major ! Or should I say Major, Sir . 3F KIK in your 32-20 is interesting. What kind of velocity do you get with 3F BP in the 32 ? What do you think of the KIK powder ? I bought a case of 2F about 5 years ago and just started using it. They were saying on some BP forums at the time that it was shooting much like Swiss 1 1/2 for velocity with soft fouling. So far I like it but we have been having high humidity. Later on when it gets dry with humidity in the single digits or teens we will see how it acts.
|
|
major
Bullet Head
Posts: 4
|
Post by major on Jun 7, 2018 1:33:47 GMT -7
I suppose I should, purchase a Chronograph  I can say I get 13 grains of KiK under the 125 grain Big Lube bullet from Springfield Slim in the 32/20 Winchester KiK is cleaner that Goex and Elephant ( of which I still have a little ). |
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Jun 7, 2018 7:28:00 GMT -7
I would take a WAG at about 1300 fps as most BP cartridges with full power loads of BP seem to be very close to that + or - a little. 1300 fps always seems to be a velocity range for accuracy with cast bullets with any powder black or smokeless.
|
|
|
|
Post by hoosiercub on Dec 31, 2018 10:25:07 GMT -7
Hello, Just have to add a comment regarding the first two posts in this thread about casting/reloading. I worked in a neat old gun shop in the late 60s - 70s and early 80s. Great owners and wonderful customers. In the early 70s one customer a Brain Surgeon Doctor would come in every one to two months and could spend 3 - 6 hours going through the more than 100 moulds that we usually had on hand. After perusing the several drawers of used and new moulds he would purchase two or three of them or maybe he would purchase a dozen or more. Then Doc would be back in a few weeks or a couple months with all of the moulds. He would have poured bullets with all of the moulds and then chose the ONE that he really took a fancy too. He would trade all of the moulds except the one special one, then we were put to work trying to find a rifle that "might" hopeful "would" shoot that bullet really well. And of course while we tried to find the "right" rifle Doc was again going through the drawers of moulds to select his next batch. His story was that even though liked shooting the rifles and really enjoyed learning all he could about each one, the real enjoyment was coming home from the hospital, having his evening meal with the family then if nothing else would require his time that evening he would go to his gun room and spend the evening loading ammo and of course pouring bullets. That was his "unwinding" for the day. Best regards, Tim
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Dec 31, 2018 10:39:30 GMT -7
Howdy Hoosiercub
That is an interesting tale. Had never thought about going in that direction to come up with a shooting combination.
Been doing it the other way.. See some odd unique caliber that no one seems interested in and latch on to it and get it on the range.
It is the simple joy of having one that works and shoots straight that makes it all worth while.
Our last this past summer up north there was a 44 Frank Wesson 2nd model... What a fine old single shot to haul about the woods edges and bottoms looking for groundhogs and other pesky hole diggers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Dec 31, 2018 13:24:38 GMT -7
It is an addiction but a simple pleasure as well. That mention of "something no one else wants" just adds to the allure. My current obsession is the little Stevens model 44 in 32 S&W long. The frosting on the cake with this one is that even if my annual shooting budget was only $50.00 with a little focused scrounging I could still shoot it all year long. That is the case with many of the old low pressure cartridges that their hunger for powder is easily satisfied with minuscule charges of fast burning powder. Catching and recycling your bullets is another way to keep shooting on a mini budget. Maybe when our weather changes for the better I can get a few pictures of my bullet trap and show how I do it. My way of doing things is usually a bit different than the right way or even the wrong way for that matter.
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Jan 1, 2019 6:56:00 GMT -7
Good morning and may your this year be Blessed by God !
Catching our lead is done by doing the bulk of our shooting into the same sand bank at "our range" up the mountain. About every 3 months I take the small scoop and dig out the lead and smelt it down and recast. The lead that gets "lost" in other areas gets replaced by picking up wheel weights when ever they show up. Usually big truck weights are what I see when cruising about on a 2 wheeler. But do find a few off and on in the large parking lots about our bid city.
If we lived out of the city a trap would be an aid.
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Jan 1, 2019 6:57:41 GMT -7
And for splitting wood with a 50 AK with 525 grainers... it will do it ! I do not know of much that can stop those big slugs chugging along at 1850 fps.
|
|
