Post by Bullshop on Apr 18, 2019 17:58:35 GMT -7
Since setting the date for the Billy Dixon shoot this year I have started again in preparation for that event. The 1874 Sharps 45-90 has come out of hibernation as the chosen vessel once again. Have so far made two trips to the steel buffalo but ran into complications. Last year I spent a considerable amount of time in logging sight settings for the six different ranges that the course of fire will require, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1500 yards. This year I have been unable to locate that log data --- BUMMER --- MAJOR BUMMER !!!!
Just why the data is not in my log book for the 45-90 is something of a mystery because I am quite anal about keeping notes and ballistic data for every rifle I shoot and each has its own folder to store data, perplexing !!! On arriving on our first run I had not a clue on what sight settings should be so took a wag. After a few shots gone undetected for hits we decided to try something else. We have a different smaller steel target set at 600 yards which made it easier to spot this hits (misses) and make corrections. From there we were able to get on at 800 so things were then set in motion.
Anyway I have decided to try a different bullet and load this year. Last year I settled on a 530gn smooth paper patch with a charge of 27gn of Alliant #410 powder and a RP 91/2 mag primer. The only thing I am staying with from that load this year is the primer. I am going to a greaser bullet the RCBS BPS 500gn spitzer because my rifle has a 1/20" twist rifling rate and I felt that with longer bullets at the 1500 yard range things may have been getting a little squirrely with stability. The RCBS bullet has proven to be a very accurate bullet at lesser ranges but time will tell how it will hold up for the Billy Dixon shot.
My load from last year was giving a bit more extreme velocity spread than desired at about 30 ish fps so I decided to try the load I used at the Quigley match the one time I was able to make it there. For that event I was shooting a Browning 1885 in 45-70 so had to modify the load slightly for the 45-90 case I am shooting now. In the 45-70 case I was getting extreme velocity spreads in the single digits and is exactly what is needed for the really long shots. With a little bench time I was able to tweak the load to be suitable to the 45-2 4/10" case. The load I settled on is put up in FL sized cases and has a 3gn kicker charge of Alliant #410 on the primer and a 51gn main charge of WC-870 powder. This load is averaging right at 1300 fps with very low ES.
Anyone interested in this type of loading can find WC-870 From Jeff Bartlett at G I brass for about $70.00 per 8 lb jug. I have purchased a lot of powder from Jeff over the years and have always been satisfied with his service.
My shooting partner and I made a second run to the steel buffalo this AM and were able to dial in 900 and 1000 yards. We re-paint the target for each range so that hits show up clearly and without question. I managed to remember to bring a camera today so we can include some photographic evidence that we are making progress. The pic with my pard pointing out the hits is 900 yards and the other is 1000.
This AM was a beautiful warm sunny spring morning free of any wind, an absolutely perfect morning for shooting. Something I have noticed here is that the time of day and weather conditions will play a large roll in how well the shooting goes. Clear skies and bright sun may not be the best condition for best visibility of the target. Angle of the sun is also a factor in just how well one can see that distant target through that tiny peep hole. For my vision what for me has been the best condition is slightly overcast skies. That condition for me has offered the best contrast between target and surroundings.
So in summary we have now re-recorded sight settings for 800, 900, and 1000 yards. We still have to log in 1100, 1200, and that magical distant Chieftain at 1500 yards. There is still plenty of time , I hope to get ready.
I also wanted to mention that for anyone that does plan to attend if you care to show up a day or two early to work on sight settings that will be OK and that my loading equipment is available to re-load your brass for the match. See ya there !!! BTW if you click on the pics they will enlarge
Just why the data is not in my log book for the 45-90 is something of a mystery because I am quite anal about keeping notes and ballistic data for every rifle I shoot and each has its own folder to store data, perplexing !!! On arriving on our first run I had not a clue on what sight settings should be so took a wag. After a few shots gone undetected for hits we decided to try something else. We have a different smaller steel target set at 600 yards which made it easier to spot this hits (misses) and make corrections. From there we were able to get on at 800 so things were then set in motion.
Anyway I have decided to try a different bullet and load this year. Last year I settled on a 530gn smooth paper patch with a charge of 27gn of Alliant #410 powder and a RP 91/2 mag primer. The only thing I am staying with from that load this year is the primer. I am going to a greaser bullet the RCBS BPS 500gn spitzer because my rifle has a 1/20" twist rifling rate and I felt that with longer bullets at the 1500 yard range things may have been getting a little squirrely with stability. The RCBS bullet has proven to be a very accurate bullet at lesser ranges but time will tell how it will hold up for the Billy Dixon shot.
My load from last year was giving a bit more extreme velocity spread than desired at about 30 ish fps so I decided to try the load I used at the Quigley match the one time I was able to make it there. For that event I was shooting a Browning 1885 in 45-70 so had to modify the load slightly for the 45-90 case I am shooting now. In the 45-70 case I was getting extreme velocity spreads in the single digits and is exactly what is needed for the really long shots. With a little bench time I was able to tweak the load to be suitable to the 45-2 4/10" case. The load I settled on is put up in FL sized cases and has a 3gn kicker charge of Alliant #410 on the primer and a 51gn main charge of WC-870 powder. This load is averaging right at 1300 fps with very low ES.
Anyone interested in this type of loading can find WC-870 From Jeff Bartlett at G I brass for about $70.00 per 8 lb jug. I have purchased a lot of powder from Jeff over the years and have always been satisfied with his service.
My shooting partner and I made a second run to the steel buffalo this AM and were able to dial in 900 and 1000 yards. We re-paint the target for each range so that hits show up clearly and without question. I managed to remember to bring a camera today so we can include some photographic evidence that we are making progress. The pic with my pard pointing out the hits is 900 yards and the other is 1000.
This AM was a beautiful warm sunny spring morning free of any wind, an absolutely perfect morning for shooting. Something I have noticed here is that the time of day and weather conditions will play a large roll in how well the shooting goes. Clear skies and bright sun may not be the best condition for best visibility of the target. Angle of the sun is also a factor in just how well one can see that distant target through that tiny peep hole. For my vision what for me has been the best condition is slightly overcast skies. That condition for me has offered the best contrast between target and surroundings.
So in summary we have now re-recorded sight settings for 800, 900, and 1000 yards. We still have to log in 1100, 1200, and that magical distant Chieftain at 1500 yards. There is still plenty of time , I hope to get ready.
I also wanted to mention that for anyone that does plan to attend if you care to show up a day or two early to work on sight settings that will be OK and that my loading equipment is available to re-load your brass for the match. See ya there !!! BTW if you click on the pics they will enlarge
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