Range time

[JReed]

Had some beautifull weather yesterday so grabed the rolling block and headed to the range to make some smoke and test some loads.

First observation. Shooting stuff is fun, second shooting bp guns while surounded by the AR/AK crowed is a riot, lastbut not least have in your 15yr old talk about how much cooler p guns are then the AR/AK crowd

So I was testing a bullet that a friend sent me to try in this ole girl. He sent me 50 of the Saeco 645 ao loaded them up. Started at 70gr of Goex 2f then 72.5, 75, 77.5, and 80gr increments. Winchester fire formed brass, WLR primers, Circle Fly .02 wads, and SPG lube. All powder charges slow poured through a 30in drop tube and compressed to allow the bullet to just touch the lands. What I got was shot gun patterns @ 100 yards. Out of 30 rounds fired 6 hit the target this rifle will hold 2in at 100 sing the lee 5003R cast by me with pure lead so I was a bit confused. Range closed so packed up and headed home feeling down about my shooting and the loads that I had spent much time loading to the best of my meager ablities.

So get back to the house and get to cleaning the rifle. First soapy patch comes out black so followed it up with 4 more soapy patches to get all the coal out then moved to dry patches. First dry patch comes out grey with chunks of lead on it. next 20 all come out with lead lead on them. Finnaly got it cleaned up after aton of patching. So get ahold of my friend and ask him what his alloy is straight wheel weights.

Leasons learned. This gun doesnt like wheel weights from what I can tell they didnt bump up and seal the freebore allowing hot gas to blow by and make a mess of the bore. The other thing I learned was Dawn Platinum Erasing Dish Foam will clean the crap ofout of a dirty gun. Every time I thought the bore was clean I pushed another patch soaked in water and this stuff down the bore and more lead would come out. I also used it to wash my brass and it clean in and out after a short trip through the tumbler. Think i just found my new havorite bp cleaner.

So I still think the bullet will work out just need to get it n a softer mix. Shooting stuff is fun. Spending time with your kids is priceless.

[JReed]

I did some thinking after I wrote this ( dangerous thing to do) the bullets I recievd to test mic'd out at .458 the ones I cast for the Lee mold come out .459. Here is the fun part my fired case mouths are .460. So... think the problem is hard bullets coupled with a generous chamber equal leading and poor accuracy. Duh! Got to love when you occasionally have to re-teach your self old leasons haha. So I took a look over at BACO and they list having this mold in .460 may have to place an order.

[Don McDowell]

Yes wheelweight bullets will lead terribly if, they are to small..
But sounds like a good time otherwise.

[JReed]

It was once I got over being frustrated by the poor accuracy. The gents that run the range were all standing around me asking questions. The owner didn't believe me at first when I told him it was a 45. All the originals he had seen were 43 Spanish. Of course being a Marine town there were a bunch of Marines there with their families all shooting stopped after I fired the second round. Looked up and the entire range was just starring at me with there mouths hanging open haha.

[Don McDowell]

Well you'll show em next time.. There is supposed to be a bptr creedmoor match at Quantico this year.

[JReed]

Do you know when?

Oh I know she will shoot. Just have to get a bullet that she will like.

[Don McDowell]

Not sure of the date, but I think it might be listed following that national match schedule link that Kurt posted the other day.

[JReed]

I will check it out. Bit of a drive but we shall see.

[Don McDowell]

I'll be sure and post it up , when anything firm comes up on it.

[JReed]

Thanks. Would you happen to know if they would use the same ammo restrictions as Raton I.e. bullet weight and velocity?