I hit the range today...

[cwlongshot]

I had wanted to shoot a couple 22s indoors and since we went out coyote hunting this AM we where dressed for the weather. SO I also grabbed a couple handis and some handloads.

First up was my 223 I was using for the song dogs. I had a good load with AA BR2015 powder...only problem all I had was about 8 bullets loaded and no more of that powder. I loaded up some of my favorite load of H322 powder and a 50G SX bullet. One shot with the BR2015 powder hit 3/4" lo at 50yards and dead center. (Its sited about 1" high at 100 so this is correct.) I fired 3 rounds into the berm and settled in for some groups. I fired four groups of three shots each into the target. The biggest group was about 3/8" I guess I have another 223 that likes my recipe!!

Next was the 500. Most of you know of my flyer problems with this one. Well I added a heavier spring on the latch. I was hoping this was my problem. I still have flyers... But I need to check my notes because I was able to shoot inside 2" at 50 yards. The flyers are only a couple inches out of the group. Now I was shooting older loads, meaning I shot them and rejected them for accuracy. 5 different bullets and 4 different powders. (440 cast, 350 XTP Mag, 385 rem, 350 Sierra and 500 XTP. Then Lil gun, H4227, Trail Boss and XMP5744.)

My 440 and 5744 loads that have been my most consistent where OK. But not stellar. Don't get me wrong, all these loads would have killed a deer at this range. I just have a problem with shooting a scoped rifle, from a bench rest, on a calm day shooting at only 50 yards. Not being able to touch or nearly touch bullets just seems wrong.
I don't know whats next for this one.... I like the idea of the 500, but have no use for a non good shooting gun! I guess its time for the hack saw... I'll chop it to 18" and see if it responds positively.

Last and not least was my shorty 357maxi. I had shot it a bit and had some problems with severely off center firing pin strikes and some miss fires. I hadn't swapped in a Wolff spring and I refit the barrel to allow it to sit deeper in the receiver. I'm still not centered, but with the other things I have done I had 100% ignition.
Somehow I didn't bring the AA1680/180 SSP load?!?!  I had a couple others and did bring a new loading with IMR 4227 and a Remington 180 HP bullet seated as long as possible.  (.250 in the case) I loaded 20, 20.5 and 21Gr's. The 20 G load shot almost in the same hole!! the 21 was good too, but about 3/4" and the 20.5 load was over an inch.
I shot some 170GD loads with AA160 powder and they where only so-so at about an inch. A old loading with 296 and a 158 XTP FP bullet went just under an inch and was quite loud!! This is now a 17" barrel so I am still getting used to that. They hit about 3" lo from the others, indicating they where moving a bit quicker.

In the non handi category, I shot a new to me Sig P220. I have always been impressed with the Sig sauer pistols. This is my first time shooting the single action p220. Its a great shooter!!  I was able to consistently shoot 2" groups at 25 yards off hand. No problems with three different loads. I'll never give up my 1911..but I could really get to like this new Sig!!

CW

[Hit or Miss]

Sounds like a good day to me!  I may shoot a few from the BC later, it's warming up a little and melting the ice now!  In leiu of shooting I have been making cinnamon rolls and minding the smoker, I need to get a couple of more chickens done for the SIL's KLETC graduation party next Friday.  Also have a pork butt on for me too!

[cwlongshot]

Sounds like a good day to me!  I may shoot a few from the BC later, it's warming up a little and melting the ice now!  In leiu of shooting I have been making cinnamon rolls and minding the smoker, I need to get a couple of more chickens done for the SIL's KLETC graduation party next Friday.  Also have a pork butt on for me too!

What times dinner.. Sounds delicious...I'll bring some beer and wine!!! 

CW

[bikerbeans]

CW,

Sounds like a good day at the range.  I like the idea of a 500 shorty, now that will be loud!

BTW,  if you have a Weber, all you need is a whole pork butt (front shoulder actually), 250 to 275 F, indirect  heat, 50%/50% beer/apple juice in a squirt bottle, and your favority meat rub and you are set to go.  Cook until meat is about 195 F. 6+ hours.  A friend of a friend runs a packing house & I bring home 90 pound boxes of pork butts.  IMO nothing better, think I'll go to the barn and get one out to defrost.

BB

[carbineman]

CW, Nothing like the smell of freshly burned gunpowder to make a man feel right with the world.
I am still experimenting with the LeverEvolution propellant and that stuff is fantastic in two of my four 30-30's. Two tested and two to go.

And the talk of grilling is making me hungry!

[dpe.ahoy]

CW, sounds like a great day of burnin powder.  What range were you shooting the maxie?  Sounds like she enjoyed a couple of your recipies.   DP

[cwlongshot]

It was cold, but good to get out there shooting!! The snow was still more than a foot deep. But people have made some trax to the back stops and someone else even snow blow a path in front of the hangers. But this was only done at 50 yards. There where no tracks to 100, 150 or 200..it was like a wasteland out there!!  LOL

All shooting was either indoors at 50' (RF only) or out doors at 25 and 50 yards.

CW

[gcrank1]

CW, FWIW, I started getting odd fliers from my 38-55 last year, went through all the normal frustrations then 'felt' something strange; the buttstock slipped a tad at the receiver under pressure. Rather than just tighten it up it got me wondering about the buttstock bolt hole where the oversize to bolt shank threads come through into the receiver. This makes a loose gap between the stock and bolt thus the stock is held only 'in compression' from the bolt head to receiver.
I have taken to wrapping that shank behind the threads with just enough HD 'scotch tape' to make it a snuggish fit, then torque down the bolt.
The odd fliers went away too.

[cwlongshot]

CW, FWIW, I started getting odd fliers from my 38-55 last year, went through all the normal frustrations then 'felt' something strange; the buttstock slipped a tad at the receiver under pressure. Rather than just tighten it up it got me wondering about the buttstock bolt hole where the oversize to bolt shank threads come through into the receiver. This makes a loose gap between the stock and bolt thus the stock is held only 'in compression' from the bolt head to receiver.
I have taken to wrapping that shank behind the threads with just enough HD 'scotch tape' to make it a snuggish fit, then torque down the bolt.
The odd fliers went away too.

SO your thinking the hole thru the wrist of the stock being too large was causing the flyers? Interesting thinking... I have had three different stocks on this 500.

CW

[gcrank1]

 , You got it; and you may be in a better position than I right now to test this theory/fix out.
Give it a go and let us know!

[JamesIII]

I am envious of you who can go out to a range and shoot this time of year.I guess I am not as tough as CW, as I do not want to push snow and then put up with the cold just to shoot. After a big melt we have had snow almost every night, now we have snow on top of mud!!! I guess cabin fever is setting in. Keep sending the range reports, it gives me hope.  JamesIII