Finally got away from the computers and went out to shoot the G2 209X45. Took along Pyro P, T7 in FFg and T7 in FFFg, as well as several pre-measured powder vials left over from December. Also took along some of Bob's 464 grain Whitworths, H280man's variety pack, a few of my own Lee 421s, PB 275 grainers, Dead Center 260 grainers, and multiple others. Took along a plastic flask of cornmeal and three kinds of primers, Win 209, CCI 209 and Rem 209-4. Had every intention of really giving everything a work out.
Started shooting some of H280man's 300 grain Keith nose. The only lube I had brought along (DOH!) was a tube of Bore Butter (which normally works decently for conical lube). Spread some of the BB on the Keith nosed bullets and started shooting them with 55 weighed grains of FFFg T7. Fouling was pretty bad and the bullets didn't track well at all, even at the 25 yards I was shooting. Noticed severe flaking of the alloy in the bore which indicated to me that I had inadequate lube.
Set the Keith nosed aside, thinking to try them later with a cornmeal buffer. Tried next some of my own Lee 421 grainers lubed with the 50/50 alox-alcohol solution and same powder charge. These seemed to track just a little better and with much less fouling so I moved my target box out to 100. Had noticed a bit of discomfort on my trigger hand while shooting my bigger boolets, but only saw the blood after the 4th shot. Decided to go to something lighter!!
Chose the left-over loads I had used in my 209x45 Encore during hunting season. Put some masking tape over the finger eating trigger stop screw and proceeded. Load is as described in picture.
These were shot after 2 others of the same load to get near the bullseye. The little rifle shows great promise and I may have to put on a more powerful scope to see just how accurate it might be. The finger-killer screw is an easy fix and I'll probably correct that this evening. Fouling was very minimal with the Powerbelt load and, even though that is not the bullet I WANT to shoot regularly, accuracy with that load shows me the rifle is very capable.
I can never really tell about triggers until an actual shooting session. I was a bit disappointed to learn the rifle's trigger has a significant amount of take-up which is there one shot, gone the next. I'll have to do a little honing to correct that.
In spite of the finger bashing, I was only brushed once by the scopes ocular end and very lightly then. It helps that I have the scope positioned about as far forward as possible.
Had absolutely zero blowback into the action area of the rifle.
Didn't get around to testing all those other bullets. Had to go get a tetanus shot. :wink:
