Range Report 12/3/2011

[MSM]

  Good afternoon. I wanted to post a range result of my most recent NEF target shooting efforts. In the past I had not really understood exactly what it meant to keep the shelf and/or latch clean on an NEF rifle. For me, now, it means if there is enough to smudge a Q-tip it is too dirty for accuracy. I also employed the trick of putting the sand bag under the receiver right up to the trigger guard and finally hit pay dirt! The attached image is a three shot 200 yard group. I do not have the zero tuned yet, but I will eventually get it right.
  For me, this answers the nagging question of whether an NEF rifle can deliver MOA groups...at least my rifle with me shooting it. I just want others to know it takes a few different tricks with the NEF, but it can be done! Once I get things tuned in at 200 yards I will be trying it at 300 yards.  I hope I attached the picture correctly.


  Thanks,
    MSM

[Lon371]

 Nice group for 200. What exactly are you shooting?
 
Lonny
 

[LaOtto222]

Yes, it is a nice group, wind blowing? It can cause horizontal stinging, but still a nice group. Just guessing, but a 357 Max with a cast bullet?

Keep up the good reports, Good Shooting and Good Luck

[Yak Angler]

Very nice group and yes please confirm what cartridge that is in the photo?

[Dinny]

45-70??




Thanks, Dinny

[MSM]

  Oh, yes, it is a .45-70 with a home cast bullet. I had worried it would require a lot of experimentation with bullets sizing, lead alloys, lubes and powders but it worked out pretty well. Very basic, simple and straight forward stuff. The velocity is about 1,200 fps so it was a bit of a challenge to get it on paper from 100 to 200 yards, but with some ballistic calculators I got it to this point.
  Luckily the wind was blowing nearly straight in. The wind may have drifted me, but I will have to shoot some more to confirm. The group measures about 2-1/4". Honestly, I was nearly stunned.
  By the way, that is a 500 grain bullet, and at those velocities it is quite tame. I'll have to cast up some more bullets for the next trip to the range.
  Thanks for the compliments. As things progress I will post.
  MSM

[Dinny]

A few weeks ago I shot some similar 45-70 bullets through my Handi. They're the 535gr Postells and had a fair amount of recoil. I was using IMR 3031 with a charge that GB recommended. My accuracy was only 2" at 100yds so I have some work to do before I can shoot that well at 200yds. Good shooting!


Thanks, Dinny

[MSM]

  Dinny, did you cast you bullets? Mine are from a Lee mold, and I used the Lee Liquid Alox. I sort of cringe when I tumble lube the bullets in a gallon zip lock bag but it seems to work. Also, I found the rifle sort of sprays a pattern until the barrel is leaded, then it seems to settle into some nice groups. It goes against a lot of what I have read and heard, but seeing is believing. I hope the results are easily repeated.


  Thanks,
   MSM

[Dinny]

MSM,
  I don't cast my own bullets. I am very fortunate to have met some really good people here at GBO that have offered me some to try. I have heard that just a little LLA goes a long way.


Thanks, Dinny