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Author Topic: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83  (Read 1734 times)

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Offline Marsh1

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PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« on: July 28, 2006, 08:30:20 AM »
Got the new 475/480 last night and immediately loaded some rounds of each chambeing and took it to the range, along with a chrono. The .480 stuff was stiff but not bad at all. The 476 with a 425 LBT going an average of 1,481fps was starting to hurt my wrist after 3 cylinders. Not bad for a few shots, but definitely not a plinker. Serious stuff only.
I imagine I will most keep the .480 cylinder in it. It averaged 1,220fps with a 370gr LBT.
I love it!! Several made the comment that they didn't see how it could work it was so tightly fitted. I proved them wrong.
Marsh
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Offline MS Hitman

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2006, 02:59:39 PM »
Now, take that 425 grain bullet and load 8.0 grains of WW231 or Unique behind it in the .475 cases.  It should do between 825 and 850 fps. Easy to shoot and accurate in my revolver.
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Offline SJPrice

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2006, 03:27:52 PM »
My sentiments exactly.  The 475 is extremely accurate.  Take the 425 grain loads down to under 1,000 and it will do most anything you need done, will be easy to shoot and will be accurate to boot.  Enjoy!
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Offline Marsh1

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2006, 05:01:47 PM »
Why would I want to load the .475 cases down like that when I have the .480 cylinder and brass? In fact I have a 400 gr Lee mold I will probably load for the .480. Push that at about 1,100 with 21grs of 296 and it should be a great load. I read somewhere that bullet was perfect for the .480.
Marsh
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Offline dubber123

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2006, 12:25:07 AM »
Marsh1, the 400 gr. Lee is a good design, I hope yours cast rounder than my first 2.  Both of them made it to the trash barrel.  I swore off anything with Lee stamped on it, and then one night in a fit of Labatts-induced foolishness I ordered another.  This one makes round bullets!  I cast up a bunch in case this one craps out on me.  This should be a great 480-475 bullet for less than stomper loads.
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Offline Marsh1

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2006, 03:38:07 AM »
dubber, I too have little respect for cheap Lee products, but when I bought it, I thought of it as a stop gap until I found or had made a good quality mold. Then I found a local source for LBT bullets, but damn they are costly, so I think I'll fire up my wheelweight pot today and give it a try. If if they are not round, they will get round real quick when I shoot them. :-X
Marsh
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Offline MS Hitman

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2006, 06:10:00 AM »
Then you don't have to squirrel around with the .480 cylinder and you have a practice load that, at least for my revolver, shoots to the same point of aim as my full bore loads. 

But hey, it's your circus.
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Offline dubber123

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2006, 07:08:07 AM »
Marsh1 one of the biggest things that impresed me with my FA was the Lee bullets.  My first mold cast so far out of round that upon sizing, it wiped most of the lube grooves off one side.  Out of this gun they still shot around 1-1/4" at 25 yds!  For any real world purposes, this is good enough for practice at that range, I couldn't stand looking at those bullets, and scrapped that mold.  If your mold isn't perfect, try some for accuracy anyways, you may be surprised.  I believe I was shooting around 8-9 grs. of Unique or W-231.  These guns are so accurate that I think it gives you more latitude with your loadings.  A load that isn't great in my FA still beats the pants off a lot of other guns with their best loadings!  Keep shooting, I think the more you get to know it, the better you'll like it.
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Offline SJPrice

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2006, 10:41:28 AM »
Enjoy your new 480.

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Offline MS Hitman

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Re: Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2006, 01:27:22 PM »
The Lee bullets are very accurate if they cast correctly, or even close.  John likes the bullets and I've head shot groundhogs out to 50 yards with the bullet.
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Offline Marsh1

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Re: Now a picture Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2006, 11:42:33 AM »
I finially found time to take a picture. Everyone that looks this gun over is much impressed with the workmanship. I'm still working up loads. I now plan to fire up the casting pot and make some Lee 400 gr bullets and down load them for the .480. These full house loads are wearing me out.
Marsh
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Offline Dusty Miller

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2006, 05:05:05 PM »
Oh. Marsh!  That makes me just about cry out for my FA 83 that SHOULD be here soon. :'(
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Offline Hatari

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2006, 10:38:03 PM »
Very nice your new FA.
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Offline Fiveshooter

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #13 on: August 18, 2006, 02:21:30 PM »
Marsh, That is one GOOD LOOKING GUN!!!!
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"Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level then beat you with experience." Not sure who first said this,but it makes sense.
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                   Billy

Offline Marsh1

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #14 on: August 18, 2006, 02:54:17 PM »
Thanks guys. I'm right proud of it.
Marsh
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Offline shilo

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #15 on: August 18, 2006, 04:18:52 PM »
                           SWEET !
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Offline 2 dogs

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #16 on: August 18, 2006, 05:02:34 PM »
Marsh,  your new FA is gorgeous.  Great picture.  To answer your question using the 475 cylinder instead of the 480 cylinder is to reduce bullet jump.  I was shooting 10 grains of unique behind the RCBS 400 grain plain base out of my BFR and it was very comfortable.  I would think a 480 would be better served with a jacketed 325 grain HP loaded hot for thin skinned critters.
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Offline ck

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2006, 08:58:40 AM »
Octagon barrels are starting to grow on me! Great looking gun! How is your brass holding up? Isnt 425 gr at 1481 too hot?


Chris
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Offline Marsh1

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Re: PICTURE-Shot the new FA 83
« Reply #18 on: August 19, 2006, 10:51:01 AM »
Brass has only been loaded a few times so nothing to report at this time.
The 1,481 load showed no signs of excessive pressure. Easy extraction and round primers.
Marsh
PS: I only shot it once over the chrono so maybe I should check it again. That does sound fast for 23 grs of Lil Gun.
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