Maxi Range Report

[Dinny]

As many of you know, I love my Maxi rifles! I have had no less than 4 of them and all of them have been great shooters. I was recently gifted a Mag barrel that had been reamed to Maxi and it fit my receiver very well. (Thanks Scott!!) I loaded my go-to load of 28gr AA1680 and a 180gr Hornady SS-PB. This load has always proven accurate in all of my rifles and this barrel was no exception. I can shoot 5 shots into 1" or less at 100yds. It's accuracy at 50yds is just scary. Bikerbeans recently gave me some 240gr .358" bore-riding bullets that resemble a wadcutter. This is a cast bullet that is both long for caliber and much heavier than anything I have ever shot from a Maxi. With 4gr of TB powder, it clocks right at 750fps and shoots into almost the same hole at 50yds. This load has a quiet report and nearly no recoil. Although it strikes much lower than any other Maxi load (8" lower at 50yds than the previous load), the scope can be adjusted enough to center it on the bullseye. I think this bullet has enough weight to be a serious contender for pest control in certain areas where noise may be an issue. Be careful though, the bullet may travel farther than one would expect from another bullet flying 750fps.


Here's a source of similar bullets: http://www.pennbullets.com/38/CAS-38.html




Thanks, Dinny

[petemi]

Well, here I am, Old and Forgetful.  I just got in a large primer and powder order from Grafs and 1680 was supposed to be on it and I forgot.  I don't want to sound like a commercial for Grafs, but their flat 4.95 handling charge and free shipping on orders over 25.00 make ordering from them very attractive.  Their powders ranged from about 16.95 to 23 or 24 bucks.  Same stuff around here is over 30 a pound.  It doesn't take much to get your HAZMAT charge back plus the gas I save not running an hour and a half to the nearest dealer.  I got 6000 primers and several pounds of powder........but forgot the 1680.  I've really wanted to feed it to my Maxi.

The Trail Boss quiet loads sound interesting.  I found some similar for my .32-20.  One load is supposed to be so quiet all you hear is the hammer fall.  If I recall correctly it was running about 550 fps.  I haven't tried them yet.

It seems the Maxi around here is getting to be somewhat more than a cult.....it's just about a religion.

Pete

[Lon371]

It seems the Maxi around here is getting to be somewhat more than a cult.....it's just about a religion.

I still laugh at some people when you mention Maximum. They give you the dumb look and ask Magnum? Then their eyes open up when you show them 180 gr Hornady stuck in that long brass . Most around here are behind times and say "you can not use that" I tell them to stick to that old shotgun
 
 Dinny, you loading the 240's in the Maxi case or ?
 
Lonny

[petemi]

Lon, I like to show them the .38, the mag, and the Maxi, and then show them the "Maximum Long Rifle"........ the 38-55.  It is amazing how many "hunters", "shooters" have never even heard of what I call the old dash calibers aside from the .45-70 to 120 family.  I think most of them learned that much from Quigley.  My next door neighbor, a young man bitten with magnum mania, was over last week and shot my .32-20.  He said, what a great little rifle.  Never heard of it before.  He also shot the -55 and the .45-70 and went away with a deeper appreciation for non-magnum calibers after he rang the 300 yard gong a few times.

Pete

[bikerbeans]

Dinny,
 
Glad the 240 LWCs work for you.  I tried them with a full case of trail boss (7.6 grain IIRC) in a Maxi case and they flew all over the  place.  Another member tried the 240s in his 357 Mag carbine, with several different powders, and had bad results also, but we both were pushing them supersonic.  If you want more of the Real McCoy 240s instead of the Penn copycats, let me know.
 
BB

[Dinny]

BB,
 The only concern I have for these bullets is the shallow lube groove. Since I'm concerned it doesn't hold enough lube, I have been hand lubing them with Alox. I also fill the lower crimp groove to give it a little more help. I dislike removing lead from my barrels... I'll let you know when I start getting short.


Lonny,
  Yes they are loaded into Max brass.




Thanks, Dinny