'92 reload accuracy

[long colt lawrence]

Howdy Friends,

  I've been reloading for a year now (CAS) and I've got a question for those of you more experienced than me. I'm reloading for an EMF '92, 45lc. I've only found one load that works: 230gr. rn., 7.6gr. of winchester 231. (I know I shouldn't be shooting rn in a tube, but the 250 fp don't work.)  And those results are marginal. I've tried heavier bullets, different powders and the results are the same....30" groups at 50 yds. No joke. I sent the gun to get it fixed (which EMF was nice enough to pick up the tab) they said the barrel was replaced, but they did a damn fine job of copying the old scratches into it.  and it still shoots bad, except for the load mentioned. My question is, "is this common?" that a gun only shoots one bullet with one powder at a particular weight? I personally think the gun is messed up.  But since I'm a newby, mabye I need to accept this. Oh yeah,  factory loads don't shoot any better. What's up? Hopefully this post will provide me with a reason to get another gun!

[John Traveler]

WOW!  

I wish my shotguns would shoot like THAT!  Most muzzleloading SMOOTHBORES can shoot better than THAT!!

Sorry to hear of your accuracy problems.

Your loads sound good and should perform.  

If you really get "groups" that big at 50 yards with both factory and handloads, there is DEFINITELY something wrong with your barrel.  Fist-sizd groups at 50 yards is only average, but anything bigger is no good!

If your '92 is made by Rossi (Brazil) I would suggest having a qualified friend or gunsmith slug and measure the bore.  I've known NEW Rossi barrels to be badly oversized, or with defective rifling.  Ask him to look for a bore constriction or looseness toward the muzzle.

If you are willing to try it yourself, use a wooden dowel to drive an unfired .45 colt slug into the muzzle, and try looking into the breech.  If you can see light between the slug and the barrel grooves, the barrel is badly oversized.  IF you can't see light, look for that tight spot in the barrel.

John

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Is the barrel leaded?

Are you trying specifically for Cowboy loads?

Some powders and some bullets just don't perform well in some guns at certain speeds.

In other words, I had a heck of a time finding a light load for a '92 .357.   I had good success with faster loads.  Then I tried the right powder, the right bullet, and the right lube, and wammo a light load that put 'em in less than an inch at 40 meters.  And the faster loads still do well too of course.

Try a softer alloy if you're going for CAS speeds.  You may have lead bullets that are too hard and not bumping up.

[long colt lawrence]

Thanks Black Jaque,
 
 I think I've kinda tried the spectrum. I tried heavier, faster loads in my earlier reloading attempts in an effort to reduce the powder blowback I was experiencing out of the top of the reciever. The general opinion is that its diffcult to stop this from happening with a straight walled case. Can't shoot it without safety glasses on. It will burn you.

You know what? You've got me on a roll now! I've spent more time messin' around with that gun than its worth.....Dangerous to shoot!, can't hit the broadside of a barn! I'm gettin' something else. I wrote EMF a letter, I wonder what their response will be.

I have seen the light!