Busy, busy. Even in the cold.

[Unqualified]

I like working on my reloading projects. I have occupied myself the last couple weeks with ammo and casting. Got a birthday present and brought home a couple molds and bought some powder. Cowboys don’t disappoint. It’s nice to be connected with two previous centuries, my preconceptions about cowboys and a useful mechanical device- gun.

So I’ve made a few hundred bullets, some bp ammo and waiting for my chance to go to the range, next Tuesday. I’m all stuck on my 45-70 and trying to get out to 200 yards. Scope set, narrowing groups and learning consistency. Anybody else got something going this fall in the reloading room? Almost time to hibernate. @67_Reasons @AlexB23 , @MarkRohfrietsch how was your season.? What are all putting in those guns. How do you sight in for 200 with a drop of 24-27 inches. And such the like , trying to make conversation. Hoi!

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I like working on my reloading projects. I have occupied myself the last couple weeks with ammo and casting. Got a birthday present and brought home a couple molds and bought some powder. Cowboys don’t disappoint. It’s nice to be connected with two previous centuries, my preconceptions about cowboys and a useful mechanical device- gun.

So I’ve made a few hundred bullets, some bp ammo and waiting for my chance to go to the range, next Tuesday. I’m all stuck on my 45-70 and trying to get out to 200 yards. Scope set, narrowing groups and learning consistency. Anybody else got something going this fall in the reloading room? Almost time to hibernate. @67_Reasons @AlexB23 , @MarkRohfrietsch how was your season.? What are all putting in those guns. How do you sight in for 200 with a drop of 24-27 inches. And such the like , trying to make conversation. Hoi?

I guess I will find out this year regarding drop at 200 yards; I have been building a .22 LRP bench rifle based on a CZ 455 supermatch and an Oryx MDT Chassis (not in the same league as the .45-70.

Long story...

About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with cataracts of a type that were fast developing. I am right eye dominant and shoot right handed. I always prided myself in my shooting ability with iron sights, as my sight rapidly deteriorated, my shooting got worse and worse. I sold my Brno Mod 4 and bought a used CZ455 Super Match, and bought a Riton 6-24 x 55 with a zero stop on elevation and a center zero setting for windage. Within another month, I no longer could even see the targets at 100 yards with the scope, with my Rt eye. I had no choice but to teach myself to shoot left handed with my left eye. From the bench, I shot well, but as time went on, I could see the deterioration in my left eye advancing as well.

I went back to my optometrist and requested a surgical referral, knowing that if I could not remedy this I not only would not be shooting but not driving and would be unable to work.

Here in Ontario Canada we generally have two choices; public medicare or private clinic. Public is fully paid but waiting periods are in excess of one year. Private Clinics run about 2-3000 dollars per eye. I was ready to pay that when I went to the Surgeon and told him so. He is a very nice, younger Muslim guy, and this is what he told me...

Because I was still working, and the cataracts, particularly the right one, were so severe, he would get me bumped up and I would have my first eye done in 1 month, the second three weeks after. I did have the option to pay $400.00 for a more precise measurement using laser rather than the standard ultrasonic lense mapping for a more precise replacement lens.

The rifle build was/is a mental health thing, it kept me from getting depressed and my hopes alive that I could keep shooting.

BTW, IDPA was still ok as I could shoot right handed and left eyed.

Now back to the 200 yard hold overs...

The scope has a fair ammount of elevation adjustment for 100 yards, but not much byond. I installed a MDT 40 MOA rail which gives me from my 20 yard zero almost 100% of the up travel.

Below is a standard drop chart for rimfire. My particular rifle only drops about 5" from a 20 yard zero at 100 yards; but I think the drop rates would be farily similar to the 45-70.

Now, I may have to start looking for another target rifle with peep sights once I get my new prescription glasses in January. So far, I don't need glasses to drive any more. I do need readers though.

 

[Unqualified]

The 17 HMR has a pretty good showing at 200. But these others show the challenge of it. Calculating the drop and estimating the aim point. Same with the 45-70. It will shoot that far but at such an arc they call it a rainbow. I think there is about 432 inches of drop at 1000 yds. I guess the sights take out the guess work..

I am both sad and glad about your cataract experience. What an almost awesome doctor you had. And the system actually worked for you, like God was in it. Amazing story with all the feelings of going through it with you.. so they put the new lenses in? I have slow developing cataracs and I am on a public health care. So far I can see to shoot but I see double front sights and with scope a bit of blur of crosshairs. Modern medicine…yes.

 

[Unqualified]

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

The 17 HMR has a pretty good showing at 200. But these others show the challenge of it. Calculating the drop and estimating the aim point. Same with the 45-70. It will shoot that far but at such an arc they call it a rainbow. I think there is about 432 inches of drop at 1000 yds. I guess the sights take out the guess work..

I am both sad and glad about your cataract experience. What an almost awesome doctor you had. And the system actually worked for you, like God was in it. Amazing story with all the feelings of going through it with you.. so they put the new lenses in? I have slow developing cataracs and I am on a public health care. So far I can see to shoot but I see double front sights and with scope a bit of blur of crosshairs. Modern medicine…yes.

Yes, new lenses; made by Bausch and Lomb; came with certificates with the prescription and serial number of each lens. If I were to die, and all that was left was my eye=ball they could identify me by the lense. LOL

Regardless of his personal faith, God works all things for good. He is a great Doctor, just not a Christian. God works all things for good according to His Will. Even hard hearted Pharaoh united and motivated God's people. Pharaoh's wife raised Moses....

If you need it and can get the surgery, the actual procedure takes about 11 minutes and less uncomfortable than a tooth cleaning at the dentist. The day after it feels like a mild case of welders flash, but after that, no discomfort. Lots of eye drops for a month.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com

What a great tool! Thanks for sharing!

I'm thinking that I might need a range finder for variable long range.

 

[Unqualified]

Always something to buy. I was on that forum you mentioned @MarkRohfrietsch .for a while. But got bored and couldn’t buy anything but an interesting experience. A while ago I was on a Canadian forum west of this one. But I don’t know I’m only on one gun forum trying to shoot lead and black powder, etc. a bit strange different guns and still the high prices. Your gun laws are confusing and with import fees, just let them go.

 

[Unqualified]

Today I lubed and sized bullets. Some long Lee 500 trainers and some 340 grain bullets. Paul Matthews says the base of the bullet should be a half inch for long range. This is so with 20:1 you will have enough bullet to engage the rifling. With hardball maybe you could do with less The 340 grain has less and I thought it all could be seated in the case. With resulting a little more powder space. More would be better. I have no freebore so the bullet cannot have a nose wide to the groove. So to solve this and get enough black powder in it I thought I would size the nose to the bore dimension and push it a band or two out of the case and into the rifling. There I would have a long bore riding nose, enough base to turn the bullet and room for maybe 65-70 grains of 2fg or 1 1/2 fg.

Sounds good to me, but it’s modified. Paul Matthews did the same thing I think to a Lyman 457125 and he also shortened it to 475 grains. The mold I mean. He learned his stuff by experience and talking it over with his friends.

i want to use a lee breechlock sizing die to size the nose. I think I can, I think I can. Comments?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Today I lubed and sized bullets. Some long Lee 500 trainers and some 340 grain bullets. Paul Matthews says the base of the bullet should be a half inch for long range. This is so with 20:1 you will have enough bullet to engage the rifling. With hardball maybe you could do with less The 340 grain has less and I thought it all could be seated in the case. With resulting a little more powder space. More would be better. I have no freebore so the bullet cannot have a nose wide to the groove. So to solve this and get enough black powder in it I thought I would size the nose to the bore dimension and push it a band or two out of the case and into the rifling. There I would have a long bore riding nose, enough base to turn the bullet and room for maybe 65-70 grains of 2fg or 1 1/2 fg.

Sounds good to me, but it’s modified. Paul Matthews did the same thing I think to a Lyman 457125 and he also shortened it to 475 grains. The mold I mean. He learned his stuff by experience and talking it over with his friends.

i want to use a lee breechlock sizing die to size the nose. I think I can, I think I can. Comments?

Sounds very interesting, and I think it will work.

Some day when I have a bit of money in my pocket and some time on my hands, I would like to get a 9.3 mm sizing die and try resizing some copper plated or FMJ pistol bullets to use for plinking in my 9.3 x 62. a 150 or 200 gr should have a bit less recoil than 285 gr and be able to keep enough velocity that they will shoot to about the same point of aim out to 100 yards.

 

[Unqualified]

Sounds very interesting, and I think it will work.

Some day when I have a bit of money in my pocket and some time on my hands, I would like to get a 9.3 mm sizing die and try resizing some copper plated or FMJ pistol bullets to use for plinking in my 9.3 x 62. a 150 or 200 gr should have a bit less recoil than 285 gr and be able to keep enough velocity that they will shoot to about the same point of aim out to 100 yards.

is that so? I had a 6.5x53R and it took .263 bullets it was not about recoil though, obviously. It had tight bore or uneven lands or something. They just slide through better. It even had .268 grooves but went out pretty well.

I think people shoot PP boolits too that are sized to bore. Must have plenty of gas leakage but still enough power. I have some 263 bullets that going to shoot in a different set up 6.5. They should work too. Plenty of powder behind them.

i assume you meant around .365.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

is that so? I had a 6.5x53R and it took .263 bullets it was not about recoil though, obviously. It had tight bore or uneven lands or something. They just slide through better. It even had .268 lands but went out pretty well.

I think people shoot PP boolits too that are sized to bore. Must have plenty of gas leakage but still enough power. I have some 263 bullets that going to shoot in a different set up 6.5. They should work too. Plenty of powder behind them.

i assume you meant around .365.

Yes, actual caliber is .366

 

[Unqualified]

Yes, actual caliber is .366

How you going to find pistol bullets that size? I suppose you have a sizer with top punches. Ax lee might work for that. I can see some money being spent. Be patient I’m sure it will happen. I waiting longer for stuff at the moment, and when I do I can figure out something better so I don’t make a mistake. I still do though.

ive been wanting a bullet sizer and not yet going for the lee, I checked out NOE. I tried every combination and it still would end up costing me over $80. So back to the lee and seeing how or if that would work.

 

[Unqualified]

Had a shooting time today. I was warm in my clothes. The groups got smaller the less powder I used. That’s without a rest and at only 60 yds. There were quite a few flyers, this could mean something. Need a bigger bullet or more lube. I couldn’t clean after every shot- forgot my converted mop. A dry patch though showed no crust at breech or muzzle. It went so smoothly and swiftly that I wondered about the groups, but it was definitive.50 degrees the wind in my face, I was doused with smoke 20 times.

RS was used, it is supposed to be a BP equivalent. Softer kick, softer report. A good available, alternative, many are using it even though there are rumors about it. And it’s all documented, all of it.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

How you going to find pistol bullets that size? I suppose you have a sizer with top punches. Ax lee might work for that. I can see some money being spent. Be patient I’m sure it will happen. I waiting longer for stuff at the moment, and when I do I can figure out something better so I don’t make a mistake. I still do though.

ive been wanting a bullet sizer and not yet going for the lee, I checked out NOE. I tried every combination and it still would end up costing me over $80. So back to the lee and seeing how or if that would work.

I'm with you on the Lee; for me, here in Canada, about $150 Canadian would get me the breach-lock sizer adaptor and the punch and die. That is about $100 US.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Had a shooting time today. I was warm in my clothes. The groups got smaller the less powder I used. That’s without a rest and at only 60 yds. There were quite a few flyers, this could mean something. Need a bigger bullet or more lube. I couldn’t clean after every shot- forgot my converted mop. A dry patch though showed no crust at breech or muzzle. It went so smoothly and swiftly that I wondered about the groups, but it was definitive.50 degrees the wind in my face, I was doused with smoke 20 times.

RS was used, it is supposed to be a BP equivalent. Softer kick, softer report. A good available, alternative, many are using it even though there are rumors about it. And it’s all documented, all of it.

Black Powder is getting hard to find here; I picked up some Pyrodex and Jim Shockley stuff at an auction a while back for the .44 cap and ball; I have yet to try it out.

 

[Unqualified]

Pyrodex RS is supposed to be a black powder equivalent and cleaner. I guess you don’t have BP made up there, though other powders I’ve heard report of, but why can’t you get Swiss. I was using t7 then switched. Swiss seems more consistent. What about graf and sons BP. On Grafs.com. . It’s a conspiracy.

I wish I could export to ya.

Black Powder is getting hard to find here; I picked up some Pyrodex and Jim Shockley stuff at an auction a while back for the .44 cap and ball; I have yet to try it out.

titan reloading has those bullet sizers. Did you get the Pyrodex pistol?

 

[Unqualified]

Used my home made bore butter to lube and preserve my bore. I worked it in to displace any water that might be in it after cleaning. It’s pretty thick and puts a good coat on it. But now I can’t get a shell in it until I swab with dry patch before shooting it. In long term it doesn’t dry hard after 2-3 weeks. It’s a mixture of mineral oil and micro nized wax. Combined in a double boiler 60-40. Wax first because it takes more temp. I used it on some slugs too but no results yet.

is it uncool to choke on the smoke?

will use my nose sizer when I get it. Big plans.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Pyrodex RS is supposed to be a black powder equivalent and cleaner. I guess you don’t have BP made up there, though other powders I’ve heard report of, but why can’t you get Swiss. I was using t7 then switched. Swiss seems more consistent. What about graf and sons BP. On Grafs.com. . It’s a conspiracy.

I wish I could export to ya.

titan reloading has those bullet sizers. Did you get the Pyrodex pistol?

No, this is, I believe, the 3F equivalent. I will check out Titan Reloading; they may not be able to ship to Canada due to ITAR regulations.

 

[Unqualified]

No, this is, I believe, the 3F equivalent. I will check out Titan Reloading; they may not be able to ship to Canada due to ITAR regulations.

yeah it would be great because they are in Wisconsin. Lee is in Wisconsin too I believe. That’s tough but today my fellow usher said the dollar is down to 2% of what it was worth. Iranian rial was worth 700,000 to the dollar but now a little better. It’s all currencies really. That’s why they are pushing Bitcoin. What’s the ‘R’ for?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations

The USA offered Canada an exemption; our Prime Minister and his Security Minister declined the offer. Therefore, if a company in the USA wants to sell firearms, parts, and some accessories directly to a Canadian, they need a special export permit that is quite expensive to obtain. Most don't. Likewise, most of our dealers here are not allowed to ship to the USA.