February Range Session in Maine

novalty

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Yesterday we saw unseasonably high temp of 50° in Maine. Having the day off I decided to cease the opportunity to try out some test loads for a couple of guns. Was excited to be able to do this, as it allowed me to find whats working before the warm weather typically hits, and I can now get loading up some batches ahead of time. So here are some of the results--pre-warning I'm a terrible shot, and a couple months without putting lead downrange doesn't help.

First, were some 125gr. JHP's out of my late Grandfather's Colt Official Police (5" barrel). First time ever shooting this gun, has a real nice single-action trigger.


Next, was a test load using Bullseye with my cast 200gr. SWC. Really like this load. (full 8-round mag)


Next, were an a couple different test loads with my 9mm cast bullets, using Bullseye and HP-38. Not really a good idea jumping around calibers quickly, which is what I attribute some accuracy issues with the Bullseye loads below.

10-rounds with 3.4gr Bullseye


10-rounds with 3.6gr Bullseye


10-rounds with 3.5gr HP-38


10-rounds with 4.0gr HP-38


I managed to find 3 of the 9mm bullets on the frozen ground behind the target. So brought them back and weighed them and they were: 131.6, 131.6, and 131.8gr. I weighed 3 of my cast and lubed bullets: 134.2, 134.3, and 134.5gr. So they lost just under 3grs. Here is one of the recovered bullets.



Also on a positive note, I left with all my brass :D
 
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It made it into the mid 40's last week here in Iowa and so I made it to the range. I was actually shooting some similar bullets. I was trying some 135 grain bullets in 9mm and some 215 grain SWC in a new to me M1911 from 1918.

I had really good luck with the 135 grain bullets in front of 3.7 grains Bullseye. I was testing 2 different alloys and the hard stuff (approximately 14 BNH) had better luck than the softer stuff (approx. 10 BNH). I powder coat the bullets and my mold is from NOE. It is designed for powder coat and has no lube groove. 3.7 was pretty accurate and seemed to be a fairly soft load

I also had good luck with the 215 grain SWC H&G 68 clone. I was using 4.0 BE and 4.5 HP-38. I am going to try some slightly higher charges next time because these were both at or below the recommended starting charge weights.

Were you able to find load data for the 135 grain bullet? I just used the midpoint between 124 and 147 and started on the conservative side.
 
For my cast 9mm 135gr, I've been using lad data from the Lyman 47th edition on their 356634 cast bullet--which is nearly identical design but lists a 130gr weight.
 
Glad you could get out and do some shooting. :)

We don't have the cold, but unusual amount of rain so our range is flooded!!. Bizarre weather.

Now enough of the fooling around, back to research on whats available for sale and in stock!:D;)
 
Very nice............ glad to see that you were able to get out and
do some shooting and testing of several weapons.
I like that M19 target very much......sweet.

Still snow, wet and muddy around here. A 4x4 is needed off the blacktop....... waiting things out.

Always nice to get a few test in the bag. Now you can work around them. :cool:
Have fun.
 
Glad to see you take advantage of the weather break too.

Last week after the 24" snow storm in Eastern PA the temp climbed to 48. Put on my tallest boots and headed to the range with a couple of rifles . . . a 30-06 with a brand new barrel and trued action (couldn't wait for this one), and some load test ammo for my 6mmAR.

Was *very* pleased to see they had actually plowed a path from the house to (and all the way across) the 100 yard target boards.

Had a *great* time . . . so I know how you felt :)
 
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Glad to see you take advantage of the weather break too.

Last week after the 24" snow storm in Eastern PA the temp climbed to 48. Put on my tallest boots and headed to the range with a couple of rifles . . . a 30-06 with a brand new barrel and trued action (couldn't wait for this one), and some load test ammo for my 6mmAR.

Was *very* pleased to see they had actually plowed a path from the house to (and all the way across) the 100 yard target boards.

Had a *great* time . . . so I know how you felt :)

The weather certainly is strange. We lost almost all our snow in Maine. Yesterday I was wearing shoes out in the field where I shoot. Today, we got around 6" of snow. :rolleyes:
 
The wife and I went to the range last Monday, I think. Test fired my first cast 40, 175 gr bullets from the Lee 6 cavity mold. Fired these in a Shield and a Sigma. I had heard so much about FTF and failure to eject I was worried about these. No problems, except I ran out of shells. Found all the hulls, which was a change. It was about 70 degrees here, the calm before the storm.
 
I got out last Friday with a friend. It didnt hit 50d, but close.
It was my first chance to shoot with a new 10 round AR mag and to shoot with a new charging handle.
The best group measured in at 1 1/8" 5 shot 100yd group with Federal 55`s from a 100 pack Red box. I was pretty amazed.
I had fun with a 629-3 with 240 cast and 7gr of 231.
I hope the warm days keep coming. Im not as stout as I used to be.
Jim
 
As much as it's been raining.....

I won't go out to 'Boggy Head' because I'd probably never come back. Come Springtime they would find me in the mud.

Glad you got to get out. Looks like you had phun.:)

That Bullseye load with the SWCs looks like one I'd stick with.


Did you say what range you were shooting these? I'd just like to have an idea. I'm no Jerry Miculek myself.
 
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Did you say what range you were shooting these? I'd just like to have an idea. I'm no Jerry Miculek myself.

Rwsmith, I'd say I was around 8-10 yards. The 4.0gr load of Bullseye will be put into larger production with the 5.0grs of HP-38 that I currently use. For my 9mm I'm going to put a larger batch together with 3.7grs of HP-38. While the 3.5grs worked pretty well, I did have several pieces of brass come back and hit me in the head--which I didn't experience with the 4.0gr load.
 
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