Stanger73
11-12-2005, 07:05 PM
Several months back, I bought a "pristine" 1894-1994 Trapper in .44 Magnum. It was (and still is) in perfect condition, with a Williams peep sight, sling swivel on the magazine tube and a fat Limbsaver recoil pad. The price was "too good to be true", and so it was.
My first trip to the range left me confounded as I couldn't hit the proverbial "broad side of a barn" with it. In fact, I posted about it here (can't find the link at the moment), and got some very good advice.
I slugged the bore (according to the Beartooth guide), and found it to be .4315", at the edge or slightly over the SAAMI specs depending on how you read them. Fortunately, Beartooth can supply bullets sized .432", and AFIK is the only supplier that can (or does)...
After the expected wait for the 280gr WFNGC bullets and some work related delays (I hate it when work interferes with my fun :) ), I finally got out to the range with the gun and some "proper" loads...
The result? Not one, but two 1.5" 5 shot groups at 100yds, with peep sights, my eyes, and gusty (to maybe 10mph) wind with light sprinkles. I would have been happy to get this on a calm, clear day. The worst groups were around 3", minus the "flyers". This was done with initalal work-up loads, which means the powder charges were chosen for even distribution across the range, not built for maximizing accuracy.
For reference, the two best groups were with 19.0gr H110 (first group), and 18.5gr H110 (second group), Remington cases, WW WLP primers, and firmly crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die. I shot 10 rounds after the first good group, waited ~15 minutes, and shot the second good group. I had a "target malfunction" (the bottom staples pulled out, so it started flapping in the wind) midway through the second 19.0gr set so I don't know if it would have been as good or better.
The good news is that the properly sized Beartooth Bullets turned my safety hazzard into a decent shooting gun! Thanks Marshall :)
My first trip to the range left me confounded as I couldn't hit the proverbial "broad side of a barn" with it. In fact, I posted about it here (can't find the link at the moment), and got some very good advice.
I slugged the bore (according to the Beartooth guide), and found it to be .4315", at the edge or slightly over the SAAMI specs depending on how you read them. Fortunately, Beartooth can supply bullets sized .432", and AFIK is the only supplier that can (or does)...
After the expected wait for the 280gr WFNGC bullets and some work related delays (I hate it when work interferes with my fun :) ), I finally got out to the range with the gun and some "proper" loads...
The result? Not one, but two 1.5" 5 shot groups at 100yds, with peep sights, my eyes, and gusty (to maybe 10mph) wind with light sprinkles. I would have been happy to get this on a calm, clear day. The worst groups were around 3", minus the "flyers". This was done with initalal work-up loads, which means the powder charges were chosen for even distribution across the range, not built for maximizing accuracy.
For reference, the two best groups were with 19.0gr H110 (first group), and 18.5gr H110 (second group), Remington cases, WW WLP primers, and firmly crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die. I shot 10 rounds after the first good group, waited ~15 minutes, and shot the second good group. I had a "target malfunction" (the bottom staples pulled out, so it started flapping in the wind) midway through the second 19.0gr set so I don't know if it would have been as good or better.
The good news is that the properly sized Beartooth Bullets turned my safety hazzard into a decent shooting gun! Thanks Marshall :)