Lead melter
01-20-2008, 05:38 PM
Just got back from the range and figured I'd drop a line about the possible success with a Ranch Dog boolit in an H&R Handi-Rifle. Cold day, temperature 29 degrees, wind gusting. Loads fired in this sequence; load, aim, fire, check spotting scope, load again, and so forth. No letting barrel cool, as this was not necessary at this temp.
Cast a bunch of RCBS 45-405-FN and Ranch Dog 460-420-FN both with BHN 14.
Light Alox lube, seated Gator gas checks, sized RCBS at .458" and RD at .460" Dipped them in 1/2 vaseline 1/2 beeswax lube, and then sized again to remove excess.
Loaded 11 each over 16 grains Unique and Federal GM210M primers in Winchester brass.
Cleaned the old H&R 45-70 sqeaky clean used Birchwood-Casey polishing cloth to remove all traces of lead. Then lightly oiled barrel.
First round of RCBS fired at nothing, just to foul the barrel. Next 10 fired at standard 4" target at 100 yards. 4 struck the paper, the other 10 keyholed all over the backing board. I have shot this boolit before, so I know it will shoot better. Only the lube is different.
Next fired the RD 420 grainer. First three shots settled in above the target descending toward the black circle. The next eight shots went into a nice 2" group. They also shot to same point of aim as my usual load of 27 grains AA-5744.
The rifle carries a 4X Weaver scope old enough to retire. This is the best group ever fired with this rifle and any cast boolits. "J-word" bullets shoot considerably better.
One group does not prove anything, but there may be something here. Have not yet scrubbed the barrel, but can see no leading as of yet. The Ranch Dog may have struck again.:)
Cast a bunch of RCBS 45-405-FN and Ranch Dog 460-420-FN both with BHN 14.
Light Alox lube, seated Gator gas checks, sized RCBS at .458" and RD at .460" Dipped them in 1/2 vaseline 1/2 beeswax lube, and then sized again to remove excess.
Loaded 11 each over 16 grains Unique and Federal GM210M primers in Winchester brass.
Cleaned the old H&R 45-70 sqeaky clean used Birchwood-Casey polishing cloth to remove all traces of lead. Then lightly oiled barrel.
First round of RCBS fired at nothing, just to foul the barrel. Next 10 fired at standard 4" target at 100 yards. 4 struck the paper, the other 10 keyholed all over the backing board. I have shot this boolit before, so I know it will shoot better. Only the lube is different.
Next fired the RD 420 grainer. First three shots settled in above the target descending toward the black circle. The next eight shots went into a nice 2" group. They also shot to same point of aim as my usual load of 27 grains AA-5744.
The rifle carries a 4X Weaver scope old enough to retire. This is the best group ever fired with this rifle and any cast boolits. "J-word" bullets shoot considerably better.
One group does not prove anything, but there may be something here. Have not yet scrubbed the barrel, but can see no leading as of yet. The Ranch Dog may have struck again.:)