Ranchdog 165 in Winchester

[Swamprat1052]

I have an old Model 94, made back in early 70's. Has anybody used the 165 gr. Ranchdog boolits in the Winchesters?

Swamrat1052

[TXGunNut]

No, working with the .32 sister of that boolit in a rifle of that vintage. Eyesight seems to be hampering that project but it looks promising. Best results so far with LeveRevolution powder, see Larry Gibson's posts on the subject.

[Swamprat1052]

They work, loaded some with 30. 0 gr. H-4895, good accuracy, no leading. Life is good.

Swamprat

[richhodg66]

What alloy did you cast them with? I just cast my first batch of 50/50 with 2 ounces of tin in a 10 lb pot. They cast real well, I ran them through a .311 sizer to seat the gas checks, gonna dip them with liquid alox next and load some up. I had planned on going about 26 grains of IMR4895 for use in various .30-30s. I wonder if that is too hot for that soft a bullet. I want to hunt with it and cast soft to ensure expansion.

[Swamprat1052]

I used straight wheel weights for mine. I sprayed them with WD-40 then sized and put the gas checks on with a Lee .311 sizer. Then I dipped them Ranch Dog Style in thinned liquid Alox. Ran them back through the sizer and used corn starch on them. I belled the case mouths slightly and loaded them. I had 3 that wouldnt chamber, I think they bulged a little while crimping them, ordered a Lee Factory Crimp die, gonna see if that helps. At 50 yds all shots went inside about an 1 1/2" bullseye. I shot 3 rounds at a bigger bullseye (I could almost see) and put all 3 rounds in about 3". Maybe by accident. No leading.

I just installed a Williams peep site and a Fiber Optic front site on it, my old eyes aint what they used to be. I was surprised, I hit the bullseye at 50 yds without having to adjust the sights. I got lucky on a load and with the sights. I may try the softer lead on mine too, but I have a hard time thinking the ww is too hard. Let me know how yours turn out with the 50/50.

Swamprat

[richhodg66]

I may have to clean pretty often to keep good accuracy. I have several .30-30s I want to shoot this load in, including a Model '94. I haven't shot it in a while, but remember it did OK with cast, I just never tried a load like what I want to do with this one. I'll also be trying in a Marlin micor groove as well as a couple of Savage rifles.

By the way, I have that Williams peep and fiber optic front on my '94, I sure shoot better with aperature sights.