I'm back, and I didn't get skunked

[MBTcustom]

My loooong sticky thread about cast loads in the M1A used a "loaded" standard-length rifle. Accuracy is just fine, jacketed or cast. That thread is on the "CB Loads, Military Rifles" forum.

I don't believe the "National Match" comes in anything except the standard-length rifle (22" barrel). The NM represents about a thousand dollars extra that you really don't need to spend. Also, the bedding of the NM rifles is subject to wear if the rifle is stripped too often. Of course, if the money is no problem, it's your decision.

Incidentally, it's called the "M1A" rifle, NOT the "M1A1". Springfield made an "M1A1" model many years ago; it was a shortened sort of "bush rifle", but has not been made for some time.

Bruce, I'm slugging my way through that awesome thread right now. I got to the part where you gave up on the 311466 mold, and I'm crying big crocodile tears because that is the only 30 caliber mold I own! LOL!

Now, I just want to take a minute and thank all you awesome fellers who have offered to let me borrow your molds. Since I posted this yesterday, I have been offered molds from no less than 5 individuals, only two of whom I have ever met in person! I am truly blessed with friends!
I'm blown away by this, and I just want to say thank you. I didn't expect that at all, and I suddenly find myself overwhelmed with options! All I can say is "Wow".
For right now, I'm just going to try my beat up lovern, because if I get it to work, then I won't be shaking the mothballs out of my wallet trying to find spare change for a new mold!
I just have to bore out the pin holes and bush them. For the record, this is what happens if you're young and dumb as rock salt and think it's cool to slap your molds shut after you drop the pills.

[btroj]

Tim, my biggest challenge each year before deer season is deciding what gun to take. Rarely do I hunt one gun two years in a row. The only constant is that the Marlin 1894CB in 45 Colt always goes as a backup. Always

[MBTcustom]

Well, I can honestly say that as long as there's a scout in the safe, it's not going to be much of a decision for me LOL!
This rifle is the answer to the whole reason I became a gunsmith in the first place. I have been on a quest for the ultimate rifle. It needs to weigh less than 9lb, it needs to be short, it needs to be powerful (no .223 groundhog cartridges thank you very much), it needs to be beautiful, it needs to be tough as nails, it needs to be accurate (I think with a little TLC, I can improve on this), it needs to be versatile with loads, and it needs to be in a common caliber.
I settled on a choice between three rifles. The 1895 Marlin, the AR-10, or the M1A. I never thought I would get my hands on an M1A for anything I could afford, but the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. It's just a tool.....but I wanted it.
I considered many times selling every firearm I owned just to get enough money together for an M1A, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that.

However! The quest continues to maximise the accuracy of cast lead boolit rifles specifically. I'll let the other factors drag in order to promote that single objective. When I feel I have successfully managed to achieve that objective, I'll find another carrot on the end of the stick to chase around.

[MBTcustom]

No mike, I didn't want to take that one hunting. This is the stock that came on it. I thought about swapping, but I didn't want to get yours all dinged up. I'm glad I didn't swap them too, because the finish on this one got trashed in the rain. I'm going to bed the one you gave me for target work, and use this one as the rough and tumble option.

[Idaho Mule]

Good way to break in a "new" rifle. Congrats on the deer score, and I appreciate the full story and pics. JW

[cbrick]

No 30 cal molds? Shocking. Why didn't you mention that while you were here? I have 20+ 30 cal molds, let me know what your interested in trying and I'll send some off to ya. I also have a coffee can full of SAECO #315 that someone gave me years ago, I think they are lino but not sure. I never did anything with them simply because I hate lubing such a tapered boolit. Don't know if they would work in the M1A but you can try some if ya want. So, what 30 cal boolit do you want to try?

Rick

[Grandpas50AE]

Tim, great deer there buddy. I bet them tenderloins made great breakfast steaks. I'll be up in Mt. Ida come Friday for the opening Saturday of the ML season.

[horsesoldier]

Keep in mind schuster makes an adjustable gas plug.Its what I have on my rifle. I can shoot any 308 loads in it now.

[Browningshooter]

Congrats Bro! I'm lookin to bag a doe this weekend. I love a fat and tender doe in every way you could possibly think to consume venison..

[Pb2au]

nicely done sir!
I am ramping up for yet another year here in Ohio. Early Muzzleloader is coming up and I have a new to me flinty trade musket to try out!

[jaysouth]

Goodsteel,

Looks like you could have dropped a cinderblock and killed that one. Last year I was hunting a ladder stand an hour or so away from you. Around 10 O'clock, nary a single deer had crossed my field of view. About 20 minutes later, I was so intent on watching a hundred yards out that I did not see a small spike licking the bottom rung of my stand's ladder. He looked up when I snicked the safety off. It was the last thing he ever saw, but he was small. The lady at the processing plant asked me if he was suckling his mamma when I shot him. That stung but is the kind of humor you get from country folks. I made the whole carcass into gumbo which was all consumed before thanksgiving, two weeks later.

[carolina556]

Nice shot, and great to see people out shooting military rifles. I have a 1903 I want to take out and do the same thing with! Next purchase will probably be a M1 Garand as well but I wanted that classic bolt action. Hopefully the rest of your season is filled with a few more of these same size deer...nice job!

[smoked turkey]

Tim I know I'm late to this particular party but I wanted to join the others in saying congratulations for a nice doe with good eatin written all over her. That is exactly what I am looking for opening morning here. Good story. Man I was right there with you. I got almost as wet as you did it was so real.

[MBTcustom]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Now, dig if you will the picture:
Attachment 85397
I had about the same thing for breakfast this morning. This deer is so dad gum tender! The rear hams are as tender as the backstraps, and very juicy. Never had a deer this scrumptious before.

If you care to reproduce the homemade awesomeness up yonder, what you do is slice your deermeat across the grain about 1/4"-3/8" thick and throw it in the skillet. If you dont have a cast iron skillet, then disregard this recipe. You do not have my permission to use it. LOL!
Grab your jar of bacon drippings and throw in about a tablespoon. Chop up an onion and throw it in there too.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the onions are soft and the deer meat is done, use tongs to take out the big pieces, but leave as much juice in there as you can.
Pour in some water on top of the juices and mix it up real good.
Dust in a little bit of flour (a little bit goes a long way here, so dont overdo it!)
Keep the concoction moving till it simmers down to a pretty thick goo, then add water back to it. Do this three times.
After you add water the third time, watch the gravy for thickness. When it looks the way you like it, take it off the heat and spoon it on top of your deer meat and biscuits.
You're welcome.

[winelover]

Tim: Belated congrats on the deer. Don't know how I over looked this post. Too much hunting, I guess! I took this buck with that ROA, you admired, when you were here. Like yours, it dropped within 20 yards.



Load was : 30 grains of Pyrodex "P", wonder wad, under a Lee 220 grain conical and topped with a wonder seal.

Remington #10 cap



Winelover

[MBTcustom]

Ha! good on ya John! Meat in the freezer is never a bad thing! Done with a cap and ball pistol no less.

I really hope to shoot a deer with a pistol someday, but I'm going to have to lay out some cash for a good one. Still trying to decide between a Ruger blackhawk or a BFR. Oh well, I have plenty of time to decide that while I'm working on not being broke! LOL!

[1Shirt]

Nothing is ever wrong with a one shot bang flop kill with no loss of meat! Well done!
1Shirt!

[nanuk]

Where's the snow?

[MBTcustom]

Dude! This is Arkansas. We dont get snow till january/february. That day there was a wet, balmy, 60 degrees.
Yep, sure was cold, but i stuck it out anyway!
LOL!

[cbrick]

That's what I like about these guys from the Ozarks . . . They're tough!

So ya finally decided to handgun hunt huh? I'll loan ya one loaded with real boolits.

Rick