40-65 Bullets

[Shtgnr]

Has anyone had any experience with the Bear Creek 235gr RNFP bullets in 40-65? A friend left me a B78 with a Ron Long Custom heavy Octagon barrel and before any load info could be handed down to me, my friend passed away, so I am starting almost from scratch. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bullshop]

If that rifle was rebarreled by Ron Long I will bet it is a fast twist intended for long range. Also being custom without slugging there is no way to know what bore/groove diameters are.
There can be quite a variation between old and new barrels for the caliber.
If I were you for best results (the first time) I would slug the bore and also determine the twist.
With that done if you are unable to find something to ---FIT--- your needs I can supply what you need what ever that turns out to be.

[Shtgnr]

Thanks Bullshop, I plan on starting there. I plan on taking it slow.

[Boz330]

I'm with Dan on the fast twist barrel if Ron Long rebarreled it. More than likely the groove is .408 with a 16 or maybe 18 twist. I would guess that a 300 gr boolit or heavier is going to be about your minimum for good accuracy. Unless you are set on smokeless a case full of 2 F BP is a good place to start with a .060 veggie wad on top of the powder. For smokeless 12gr of Unigue is a good starter.

Bob

[Bullshop]

I agree, 300gn minimum as I think it was most likely intended for 400+ gn boolits.

[Boz330]

Here is a web site that may be of help in determining boolit length. http://www.tmtpages.com/twistrate.htm Just plug in the numbers and it will give you the optimum solution.

Bob

[Shtgnr]

What I have found so far, barrel is .408 w/ 18 twist. Will probably shoot mid 300 or 400 gr boolits with smokeless, probably use 4759 as I have some on hand. I also have the RCBS Ron Long 408 Die set so hopefully I should be good to go as soon as I get some bullets. Will report back with results, but may be awhile as the heat is here and I don't do much shooting in the heat.
Bill

[Bullshop]

Now you have to decide on GG boolits or PP or both?

[Shtgnr]

I think I will stick to the gg boolits, probably the moly coated Bear creek 400 gr boolits. May get into casting somewhere down the road though. I also have a #1 in 32-40 that shoots well with the bear creek 170 gr boolits, so the familiarity is already there.

[Shtgnr]

It seems I did not measure correctly. After checking and rechecking, the barrel on this gun is .406. So will go with 400 gr boolits sized 407 or 408.