Tatume
02-17-2015, 08:07 PM
Hello Folks,
Today the postal carrier came in the snow to get my CPA Stevens 44-1/2 rifle. It’s being returned to Gail and Paul Shuttleworth to be rebarreled. Of course, I’ll keep the original 45-70 barrel too, as it is superbly accurate.
The chambering is the 348 Winchester cartridge, which I think will make an outstanding cast bullet platform. The bullet is relatively large and easy to cast, yet small enough that 2400 – 2500 fps is easily within its reach. I already have most of the components to load for the rifle, as I picked up 200 cases, the dies, and an RCBS 348-200-FN mold when I saw them for sale a year ago. Blammer has shipped 3000 gas checks, and Buckshot is making a 0.350” sizer die for me (that letter went in the same mail as the rifle). I’m excited about the possibilities.
The barrel will be the #1 part octagon tapered contour at 26”, which will reduce the weight of the rifle by about one pound. The 44-1/2 is a heavy gun, and that pound is meaningful. I’ve asked that it be sent to me without a front sight, as I’m going to fit a blade from XS Sights. The blade will be adjusted to work with the Baldwin mid-range tang sight already on the rifle.
Now comes the hard part, waiting for the rifle and getting it set up to hunt.
Take care, Tom
Today the postal carrier came in the snow to get my CPA Stevens 44-1/2 rifle. It’s being returned to Gail and Paul Shuttleworth to be rebarreled. Of course, I’ll keep the original 45-70 barrel too, as it is superbly accurate.
The chambering is the 348 Winchester cartridge, which I think will make an outstanding cast bullet platform. The bullet is relatively large and easy to cast, yet small enough that 2400 – 2500 fps is easily within its reach. I already have most of the components to load for the rifle, as I picked up 200 cases, the dies, and an RCBS 348-200-FN mold when I saw them for sale a year ago. Blammer has shipped 3000 gas checks, and Buckshot is making a 0.350” sizer die for me (that letter went in the same mail as the rifle). I’m excited about the possibilities.
The barrel will be the #1 part octagon tapered contour at 26”, which will reduce the weight of the rifle by about one pound. The 44-1/2 is a heavy gun, and that pound is meaningful. I’ve asked that it be sent to me without a front sight, as I’m going to fit a blade from XS Sights. The blade will be adjusted to work with the Baldwin mid-range tang sight already on the rifle.
Now comes the hard part, waiting for the rifle and getting it set up to hunt.
Take care, Tom