Char-Gar
05-26-2006, 01:15 PM
Today on my weekly trip to the range, I took a Winchester 95 in 30 US (30-40) This rifle was made in 1898 and in very good condtion with about 70% blue on the receiver and 80% on the barrel. The stock has the original Winchester varnish. The only hicky is somebody cut the barrel back to 24" and installed a ramp front sight. At the same time, they installed a Lyman 77 Globe front sight on the rear of t he bolt. This gives an apeture rear sight. Oh well, I paid $600.00 for it in 2000 and figure I didn't get bit.
It has lived in my safe until today when it made it's maiden trip to the range. The load was a good Loverine bullet and 16/2400. A nice soft load that is almost guaranteed to produce good results.
Well the 50 yards groups were 3"s. What a bummer!!!
Back at the house, I thought I would clean it as I do all my rifles. After Ed's Red had taken out most of the powder fouling, just for fun I put a little Sweets on a loose patch and down the bore it went.
Blue..blue..blue.. and more blue!!! I always clean the bore of a new rifle down to steel..Always!!! But this time I didn't!! It is loaded with crud.
I have a chore ahead of me, but I am much more sanguine now about this rifle's potential. 3" nice round groups from a heavy metal fouled bore ain't that bad.
I committed the sin of assumption and forgot the basics...bad on me!!!
It has lived in my safe until today when it made it's maiden trip to the range. The load was a good Loverine bullet and 16/2400. A nice soft load that is almost guaranteed to produce good results.
Well the 50 yards groups were 3"s. What a bummer!!!
Back at the house, I thought I would clean it as I do all my rifles. After Ed's Red had taken out most of the powder fouling, just for fun I put a little Sweets on a loose patch and down the bore it went.
Blue..blue..blue.. and more blue!!! I always clean the bore of a new rifle down to steel..Always!!! But this time I didn't!! It is loaded with crud.
I have a chore ahead of me, but I am much more sanguine now about this rifle's potential. 3" nice round groups from a heavy metal fouled bore ain't that bad.
I committed the sin of assumption and forgot the basics...bad on me!!!