Extra Low Cost options for volume shooting

[P Flados]

Range report #2:

I took the gun back to the range after polishing on the chamber some.

I tried a bunch of stuff including going down to 1.76 gr and 1.5 gr of D032 with the 55 gr bullet. Lower power loads seemed like ignition may have been getting less consistent. Accuracy was not so good and I seemed to be getting vertical stringing.

I also tried some loads with 78 gr PC bullets and warmer charges of D032. A 2.76 gr charge (QL: 1138 fps @ 13680 psi) shot better than the low power load and gave me my best 5 shot group of the day. A 3.0 gr charge (QL: 1212 fps @ 16284 psi) shot similar. Both of these extracted easy and are doing some amount of fireforming.

After seeing the vertical stringing and the improvement with the warmer loads, I went back and fire a bunch of rounds with the 55 gr bullet over 1.76 gr of D032, but made a point of tilting the gun up just prior to firing. The groups size improved and the vertical stringing went away.

Right now accuracy is ok but not as good as I want it. I took the gun apart and drilled and tapped for the front sight. I think I will shoot it with open sights and fire form loads for a while. After I get a pile of fire formed brass, I will put the scope back on and try to find a more accurate load. If things do not improve, I may make a chamber reamer and re-cut the chamber.

[ebb]

Texas by God has a post going about reform 256WIN from 357 mag brass. I know I said previously that I didn't want to use my 38 brass. A shortened 256 win on 38 special brass may be every thing I am looking for. Cheap case, easy to form (according to TBG), 25 caliber may be big enough to cast with my inexperience and fat busted up fingers, light powder charge. I love this forum and the crafty people that can overcome just about any problem.

[dverna]

Texas by God has a post going about reform 256WIN from 357 mag brass. I know I said previously that I didn't want to use my 38 brass. A shortened 256 win on 38 special brass may be every thing I am looking for. Cheap case, easy to form (according to TBG), 25 caliber may be big enough to cast with my inexperience and fat busted up fingers, light powder charge. I love this forum and the crafty people that can overcome just about any problem.

ebb,
If I wanted to travel this road, I would opt for the .30 Badger. There will be negligible savings in powder and lead with a .25 cal and a more issues with accuracy and "fiddling". The .30 cal. will be easier to form as well.

I looked really hard at the .30 Badger a few years ago but could not justify building a gun for it. It did not "pencil out" for me. I was plinking with 125 gr .38 Spls and 2.8 gr of powder. Back then lead was $1/lb, powder was $25/lb but primers were under $20/k. I would have to shoot a lot of rounds to break even by saving 1 gr of powder and 30 gr of lead over the .38's.

[uscra112]

There has been at least one thread here in years past touting the .25 ACP. Nothing to modify, just load and shoot. My problem would be getting any of my powder measures to accurately deliver a charge that small.

[jdgabbard]

There has been at least one thread here in years past touting the .25 ACP. Nothing to modify, just load and shoot. My problem would be getting any of my powder measures to accurately deliver a charge that small.

Yeah, might be easier to use a scoop for that one.

[P Flados]

Update:

Best accuracy with the tumble lube 55 gr NLG so far has been with 2.0 gr of Titegroup. I think I am getting better ignition at the very low chamber pressures with this powder than with the small charges of Lovex D032 I tried.

My 78 gr and 85 gr PC coated bullets under enough D032 for fireforming shoot good also. I am about half way through "fireforming" my big initial batch of brass.

I did thread the end of the insert and made a short barrel nut that looks somewhat similar to a thread protector.

[Barry54]

I’d like to see a photo of it.

[P Flados]

I’d like to see a photo of it.

I posted a picture of the gun below, but here is an updated one with the barrel nut.



The above is nothing "special" to look at. What is more special to me is:



That is about 300 completed rounds with the 55 gr tumble lubed NLG bullet.

I also have around 400 "in process" rounds. About 150 rounds that have been loaded with a 78 gr PC bullet and 3.0 gr D-032 (est. 1210 fps at 16,200 psi) that I use for fire forming. About 100 rounds fired once, but not trimmed yet. And finally I have around 150 rounds that have been formed but not loaded for the first firing.

[uscra112]

It is a cute little thing. I'll admit. If it's accurate when loaded subsonic it might he very good for control of yard pests in populated areas.

[Barry54]

I’ll claim first place in line if the time comes that you get tired of it.

True wildcat on a Contender. Like peas in a pod!

Have you tried the spectrum of powder from fastest on hand to slow enough for 100% fill? Curious which powder gives 100% fill and stays within safe pressure?

I bet something like 3N38 might post some good velocity with a 110 grain varminter.

[P Flados]

I really have no interest in pushing this one.

If were ever to take it for "a stroll in the woods", I could choose between using the 85 gr bullet and just enough TG to stay subsonic, or go with D-032 under the 78 gr loaded for anywhere from 1200 to 1500 fps or so. I would expect either would be more effective than a 22 LR out to distances where I would be limited by field accuracy.

However, I would not consider a 10" contender as ideal for this usage. I remember doing this over 40 years ago (loaded with 38s), but it really is "too big" when compared to a 3" or 4" 32 revolver and no near as effective for offhand shooting as a carbine.

[uscra112]

..... no near as effective for offhand shooting as a carbine.

I made that mistake, too. Set up a Contender in .22 K-Hornet for garden defense, and quickly found that offhand snap shots at fleeing woodchucks were impossible. Replaced it with a carbine-size Savage-Stevens in .223, downloading the ammo to approximate .22 Magnum.

But the O.P.'s intention was plinking, so it still works for him.

[2TM101]

You almost made me spit out my morning coffee. I get admonished for "pumping up air guns" for cheap shooting, and you shoot plastic beads. You WIN!!!!

Marbles, Ball Bearings, clay beads, bullets that someone else already shot, even your airsoft beads, just 400fps faster. 3000 rounds on Amazon are $17.

When I go to the range everyone else is going pop pop pop with Glock 17's, I haul out .60 flintlock pistols, full auto pellet guns... and stuff like this.