Post by aus71383 on Mar 20, 2017 23:22:21 GMT -5
I loaded up another 10 rounds of 435 gr CP WFNGC and 20.0 gr Blue Dot. They all shot just fine....I will have to make some sight adjustments once I settle on a load, for now these are hitting about 4" low and 4" left at 15 yards a.k.a. not even close to point of aim. They are consistent though - I can stack them right on top of one another at that range.
I started in on some 5744 loads too - partly because I think it's wise to ease into the power and recoil - but also because I bought the powder for this gun, so I might as well use some of it. I used another 15 of the 435 gr CP WFNGC bullets and made 5 each with 33.8, 34.3, and 34.8 grains of 5744. All chambered and fired just fine, recoil was "no big deal" but still a fun ride and I wouldn't want to shoot it all day. One of the 33.8 grain cases may have a pierced primer - not sure what to attribute that to, but it didn't concern me when I saw it. Maybe I'm being unreasonable though. I could try to be logical and say that it could have been caused by a spike in pressure because of less powder density in the case. However - that was the starting load, and I'm still working up, and haven't seen any signs of high pressure or trouble otherwise. The Accurate Powder data
Some other loads I made with 5744 but using the 525 gr CP WFNGC bullets. 5 each at 27.0, 27.5, 28.0, and 28.5 grains. Out of the 20 rounds, only 15 would chamber. Disappointing to say the least. Part of the problem is the excessively tight headspace problem that I have going on. The gun was built based on Starline minimum rim thickness. Because the run of brass that I am using has a slightly thicker rim (they guarantee individual runs within +/-.01 inch rim thickness, but subsequent runs are +/- .05 inch - or at least that's how I am remembering it. When it first popped up I called Jack Huntington about it and he explained why that can happen. I do still plan on taking him up on his offer - he said I could send him my brass and he would trim the front edge of the case rim to the appropriate thickness to be able to rotate the cylinder without brass rubbing on the recoil shield. However, after the 525 gr bullets not chambering, I'm wondering if I should ask him to inside neck ream them too. The 525 bullets do bulge the cases slightly. I have the rounds that wouldn't chamber sitting in the box still - when I get my calipers out I'll measure them and see how far they are really distorted outside of normal case dimensions.
I remember reading something Lee Martin wrote where he mentioned full length sizing his bullets after seating and crimping - but when I mentioned it to Jack Huntington he said either not to or that I shouldn't need to. Either way I sort of put it on the back burner in my mind. This update is long overdue - I fired these rounds off over a month ago. However - with the next step being shipping my brass down to JRH, it may be a while yet until the next update. I hope to work my way up to full power loads, regulate my sights with both full power and "plinking" loads and have interchangeable front sight posts for each load - and then carry the thing around with me in the woods! Right now it takes two hands to pull the hammer back half the time - one hand easing the cylinder along.....the headspace is way too tight. Not to mention - the Barranti rig that is in the works for it may be a while yet, so I don't have to rush!
I started in on some 5744 loads too - partly because I think it's wise to ease into the power and recoil - but also because I bought the powder for this gun, so I might as well use some of it. I used another 15 of the 435 gr CP WFNGC bullets and made 5 each with 33.8, 34.3, and 34.8 grains of 5744. All chambered and fired just fine, recoil was "no big deal" but still a fun ride and I wouldn't want to shoot it all day. One of the 33.8 grain cases may have a pierced primer - not sure what to attribute that to, but it didn't concern me when I saw it. Maybe I'm being unreasonable though. I could try to be logical and say that it could have been caused by a spike in pressure because of less powder density in the case. However - that was the starting load, and I'm still working up, and haven't seen any signs of high pressure or trouble otherwise. The Accurate Powder data
Some other loads I made with 5744 but using the 525 gr CP WFNGC bullets. 5 each at 27.0, 27.5, 28.0, and 28.5 grains. Out of the 20 rounds, only 15 would chamber. Disappointing to say the least. Part of the problem is the excessively tight headspace problem that I have going on. The gun was built based on Starline minimum rim thickness. Because the run of brass that I am using has a slightly thicker rim (they guarantee individual runs within +/-.01 inch rim thickness, but subsequent runs are +/- .05 inch - or at least that's how I am remembering it. When it first popped up I called Jack Huntington about it and he explained why that can happen. I do still plan on taking him up on his offer - he said I could send him my brass and he would trim the front edge of the case rim to the appropriate thickness to be able to rotate the cylinder without brass rubbing on the recoil shield. However, after the 525 gr bullets not chambering, I'm wondering if I should ask him to inside neck ream them too. The 525 bullets do bulge the cases slightly. I have the rounds that wouldn't chamber sitting in the box still - when I get my calipers out I'll measure them and see how far they are really distorted outside of normal case dimensions.
I remember reading something Lee Martin wrote where he mentioned full length sizing his bullets after seating and crimping - but when I mentioned it to Jack Huntington he said either not to or that I shouldn't need to. Either way I sort of put it on the back burner in my mind. This update is long overdue - I fired these rounds off over a month ago. However - with the next step being shipping my brass down to JRH, it may be a while yet until the next update. I hope to work my way up to full power loads, regulate my sights with both full power and "plinking" loads and have interchangeable front sight posts for each load - and then carry the thing around with me in the woods! Right now it takes two hands to pull the hammer back half the time - one hand easing the cylinder along.....the headspace is way too tight. Not to mention - the Barranti rig that is in the works for it may be a while yet, so I don't have to rush!
