jeffh
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Post by jeffh on Oct 8, 2023 16:13:11 GMT -5
This started coming back to me and I searched a bit. When I was messing with the 300 BLK, the 300/221Rimmed haad come up a few times but didn't get much traction because most were using the BLK in ARs.
I tried to generate some interest in the 300 BLK on a forum back then as a neat way to have a 32-20 with cheap, accessible brass. No interest.
I should have paid closer attention to the 300/221 then, but 357 Max brass was a dicey affair and I was making "free" BLK brass from 5.56 range brass.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 8, 2023 16:59:47 GMT -5
Lil Gun is a tremendous performer in the 300 Blackout. It also likes a longer barrel and this one is 24", that's 8" longer than most test barrels.
I've got little doubt that 2500 fps is likely with a 125 grn Bullet.
I've got an obscene amount of 155 grn Coated Cast Bullets. I figure they'll do about the same velocity as a 357 Magnum 158 grn in a Carbine.
I had this barrel built with a 1-10". The faster twist just isn't necessary with the loads I'll be using.
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jeffh
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Post by jeffh on Oct 8, 2023 18:02:41 GMT -5
24" barrel?
That's what I was thinking, but I want one that's tapered this time. My 30/30 is 24" and NOT tapered. It sure handles nicely, shoots nicely, hangs well for off-hand, but weighs about 6.5# scoped. Something like this, I'd like it to be lighter.
I like the 1:10" idea too. I don't think the really fast twist does much for stuff under 220 grains. I'm shooting 165s at sub-sonic levels in the 30/30 and see no sign of bullets wobbling on any targets I've shot. It shoots 118 grain RFNs extremely well also, but I've never chronographed them and haven't seen data on such, so I'm not even sure what to guess they're doing.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 9, 2023 12:31:05 GMT -5
Case forming is simple as expected... 1) Set shoulder in right location using 30 Mauser Form Die. 2) Trim to length. 3) Size in FL Die with decapping pin removed. 4) Trim in case trimmer.
Using 2400 Powder behind CheyCast 155 grn Coated Cast... 1) 10.5 grn 1560 fps 2) 11.0 grn 1620 fps 3) 11.5 grn 1660 fps 4) 12.0 grn 1720 fps.
Hornady Manual list 13.2 grn of 2400 as maximum with this bullet weight. But, I'm stopping here. This is cast bullets and I easily reached my goal.
No leading at all with this combination.
Lil Gun and 125 grn Jacketed. Hornady lists 20.0 grn as maximum, Hodgdon list 21.0 grn as maximum. Both are heavily compressed. Since i don't care for compressed loads, i used 18.5 grn to almost touch the base of the bullet. This combination produced 2348 fps. I'm good with this being maximum.
Another day I'll try Unique and light bullets to mimic the old 32-20...
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Post by x101airborne on Oct 9, 2023 15:10:51 GMT -5
At that velocity if you are wanting to hunt with it, try the Hornady 110 and 125 SST. They are light construction bullets and work great hunting South Texas goats (Whitetail). The 125's are what my son used on his first 10 hogs and first couple deer. Worked fantastic!
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 9, 2023 15:16:46 GMT -5
At that velocity if you are wanting to hunt with it, try the Hornady 110 and 125 SST. They are light construction bullets and work great hunting South Texas goats (Whitetail). The 125's are what my son used on his first 10 hogs and first couple deer. Worked fantastic! Testing was done with the Hornady SST 125 grn...
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Post by kevshell on Oct 9, 2023 16:05:04 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 9, 2023 17:14:30 GMT -5
Uberti discontinued the Baby Rolling Blocks. I've got them in a number of calibers, both rifle and pistol configuration.
My 357 Magnum is the 26" Octagon Barrel. I'd add that 22" round barrel in a heartbeat if they were available.
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Aggie01
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Post by Aggie01 on Oct 10, 2023 15:21:16 GMT -5
I filled out a Form 1 on my Encore pistol since it was wearing a AR style pistol grip stock with a brace. Should be flexible fun if/when that stamp ever comes back.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 10, 2023 19:14:31 GMT -5
I fully realize sex, horsepower and velocity sells. I get it...
But, truth is, a modest powered load gets far more use.
Many don't seem to understand a small game load and a varmint load are different.
The coated cast bullets have been a game changer in the small game loads.
For decades, a few select people have seen these advantages. Ruger #1s, Rolling Blocks and such have been turned into small game rifles.
The Henry Steel in 327 Federal is nearly perfect for a factory gun. But, offerings are slim. The rimfires have taken their toll.
But, custom builders keep us going. A great idea never really goes away...
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jeffh
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Post by jeffh on Oct 11, 2023 8:07:38 GMT -5
............... I think the hornet or 30/30 could be versatile.
NO DOUBT!
I don't want to frag this thread off course, but I have played with the 30/30 in this role since the mid-seventies - with a long pause after I let my dad convince me there were better/faster things - and got back to it several years ago when he couldn't shoot any more.
Cast in the 30/30 at full-factory-level to 32 Mag-level is easy and the accuracy I get (Contender Carbine) makes me feel like I've actually learned something over the past many decades.
Granted, the smaller cases will be more efficient, but one can easily cost you a brick of primers to get through it, and if a 30/0 is what you've got, you can still play the Rook Rifle game.
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jeffh
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Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Oct 11, 2023 8:14:14 GMT -5
I filled out a Form 1 on my Encore pistol since it was wearing a AR style pistol grip stock with a brace. Should be flexible fun if/when that stamp ever comes back.
I'm close to doing this for an SBR in 357 Mag, but the weirdness of dedicating a frame to the restrictions is .... just weird. A benign action anyone can easily and legally use as a pistol OR rifle with an allen wrench and a few minutes time.
Ed Harris' "Lettuce Protector" has a 26" or 28" barrel and is very quiet. Mine has a 18" barrel, and with the can, is probably quieter, but in the end, mine is the same gangly overall length and comes with silly expectations and precautions which can be irksome. Thankfully, the CAN itself is the restricted item and not the frame.
Doing a stamp, or the things you can do only with a stamp, are really cool things one can do with a Contender or Encore - or Handi, for that matter.
Good luck on the stamp and I hope your wait isn't ridiculous.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 11, 2023 8:20:46 GMT -5
I'm also in agreement with the 30-30 being a first class cast bullet gun.
I've told several who asked about inexpensive Rook Rifles to buy the Henry Single Shot in 30-30 or 357 Magnum.
Both make excellent cast bullet guns and can perform double duty on bigger game.
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jeffh
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Post by jeffh on Oct 11, 2023 8:24:16 GMT -5
..... But, truth is, a modest powered load gets far more use. Many don't seem to understand a small game load and a varmint load are different. .....
Both points really ring a bell with me. My 357 Carbine gets used ten times more than all the other stuff I still have put together and made the paring down of my personal battery pretty painless. MANY other things became superfluous to me once I nailed down the configuration.
The vast majority of the loads I shoot come down to two loads:
148 grain WC (LEE), unsized and PC'd or TL'd over 3.3 grains of Unique;
180 grain WFN (NOE), .358" or .359", PC'd or TL'd over 4.5 grains of Unique
The 180 also is a very useful load in my 3", 5-shot 357 revolver.
IF I need more punch for more range, I have the room to do so. The 30s and 32s are much more cool in this context, but the 357 offers a small benefit in that you can get some barrels without going custom if you can't swing it. Not the absolute/purest ideal, but gets one in the game, so to speak, so don't take this to mean that the 357 is a "better" Rook Rifle round - it just comes with a few palatable compromises which let you have some similar fun.
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jeffh
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Post by jeffh on Oct 11, 2023 8:25:17 GMT -5
I'm also in agreement with the 30-30 being a first class cast bullet gun. I've told several who asked about inexpensive Rook Rifles to buy the Henry Single Shot in 30-30 or 357 Magnum. Both make excellent cast bullet guns and can perform double duty on bigger game.
LOL!
I could have saved that last post if I'd lingered a moment.
Much more succinctly stated!
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