Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 21, 2012 16:52:16 GMT -5
Many of you know I recently sent and got back 2 model 97s from FA. My 45 Colt got a new barrel and my 357 got a new 38 special cylinder and an action job. However, while visiting with my friend Bob Baker and lamenting my leading issues he offered that the problem I was having might not lie with the barrel. He explained that he used a reamer to "ease" the abrupt shoulder that separated the chamber from the throat. Who am I to argue with Bob Baker?
Today I went out and was testing some loads in both of those sixguns. My 97 with the 38 special cylinder showed promise right from the get go. I hung a few Lee Martin style targets and here is the first group I shot with the 38 special. I was shooting a 125 grain swaged bullet on WW231 at very moderate velocity. If anything is going to lead, it would be a soft swaged bullet but these did not. To say I was pleased would be an understatement....
I fired a total of 35 of these swaged 38 loads and the barrel stayed nice, clean and sharp inside with no sign of leading. I swapped the 38 cylinder for the 357 magnum and tried some 110 grain 357s. I have tried this load in several sixguns but none seemed to like it, but I figured I didnt have anything to lose. This is the most consistent I have seen this load shoot. Of course I will need a lower front sight for it! If I can get either my buddy Glenn Swaggart or Scott Ambler to EVER invite me to Kansas to shoot Jackrabbits I may rezero this gun for this load....
I have also been working with this Mihec 45 Colt bullet with a maw for a hollowpoint. If you dont know about Mihec cramer style molds you are missing out big. Anyway, this bullet weighs about 218 grains and just screams, "shoot me! SHOOT ME!" It just fits in the model 97 cylinder and I have tried WC820 and H4227 in it so far without the results I am looking for.
I did try it in my Harton 45 Ruger 5.5" sixgun. 22.0 grains of 4227 yielded nice and tidy groups and bucked like a 101 year old mare named Buttermilk. Here is a pic of the target after several groups and sight adjustments to include a horrible flyer!!!
The Lee Martin style targets work quite well for me despite my eyesight issues. I wonder is a square bull in the center would make a difference. Im curious to know how many of you have tried this particular target and what you think of it?I fired between 80 and 100 rounds today and my 51 year old eyes sure seem to get fatigued. My Smith and Wessons didnt show up this week. Surely they will be here Monday and I will have more work to do. The big question in my mind is, what powder to try next to get that big Mihec HP to shoot out of my FA97 45? Here is a pic of the Harton 45 Colt.
Today I went out and was testing some loads in both of those sixguns. My 97 with the 38 special cylinder showed promise right from the get go. I hung a few Lee Martin style targets and here is the first group I shot with the 38 special. I was shooting a 125 grain swaged bullet on WW231 at very moderate velocity. If anything is going to lead, it would be a soft swaged bullet but these did not. To say I was pleased would be an understatement....
I fired a total of 35 of these swaged 38 loads and the barrel stayed nice, clean and sharp inside with no sign of leading. I swapped the 38 cylinder for the 357 magnum and tried some 110 grain 357s. I have tried this load in several sixguns but none seemed to like it, but I figured I didnt have anything to lose. This is the most consistent I have seen this load shoot. Of course I will need a lower front sight for it! If I can get either my buddy Glenn Swaggart or Scott Ambler to EVER invite me to Kansas to shoot Jackrabbits I may rezero this gun for this load....
I have also been working with this Mihec 45 Colt bullet with a maw for a hollowpoint. If you dont know about Mihec cramer style molds you are missing out big. Anyway, this bullet weighs about 218 grains and just screams, "shoot me! SHOOT ME!" It just fits in the model 97 cylinder and I have tried WC820 and H4227 in it so far without the results I am looking for.
I did try it in my Harton 45 Ruger 5.5" sixgun. 22.0 grains of 4227 yielded nice and tidy groups and bucked like a 101 year old mare named Buttermilk. Here is a pic of the target after several groups and sight adjustments to include a horrible flyer!!!
The Lee Martin style targets work quite well for me despite my eyesight issues. I wonder is a square bull in the center would make a difference. Im curious to know how many of you have tried this particular target and what you think of it?I fired between 80 and 100 rounds today and my 51 year old eyes sure seem to get fatigued. My Smith and Wessons didnt show up this week. Surely they will be here Monday and I will have more work to do. The big question in my mind is, what powder to try next to get that big Mihec HP to shoot out of my FA97 45? Here is a pic of the Harton 45 Colt.