gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Aug 27, 2022 22:04:25 GMT -5
Been extremely pleased with my Labradar and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Fast setup, easy to use and nearly impossible to shoot by accident.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Aug 17, 2022 4:51:55 GMT -5
Mine is a 5 shot. I run 475 L brass thru the resizing die and it works perfect.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Aug 16, 2022 22:41:24 GMT -5
Interesting he has a 458-400 for sale. I have one in blue but haven't seen another one for sale.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Aug 22, 2021 23:40:21 GMT -5
I size to .475 or .476 depending on the bullet design. Best to load one round first and use the cylinder as a go/no go gauge to make sure the round chambers properly. FA’s are tight and .001 can make a difference between chambering or not.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on May 6, 2021 0:01:36 GMT -5
I would try both loads and see what shoots better in your gun. I lean towards 4227.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on May 4, 2021 22:37:14 GMT -5
I have an LBT mold that casts a 475 453 grain WLN-GC. In a 7.5” Freedom Arms I average 1141 fps with 14 grains of HS-6 and 1135 fps with 22 grains of IMR-4227. 21 grains of IMR-4227 averaged 1096 fps. Standard deviation ran from 6.3 to 13 and accuracy was excellent. In a 5.5” barrel 21 grains of IMR-4227 averaged 1039 fps.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Apr 14, 2021 9:24:03 GMT -5
This is Veral Smith’s advice from LBT Mold;
Gas Check or Plainbase? We recommend gas checks without reservation under the following conditions:
“If velocities will exceed 1400 to 1600 fps, or estimated chamber pressure will exceed about 35,000/40,000 psi. For velocities over 1000 fps if shooting sequence will be rapid enough to heat the barrel until uncomfortable for the hands, and especially so if atmosphere temperatures will exceed 90 deg F. In revolvers with notably misaligned cylinder throats. In almost all new handguns which haven’t had the bore smoothed by lapping. (Extensive jacketed bullet use helps smooth a little.) For anyone who shoots so little that GC cost isn’t a concern, and especially so for beginners loading cast bullets. Whenever optimum accuracy, and, or, ease of load development takes precedence over slight higher cost and production effort. When desirable to use one bullet and load in several guns of the same caliber.”
I use gas checks on all my molds figuring at worst it doesn’t hurt and in most cases it probably helps in varying degrees.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Apr 4, 2021 9:47:56 GMT -5
Thanks Trapr, should be a perfect hunting revolver. I just spoke to Jack about building me a Dan Wesson 414 Supermag. Hardly see any for sale and the few I have brought BIG bucks. Always been a fan of the 41 and it really performs with 250-300 grain bullets.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Apr 2, 2021 23:24:52 GMT -5
Additional details on the 414 SM build??
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Mar 30, 2021 14:47:25 GMT -5
I started off with the Smith & Wesson 22 Jet. I had a 6" and a 8 3/8" with a good supply of brass. Both guns were sensitive to case setback and I was never really happy with the accuracy. I tried a number of loads but standard deviation of most loads ran in the neighborhood of 100. Finally I sold the whole lot and went thru the process your going thru now. I ended up buying the Freedom Arms 224-327. Haven't been working with it long but accuracy has been excellent with standard deviation running 15-25 with most loads. Velocity runs approximately 1900 to 2200 with a 40 grain bullet out of a 7.5" barrel. Brass is not a big deal to form and I enjoy that kind of thing anyway. I have run into case setback on a couple of occasions but I think its more of an issue of me fine tuning my technique than a chronic problem.I agree it won't necessarily do anything I can't do with a 327 but not looking to consolidate. Its a hell of a lot of fun and I'm very pleased with it. I settled on 11.2 grains of IMR-4227 with a 40 grain Berger at 2126 fps and now need to go find some gophers and prairie dogs. Sierra 40 grain Blitzkings also shoot extremely well but I can't find any more at the moment.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Mar 23, 2021 20:31:47 GMT -5
Have mine set up with a 4x Leupold and it’s a tack driver. Flat shooting, no recoil and hell on small critters.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Mar 23, 2021 20:21:40 GMT -5
I have one and just started working with it. I have had no trouble forming brass. I take the decapping rod out of the sizing die and run the brass thru. Then replace it and run them thru again, trim, load and off to the range. I have run into set back issues with clean brass and a clean cylinder. I think I have to be more diligent cleaning all lube off the brass. Once the cylinder was a bit dirty I had no issues. Accuracy was excellent using both IMR 4227 and AA 1680 with Berger 40 grain HP’s or Sierra 40 grain Blitzkings. Only other bullet tried were Barnes 36 grain Varmint Grenades but accuracy was terrible. Mine has a 7.5” barrel and velocities ran between 1900 to 2200 fps. Hope to get out soon and see how it performs on gophers and prairie dogs. If your looking for something different it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Feb 23, 2021 13:35:32 GMT -5
I'll take a 4 cavity GCHP, thank you. GJNESQ13 at gmail dot com
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Feb 3, 2021 10:56:52 GMT -5
I just found no need for more power than 1100-1200 fps with cast lead flat nose bullets. I have shot elk, deer and hogs and usually get full penetration and they don’t go very far.
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gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Feb 2, 2021 14:00:42 GMT -5
I have one and have been happily shooting it with Ken O' Neils suggested load of 21 grains 0f 2400 with the Speer 325 HP at 1127 fps. As bullets get harder to find I've been debating buying a 356 grain Corder designed mold from Accurate Molds. My question is does anyone have any experience shooting cast bullets in the 50 AE Freedom Arms? If so just wondering what loads/bullets you're using and what kind of success you have had. Are cast bullets more likely to jump the taper crimp than copper? Not looking for any more than 1100-1200fps. Thank you for any insight.
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