David Bradshaw Photos - Vol. XVI

[whitworth]

Jul 2, 2013 6:10:19 GMT -5 COR said:

Great shooting and great pics too.

Your everyday groups in bad wind rival my best days under perfect conditions and numerous spotter rounds....that's some stone cold shooting. I am just happey to hit the steel swinger beyond 200yds.

Thanks for sharing that.

I'm gonna go practice more...

I find David's abilities humbling.......

Nice shooting, Bradshaw!

[bradshaw]

COR.... there is no such thing as an "easy shot." Every time I get near a trigger it's work. Either Breathe and Squeeze like you mean business, or stay home. Not directing that comment at you; just a statement on life. I was at a Bianchi Cup many years ago when a top ranked speed shooter basically refused to take his relay on the line because it was raining. "Give my slot to some no-name shooter," was his selfish reasoning, so he could shoot when the rain cleared. One may be a great shot when conditions are perfect, but I'd rather be a decent shot under all conditions. Think of a coyote or a deer, every hair on its body reads the wind.

The word "plinking" is not in my vocabulary, but I know the definition: The local sheriff's department was involved in the past year in three shootings. Officers MISSED 89 PERCENT of their shots. A pathetic 10-percent hit ratio---TEN SHOTS for ONE HIT! Us folk who believe in MARKSMANSHIP cannot blend in with the lowest common denominator. We cannot save people who don't want to be saved. We work for a few.

Nail that gong!
David Bradshaw

[COR]

Sage wisdom...and I truly appreciate it.

[sathington]

Truly memorable and sage advice, Mr. Bradshaw. Thank you for sharing. If only that damn gong didn't keep moving on me.

[alukban]

I wanna be Bradshaw when I grow up

[garyg]

Jul 1, 2013 20:38:21 GMT -5 Lee Martin said:

Spectacular shooting as always David. I appreciate you sharing your range photos and encourage others to do the same. Theory and internet discussion is for naught unless we apply it.

And your 44 seems quite happy with that 1:16 tube. Ed Shilen has shipped dozens of barrels to Arlington, VA since the 1970's and we've never felt the need to send one back. Their quality, and consistency for that matter, are first rate.


-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time,"


Someone wanted a Milt Morrison custom single action.  I have one for sale.  Please contact me at [e-mail]

[bradshaw]

Greg.... according to Freedom Arms, this was the first Dick Casull M-83 chambered not in .454 Casull. It had a 10-inch barrel, 1:24 twist, just like the .454 Casull. I also campaigned for a hardened forcing cone insert (which creates about a quarter-inch freebore) with mere suggestion of a forcing cone. I would later determine the forcing cone insert unnecessary to prevent BARREL FACE erosion with the stainless steel.

This revolver came per request with a Bo-Mar sight, for which Freedom Arms made a stainless steel base. Bo-Mar made the finest adjustable sight at the time, according to Jerry Moran copied from a machinist named Elliason. The Bo-Mar. Adjustments measure a uniform .002-inch per click, give or take a fraction thereof. The idea was to incorporate improvements necessary for the highest level of powder burning in handgun silhouette. It shot very well. Freedom Arms made a 10-inch .454 for John Taffin, also with the Bo-Mar and target blade. I had asked FA president Wayne Baker what could be done to reduce cost without compromising performance. Without hesitation, Wayne said the Freedom Arms finish is labor intensive; that a dramatic cut in price could be made through a bead blast finish. Silhouetters would appreciate that.

As I had introduced Wayne Baker and Pachmayr president Bruce Baker (no relation), a Pachmayr grip was very likely to be part of the price reduction in offering a Field Grade Model 83 for silhouette shooters.

There were times I outshot the revolver, and as time and rounds wore on, the situation became untenable. It came to a head during a shootoff where my LETOFF and FOLLOW THROUGH were tighter than my hits. I was using all the target and forced myself to shoot inside my sight picture. Still, the bullets explored the little shootoff targets like ants on a picnic blanket. I held on by one shot. When I retired from the competitive firing line, I called John Taffin. Told John I want the gun barreled to my specifications. “I know the work you want,” said John. “Call Jim Stroh.”

I asked Stroh to order a Shilen stainless steel pullman axle, follow the .011-inch (memory says) Freedom Arms taper from frame to end of ejector housing. From ejector to muzzle, full 1.25” diameter, no taper. 11-degree crown with sharp edge. The forcing cone runs a VERY SHORT 11-degree included angle. Cylinder gap less than .002”. Don’t touch my trigger job.

A forward sling swivel slightly behind muzzle. A beefy rear sling swivel to take the place of the forward guard screw. Did not want anything on the butt; when I bag a gun like that I want a butt bag. And, grips would be swapped between factory wood and Pachmayr neoprene. Stroh machined swivels from bar stock, and cut a tiny shoulder on the barrel to act as a RECOIL SHOULDER to prevent contact between ejector housing and the full diameter shoulder on the barrel.

Many scopes have been shot on this .44, including but possibly not limited to: Bausch & Lomb 2-6x32mm, Nikon 2x19mm, Leupold 4x28mm IER with target turrets, Burris 5x, a couple of Weaver Quick Points (electrical red dot), and the Leupold 2.5-8x34mm with target turrets and dot reticle. One inch and sub-inch 5x5 groups have been sandbagged @ 100 yards with the B&L 2-6x, Nikon 2x, one of the Weaver Quik Points, and the Leupold 2.5-8x34mm LER with target turrets.

1-inch 5x5 @ 100 yards
On the subject of tiny groups @ 100 yards, let’s get one thing straight. There is no such thing as doing this shooting “on demand.” Leastwise, not with my limited ability. Nor have I seen it from any other homo sapiens. Show me a silhouette champion who hasn’t watched a puff of breeze bend a bullet down yonder. Compared to slippery rifle projectiles, revolver shooters throw melons downrange. Watched a fat sheriff gets on TV take credit after someone else caught the crook, boasting, “I rather be lucky than good any day.” Could be the only thing he ever won was a pie eating contest.

Everything falls into place for a superb shot, or a great group. Accuracy begins with the REVOLVER. Without which the best BULLET doesn’t fly straight. An accurate bullet is next. In a consistent load. Brought into play by a SHOOTER.
David Bradshaw

[tdbarton]

The barrel is reminiscent of the “running boar” rifle barrels. Very cool concept and execution. And, of course, insane shooting.