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Post by Lee Martin on Aug 27, 2015 19:31:49 GMT -5
New Range, New Bench – Step 14 ________________________________________ We then moved to the ridge cap. Instead of toeing nails into the upright, dad fabricated metal brackets:   Setting the peak:   The top beam rests in between the brackets and is held with 1/2” bolts:   Each side was reinforced with a second 2 x 4:  Cutting and notching the rafters:    This is as far as we got day #1. We’ll finish the rest soon.  -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by cherokeetracker on Aug 29, 2015 14:56:43 GMT -5
This is looking good. I am glad for your sake, that you don't to do the TEXAS reinforcements ( Weld it up all out of metal) because of our Tornadoes and High Winds. I just wish that I was there to help. Lee I can hear you now,,, Well Dad, I would help more, but somebodies got to take the photos. Just kidding as usual.
Charles
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 8, 2015 19:13:29 GMT -5
New Range, New Bench – Step 15 _______________________________________ This past weekend we finished framing the roof. Notching the rafters:   Cross-bracing installed:   1” x 6” boards then connected the rafters length-wise. They not only serve as anchor points for the roofing but add rigidity:   -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 16, 2015 20:21:16 GMT -5
New Range, New Bench – Step 15 _________________________________________ Dad doesn’t like heights so I did everything above 7 feet. Last Sunday we finished laying down the 1”x6” cross braces:   The ends were boxed with the same 1”x6” pressure treated boards:  Drip edge installed:    Secondary braces were added to each gable:  -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 16, 2015 20:22:36 GMT -5
New Range, New Bench – Step 16 ______________________________________________ I decided on corrugated tin for the roof:  The panels were screwed into the wood, seven sheets to a side:  We fabricated the cap pieces ourselves out of steel. A shot just prior to the last one going on:    Hurricane clips screwed in:     All that's left is to cover the gables with T-111 and install a 24" wide by 6 foot long loading bench. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by bradshaw on Sept 16, 2015 22:04:33 GMT -5
I look forward to firing a few rounds on this bench.
David Bradshaw
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cmillard
.375 Atomic
MOLON LABE
Posts: 1,997
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Post by cmillard on Sept 16, 2015 22:26:05 GMT -5
looks good
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 17, 2015 19:55:12 GMT -5
I look forward to firing a few rounds on this bench. David Bradshaw Dad and I are also looking forward to that day David. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 17, 2015 19:57:22 GMT -5
How Hammer Forged Barrels Are Made _____________________________________ It’s unlikely we’ll ever see hammer forged barrels in benchrest. A few brave souls tried them in decades past but soon gave-up. The degree of retained/residual stress just makes them a bear to tune. It goes without saying they’re capable of sub-MOA groups. Thousands of off-the-shelf Remingtons have proved the point. But that won’t keep you competitive in short-range BR. The leading edge of the sport aggs in the 1’s and low-2’s. A select cut or buttoned blank will get you there. On average a forged won’t. At any rate, I thought some of you may enjoy this video on how they’re made: -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 22, 2015 19:29:32 GMT -5
Cutting Groups - Part I ______________________________ Last Saturday I shot the rifle on our new range. We still have to cover the gables and install a loading bench but for the most part we’re done. Out of curiosity I looked back on this thread to see when we started. It so happens post #1 was September 19, 2013. Saturday was exactly two years to the day. Longer than expected but I must say it was for the better. It gave me time to connect with seasoned BR shooters, learn about precision loading, and become familiar with the latest equipment.     Conditions were rather mild. Temps averaged 82 with 40% humidity from 10:30 and 3:00. The wind wasn’t bad but grew as the day progressed. In the morning the flags were pretty much asleep with an occasional flicker. Groups measured in the high teens to low 2’s which was encouraging. Once again I shot LT-32 powder and Bart Sauter’s 68 grain Ultra seated to touch. 27.4, 27.9, and 28.1 were the three charges tried over 0.0025” neck tension. I’m told LT-32 likes less so next time I’ll go up a bushing to 0.261”. Around noon wind started coming in off the mountain. The gusts weren’t steady, instead spiking 6 – 8 mph followed by dead calm. The red instrument you see on the bench is a Kestrel weather station. It records temperature, humidity, dew point, plus average and peak wind. When I cover load tuning you’ll see why it pays to follow and log air conditions. Instead of posting the tightest targets of the day I’ll share my most frustrating. These illustrate the importance of evaluating flags, timing shots, and rifle management. Target #6 Time – 11:45 AM Temp – 80.7, Humidity = 48.0% 27.9 grs LT-32 Average wind = 1.2 mph, peak = 3.3 mph I made a costly error on this one. Prior to the group I cleaned my barrel and immediately got a familiar read. I went right to the record half, touched the trigger, saw the hole, and knew I screwed-up. It was high and to the left; exactly where my foulers landed all morning. I should’ve primed the rifling with one or two on the sighter square. The next three printed really tight before another change in wind. I held out for the original flag setting but it was slow to return. Just when I thought it had I fired and the cluster dropped down. Sure enough I shot into a head wind and didn’t spot the shift. The group measured 0.256”, or 0.499” – 0.243”. It may have been low teens if I did right by #1 and #5.    Target #8 Time – 12:43 PM Temp = 81.2, Humidity = 44.4% 28.1 grs LT-32 Average wind = 1.8 mph, peak = 6.9 mph This group began strong with sighter #1 landing high and to the left. The second took out 9:00 on the mothball as expected. I switched to the record and the first two graced the same hole. Seeing calm flags I hoped to run the last three but no such luck. As I closed the bolt a right-to-left breeze hit and didn’t relent. With under a minute on the clock I fired the rest without holding off. For whatever reason, be it inexperience or stubbornness, I thought I could shoot through the condition. You’ll see those three also went in the same hole. A slight hold to the right and I could’ve been in the zeros. Instead the group measured 0.261” (0.504” – 0.243”).    Like so many sports benchrest is full of what-ifs. More practice lies ahead. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by cherokeetracker on Sept 22, 2015 20:53:38 GMT -5
Hmmm,, It seems some where, at sometime, I predicted a 1/4 group from the start with this gun. You still at .040 off the lands?
That is good shooting and I know it will get better.
Barometric pressure and Humidity play a part in this discipline, for sure. I saw the Kestrel weather station and was not surprised. Did you just post the flags at the target or do you have a set halfway also?
Lee, You never did tell me what the very first group did. You won't jinx that gun now.
I did notice that the gun is in a left hand shooters position. Are you left handed? or is it over there, so you can touch it off easier with your right hand?
Are you going to name the Range? I think I need to grab a piece of SS and get the plasma or even the water Jet and cut you out a sign.
Charles
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Post by squawberryman on Sept 23, 2015 8:19:54 GMT -5
Chiner caliper? Granted mine's a Jap
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 23, 2015 19:13:27 GMT -5
Chiner caliper? Granted mine's a Jap I went el cheapo for my range box. We use Starretts and Mits in our shop. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by Lee Martin on Sept 23, 2015 19:17:49 GMT -5
Lee, You never did tell me what the very first group did. You won't jinx that gun now. I did notice that the gun is in a left hand shooters position. Are you left handed? or is it over there, so you can touch it off easier with your right hand? It was 0.208” with fire-form loads and forty off the lands. I seated to touch last weekend but still need a day to tune. That’ll probably entail 5 charge weights and 4 depths each (five in, touch, plus 5 & 10 off). Neck tension will stay put at 0.0015 for now. The Kestrel is great for base-lining but it has three limitations: 1) it doesn’t show wind direction, 2) it reads only at the bench, and 3) it takes 2+ seconds to register. None of these help you place bullets and that’s why we rely on flags. I’ve been setting mine at 35 and 70 yards. And very observant on the bench arrangement. I’m ambidextrous with a rifle but shoot BR as a lefty. We don’t run ejectors so I hand pick the empty. I’ve found being port-side helps considerably; that’s why the action is right handed. All good questions Charles and I appreciate your interest. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by cherokeetracker on Sept 24, 2015 11:51:15 GMT -5
That gun shoots better with the fire loads than I remarked. My confidence in you and your Dad's ability to produce an extraordinary weapon now soars. I am still amazed at that wonderfully accurate rifle.
I suspect that the tuning of the coal will produce some desirable results. I totally agree, on almost no neck tension. I have found that some dies do not produce good results just because of the crimp or neck tension. As you may remember my comments on the Wilson seating dies.
I agree and I am familiar with the Kestrel, as I stated in prior post, I would have thought that a flag closer to the target would have been more desirable. I learn all the time from you. Thanks.
Right handed actions are usually cheaper and some folks say they are easier to build, since everything is set up that way. I am with you I can shoot either way, and have rifles in both configurations.
The only thing left for this thread is the Bench build. If you choose to end it now or after the build keep me informed of the results on your shooting. Just for fun I am going to say that the Coal that touches the lands will give best results.
Oh one more technical question. How much more pressure is increased when jambed into the lands? I do realize that it depends upon how far the bullet is jambed but according to my non expertise, I am roughly figuring about 1000 PSI Do you have an idea of let's say .005 to .0010 into the lands, what or how much pressure would be increased? Trust me, I will laugh so hard, and loud that you will hear me in Virginia, if you give me your Dad's answer.
Charles
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