range day in OR

[Grizz]

Our friend Earl invited me to visit his range and meet his friend Butch and shoot with them. They shoot black powder rifles at steel targets that range up to 1200 yards. 3600 feet. Nearly seven tenths of a mile. No one hit the 1200 buffalo, but all the fleas and flies must have been swatted because the dust showed the rounds were falling just behind the buff. They consistently tattooed the thousand yard steel.
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1200 Yard Buffalo.jpg

.from the firing line. scattered herd of iron buffalo visible at intervals.

1200 yards.JPG

. a close-up fashion shot of the big guy.
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Earl on the line.jpg

. Earl at his station. He has a box that supports the shooting sticks, and he swabs the barrel between shots.
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I plinked a bit with the Marlin 39 Century Ltd. Did better with it at a hundred yards than at 50. Then loaded my standard one and only 45/70 load into the H&R Buffalo Classic and did some plinking. It has a barrel mounted peep with a fine bead. I took two whacks at the high up guy, and didn't raise a puff of dust! I fired at a 150 yard bird shaped gong and hit that a couple of times, and maybe hit a 200 yard gong once. I forget. Here's the ballistics on the load >>
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45-70-525_1595.jpg

. average velocity recorded with Earl's very slick chrono . . . same load i've shot from 4 rifles and 2 pistols. it ran 1310 from Blaine's scoped BFR.
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Then I dispensed some lead from the 16" Model 94 357. The 185gr hand load made a satisfying display from the 50 yard gong, and if I chronoed that load I didn't write it down.
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and then, the big question i came to oregon to answer, what velocities would my slightly customized 1911 with a 7" barrel produce? I shot some ball ammo over the chrono that averaged 875 fps. I did not switch to the 5" barrel for a baseline for lack of time and the tool . . . then, the 255gr hard cast 45 super load . . . averaged 1145 fps, which is 75 fps faster than the Underwood specs, which i attribute to the extra 2 inches.
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Based on the results on the hog with the 255gr 45 Colt load, i think i have exactly what i was looking for in my woods walking 1911. That load, BTW, from a different tester, penetrated 62 inches of calibrated ballistic gel from a 5" barrel, it seems to be a sweet spot for a hunting round. I might download my reloads into the 45 Super brass to ease up on the frame a bit. And the ball load will handle about 90% of what i use a gun for, so happy happy range time.
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45 Super 255 Gr 1145 fps .jpg

. here is the ballistics on the load. the contrast comparison is interesting several ways.
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Thanks to Earl and Butch for your company and spotting and plain old fun stuff.

[Bill in Oregon]

Grizz, I have shot at that range as well, and can attest that Earl takes it seriously and his results show it. Did you and Earl and Butch eat peanuts and have a beer afterward?
I shudder to think of the recoil of your .45-70 load in a Buffalo Classic, but am quite impressed with that hard-cast load out of your 1911!

[Grizz]

Grizz, I have shot at that range as well, and can attest that Earl takes it seriously and his results show it. Did you and Earl and Butch eat peanuts and have a beer afterward?
I shudder to thing of the recoil of your .45-70 load in a Buffalo Classic, but am quite impressed with that hard-cast load out of your 1911!

Thanks Bill good to hear you've been there. I don't drink so they slaked their thirst while i tried to repack my T2R.

Re recoil, i don't know what happened to me, i used to not be bothered by that load out of the guide gun or this one. Daughter likes shooting the Marlin better than her Rossi 92 45 Colt because, well, something happens, (her words), when she pulls the trigger. (Dad size smile here) . . . i don't think there's a lot of difference in weight if they both are loaded in the chamber only. AND, that's a reduced load from Marshall's pressure tested data !

As for the pistol, i will get some +P rounds and chrono them, it could be that the 2 inch 'extension' will produce the 1070 velocity with less pressure, idk, but i am very happy with where it's at now.

That's some beautiful high desert country, and glass butte where i camped that night is a good resting spot.

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break-fast.JPG

[Bill in Oregon]

Grizz, used to be every late March they held a "Knap-in" at Glass Buttes and folks literally came from all over the world for it, learning or showing off their flint- and obsidian knapping skills and harvesting the abundant local obsidian. Fun times. The time I went, I set out with my atlatl and darts to "get me a rabbit." Never did!

[High Desert Hunter]

Looks like a very nice range! Looks a lot like where I'm from in Eastern Oregon!
Dave

[Grizz]

Grizz, used to be every late March they held a "Knap-in" at Glass Buttes and folks literally came from all over the world for it, learning or showing off their flint- and obsidian knapping skills and harvesting the abundant local obsidian. Fun times. The time I went, I set out with my atlatl and darts to "get me a rabbit." Never did!

Bill, a note about the knappers. my wife worked with one of them and that couple were part of the knapping parties. my wife bought this for my birthday one year >>
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Glass Butte Knife.jpeg

. lots of detail in the photo. it rotates and enlarges.
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i haven't skinned anything since i got it. i'm afraid to pick it up, clumsy one i am . . .

[Grizz]

Looks like a very nice range! Looks a lot like where I'm from in Eastern Oregon!
Dave

Lots of good country in Oregon and Washington, still roads left that i haven't driven. but i'm working on it.

[JBowen]

Thanks for sharing, Grizz. Looks like a good time was had. That knife looks like a fine piece, and I wouldn't want to break it either.

JBowen

[earlmck]

As you fellers can tell, it was a fine day at the range with just the three compatible guys having several different guns and those nice clangy targets from 50 out to 1200 yards. That danged 1200 yard buff sure does seem to duck my bullets...

Was good to finally get to meet the Grizz in person. As you'd suspect he travels with some neat stuff.