Range Report - The Good & The Bad

[salvo]

I'll start with the bad first, Took my Browning 1895 out for its first shoot, Loaded up a few different loads and got it sighted in with a promising load of 56.5 gr. - IMR 4831 - 180gr. BTSP in military brass that was given to me. Shot 5 or 6 to adjust the sights, it walked right in to the bulls eye @ 50yds. I then started a 5 round group and on the 3rd round I noticed smoke coming from the receiver and the ejector quite working! Looked at the case and had a case head failure!
I'll need to take the 95 down and see what is wrong, I'll let you guys know what I find hopefully it did not screw anything up to bad
I guess I had better pull all 150 rounds in the Military brass and start over with new commercial brass.







I had a shoot off with my Winchester 71 and Browning 71. I shot 3 different loads at 50 yds - 5 rounds each.
The browning came out on top at 50 yds.
Then I shot two groups of 3 rounds at 100 yds. and the Winchester posted the best group at 100 yds.
My eyes are getting bad, I could not shoot with my prescription glasses and had to use non priscription shooting glasses seemed to work the best.

Winchester 71


Browning 71


Winchester @ 50 yds.


Winchester @ 100 yds.


Browning @ 50 yds.


Browning @ 100 yds.



Put a Williams FP on my 94 Trapper 30-30 and sighted it in, I only shot @ 50 yds. with two loads. It seems to like 150's and 170's about the same





It was a beautiful day, maybe 80 deg. if that!

[Rod WMG]

Purdy rifles; neat veeHICKLE.

[RIHMFIRE]

nice 71s
and good shoot'n too....
I stay away from the military stuff....
Try Starline brass...you will like it!

[O.S.O.K.]

Yeah, I really like the Landcruiser - wow. Too bad about your 95 - I'm sure the extractor is probably sprung and you may need a new one - but it could be a lot worse - glad you didn't get hurt (thank you John M. Browning!). I would definately pull all of those loads - no need to throw the brass though - just back off on the load - they have thicker case walls and therefore less capacity which leads to higher pressure. But then you know that now.

It's interesting how the groups open from 50 to 100 yards - way way more than twice the size - indicating sighting error - which is entirely normal.

I've found that the aperture sight is my friend and helps with this - though they don't eliminate it!

Not that any of your groups wouldn't put the quarry DRT.

[salvo]

Thanks, RIHMFIRE I'll order some tomorrow!

Thats some good shooting O.S.O.K.
I was having a hard time at 100yds. I just got new glasses with bi focals and could not use them at all shooting, had to use an old pair of non prescription shooting glasses, just could not get a good sight picture at 100

[O.S.O.K.]

That would make it much more difficult!

I used to be able to shoot very respectfully with mid-barrel open sights but I'm finding its getting harder and harder- the reason that I've gravitated towards the apertures.

But you gotta have your glasses right for sure

[2ndovc]

Love the levers but that Toyota is SWEET!!!


jb

[kimwcook]

I'll second or third the Land Cruiser. Nice rig and it sure looks spanky.

[Ysabel Kid]

Scott -

Thanks for sharing the range report. However, I did not see any pictures of your feet in any of the snapshots of the guns. Nor does it look like you were perched dangerously to take any of the shots!

Having to pull 150 bullets - that goes beyond "bad" and into "the ugly"!

[J Miller]

Scott,

What year is that FJ40? I had one I bought new in 78. Like an el stupido I traded it off in 80. I've regretted that move ever since.

Don't you own any rifles that are used? They all look out of the box new. You need to work on that.

Check the head space on that 95, but it will probably be OK. You never know what military brass was fired in. A little trick is to unfold a paper clip and use the end of it to feel the inside of the case. If you feel a dip or grove just above the web, scrap the case.

Joe

[salvo]

Thanks guys, J Miller I have had the 1976 FJ40 for about 24 years now. I rebuilt it about 10 years ago after the six cylinder blew!
Slipped in a Chevy 454, built automatic Turbo 350, NP205 Transfer Case and a Ford 9" rear end. I even painted it myself.
It's allot of fun but it sure sucks the go juice!

YK, I was standing on the bench seat and almost took a dive, I don't know how my feet missed the pics I counted the ones I need to pull it came to 94! I thought I backed off enough on the load, StevesPages http://stevespages.com/308_8_180.html
Showed IMR-4831 From 46.5 grains to 59.2 grains. My 56.5 grains just was to hot for the thick military brass (Big lesson learned)

I took the 1895 apart, what happened was the gas from the failure was able to push the ejector further back and down and the ejector was able to catch on the bolt. When I lightly pushed up on it, it popped right back into place. I could have done that without taking it apart, at least I checked every thing and cleaned it up. I was lucky!

[marlin shooter]

Scott
Nice Toyota! I have a Browning just like yours. It may be my most accurate levergun. Person before me had it D+T for a receiver sight. Do you plan to install 1 on yours? The condition of the rifle in that last picture would sure be the time to do it. Good luck with the rifle.
Karl

[salvo]

I'm pretty sure I will mount one of those Lyman 21 reproductions on it.
I was surprised at how easy the 1895 comes apart and goes back together!

[Nath]

That there brass! It may be weakend by corrosive primers from a long time ago maybe!

Nath.

[KirkD]

I enjoyed the report and the photos.

[O.S.O.K.]

That's good news on your rifle and having to pull the brass is a lot better than having to get your face stiched up - so not such a bad deal afterall.

And I am really impressed with the Toyota - a 454 Chevy engine? Man, I bet that rig gets up and rocks when you step on the gas... wow.

[Griff]

Good news. Gotta agree 'bout the "toy". Enjoyed the photos and report. BTW, I went with lineless bifocals and do fine shooting with them. I just have to get my cheek weld right so I'm looking out the "right" part of the lens.

[salvo]

Griff, that is good news about the glasses, mine are the same lineless bifocals, I just got them and still not quite use to them, I'll give them another try!

[Hobie]

Purdy rifles; neat veeHICKLE.

Dittos!

[Timberline]

Salvo,

I've been thinking about getting my old (1981) Winchester M94 Trapper in .30-30 back into action, and I found your range report on your Trapper fascinating. Thanks.

Questions - When you added the Williams FP to your Trapper, did you find a need to change the factory front sight? Have you considered or tried any other front sights with the FP and this rifle?

[Borregos]

Enjoyed the report, thanks
Weather looks great

[salvo]

Timberline my Trapper started out as a 20" carbine, it had a ramp/sight originally. When I chopped it down I installed a spare .450 High Marbles "Dovetail type" front sight on it, (if I remember correctly) So I'm not sure if you will need to change your front sight or not. One thing for sure is it will be worth it even if you do. Personally I prefer a post type sight and will probably replace the one on their with a sour dough or Skinner front sight. Skinner makes a very tall sight that can be filed down to the perfect height at the range, I have a set of the Skinner sights on my Marlin 1894 CB and they are a real value and work great. Tim only charges $11.00 for the front sight!
http://www.skinnersights.com/

[Timberline]

Thanks, Salvo, for the information. Much appreciated.