Going shooting today.

[Mike D.]

I finally feel like going out and running a few loads through both my .40-82 and 7mm Mauser. The weather has changed from 105º on Thursday to 82º yesterday. The cooling ocean breezes have returned and it's time to get out. I have had a nasty virus in my lungs and a 7 day regimen of antibiotics has cleared it up. I went for chemo last week and was rejected due to a slight fever. The nurse also heard me gurgling and immediately called for x-rays. That alone set me off to a panic that my cancer had spread. Not the case as it turns out, in fact it has shriveled even further. Since my immune system is compromised catching any thing anywhere is likely. I probably picked the latest up from the supermarket, but don't really know. My stuff is loaded up and I'm headed out. Report to follow.

[pwl44m]

Good news Mike, I tried to sit outside and have coffee with my Wife this morning and it was downright chilly. I just finished antibiotics Myself for the same thing. Good luck on Your shooting,are You going to the Ranch or the Range ?
Perry

[jeepnik]

Glad you're feeling better and the cancer is shrinking. Enjoy yourself, but don't overdo it. On the coast down here in SoCal, it hasn't been too bad. We did need the AC yesterday, but mostly due to humidity.

[AJMD429]

Supposedly it's good to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables if you're fighting cancer (or just in general).

One GOOD thing about guns and shooting is that you won't catch a virus from any gun I know of...

[Mike D.]

I am back with mixed results. I was sitting in full sun, as usual, but there was a breeze from the SW and the temp never rose above 80º. I do need some sort of prescription shooting glasses, though. Even at 50 yds the target was blurry and my sight picture less than perfect. I won't get into the 7mm Mauser, the .40-82 Winchester will have to suffice here. This as a levergun forum, after all.
Two loads were fired, the first being some of Sixgun's 280 gr NEI cast sized at .406. The charge was 25 grs IMR 4198 in reformed Starline .45-90 cases and sparked by Winchester LR primers. MVs of the five shot string were 1498, 1501, 1486, 1484, and 1509FPS. The target results weren't so good, with the bullets low for the most part.


The next one was sort of a barn burner, but the results were much improved. It was 40 grs RL7 under the 235 gr hawk JFP. Same cases and primers. I finally have this case forming thing down as each cartridge slipped into the chamber with ease. MVs here were 1968, 2139, 2167, 2145, and 2150. Each charge was weighed on my electronic scale, so I have no idea why the first one was way under 2000 FPS. All of my 1886 loads are done individually from start to finish. The target demonstrates the better accuracy of this load. The cases ejected easily and were quite clean. The report was snappy and recoil nothing serious, but plenty noticeable over the previous one.




I dug around in the hard packed dirt behind the target and located a couple of the jacketed bullets. They were rather smashed and distorted. Here is one of them.


Now, it's time to get busy and clean the guns up a bit. Not my favorite duty, but one that has to be done some time.

[abcollector]

Mike, glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself a bit. Fresh air is certainly good for ya. That's great news too that the cancer is shrinking!
We've been and are still hot down here. I've been looking forward to late Fall for weeks now.

AJMD249- as long as you're on the end that's sending... receiving end is a bad virus !

Thanks for the pics Mike! In general, how do you like the Hawk Bullets? I have some that I haven't got loaded yet in several calibers and weights. Hard packed dirt is not a real good test of most bullets.

[KirkD]

I enjoyed the report, MikeD. I also enjoyed another look at the gorgeous case coloring on your receiver.

[2ndovc]

Well I'd like to hear how the Mauser did, being a Mil. Gun Guy too!

That '86 is just sharp by the way and I'm happy to hear the medical issue was,
No Biggie!!!

jb

[Pitchy]

The man and his 86, good going all around Mike.

[Ysabel Kid]

.40-82. That just sounds interesting! Glad you got a chance to shoot Mike!

[Mike D.]

It took me long enough to get the hang of correctly forming the brass. It has to be sized twice, trimmed to 2.398 and the inside necks reamed. Starline brass is thicker 'n most. I'd kill for some 250 grain .406 diameter all copper bullets so the gun can be used down in San Benito. The .40-82 W.C.F. is a fine cartridge that shines with HV smokeless loads.

[KirkD]

I'd kill for some 250 grain .406 diameter all copper bullets so the gun can be used down in San Benito.

I would think it should be a lead pipe cinch to turn out copper solids on a lathe that meet those specs ..... if you have a local friend with a lathe in his garage.

[Ben_Rumson]

Well done!

[Mike D.]

I'd kill for some 250 grain .406 diameter all copper bullets so the gun can be used down in San Benito.

I would think it should be a lead pipe cinch to turn out copper solids on a lathe that meet those specs ..... if you have a local friend with a lathe in his garage.

Kirk, I have been hounding Barnes to make some, but it is a hard sell.

[Alan Wood]

Worst part about this is that it doesn't just have to just be lead free... It has to be certified lead free. So you can't just comply with the lead free requirement. You have to use ammunition that has bean certified to comply. In short no home made lead free ammo allowed!

[AJMD429]

I'd kill for some 250 grain .406 diameter all copper bullets so the gun can be used down in San Benito.

I would think it should be a lead pipe cinch to turn out copper solids on a lathe that meet those specs ..... if you have a local friend with a lathe in his garage.

Kirk, I have been hounding Barnes to make some, but it is a hard sell.

Maybe a dumb question (and the 'certified' post may make it moot anyhow), but....

...could you buy something just a bit larger, and swage them down to the size you need....???

P.S. - glad you got some range time - I'm convinced it's therapeutic.

[M. M. Wright]

So glad you're able to get in this range time and congrats on the shrinkage part. That 86 is beautiful, I really like it. That second load looks like the one to use.

I too am convinced that range time is therapeutic. I had a melanoma removed from the side of my head in 09 so I'm surviving. No side-burn or part of an ear but I seldom even think about it. Especially when shooting. God is good!