2 Attachment(s)
my cleaned up 1873 Springfield
Finally got some cases loaded and some time at the range on my way home from work. Fun evening.
Here is the thread where I sourced, acquired, and cleaned up this treasure.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=73637
Attachment 120642Attachment 120643
New starling brass from Midway. I found 20-1 alloy bullets at https://www.buffaloarms.com
a few months ago, but all they had in stock at the time were 0.458, 395gr round nose from Lyman bullet mold 457124. I used my Lee manual for data, which listed loads for 385gr and 405gr cast bullets with IMR4064, which I have plenty of. I conservatively interpolated between the starting loads with 44gr.
The target above was at 25 yards. My Labradar showed an average of 1590-1617 fps, with a standard deviation of 8fps...so I think I did my job loading! I was expecting about 1275fps based on what the manual said. Also, at 25yds I was impacting 8 inches or so high. in that group I was aiming at the bottom of the target backer to keep it on paper. I had the sight all the way down at the bottom (100yd marking). Making a drop chart from what I saw at 25yds predicted I was zeroed for ~350yds, and would hit >24 inches high at 100yds, which is the extent of my indoor facilities. So, after 3 rounds aiming on the floor at 100 yds just to see a hole on paper, I went back to being content at 25yds for this trip.
BuffaloArms now has 500gr RN from Saeco Mould 1881. I just bought 6 boxes, and it now says out of stock:). Now that I have a starting point, I'll dial down my loads for the 395 grainers to get something close to the original ballistics of 1350fps of 405gr. This should help my problem of shooting so high, e.g. at 1275fps a 100 yd zero would have meant only 1inch high at 25 yds. By the way, my bore slugs at a perfect .458, and is in perfect condition!
