Reality check on Cadet

[Ray P]

Well, it's been a few years in the making; mostly collecting parts, but my franken-tini is now completely assembled. I have 20 unfired cases prepped and ready to load, and I believe I've found my starting load. Just hoping y'all remind me if I've overlooked anything.

The action is a 5-digit NSW import; modified before I got it to add a Model 12-type screw on the right side in lieu of the split pin. As-arrived, the extractor was opened for a larger caliber such as .357 or such. All parts passed a detailed cleaning & scrutiny for cracks & wear.

Barrel is an E-Bay orphan in the original .310; straight, good threads, visible bore, no sign of a shoulder in the chamber area, and slugs out at .320. Bbl has the wider, shorter rear sight base. Pro gunsmith mounted the bbl (hell of an image). I checked headspace per Double-D's guidance: with a case in the chamber, can't slide a 0.006" feeler guage between bolt & brass. Misc parts from Numrich completed the rifle.

Ammo will be built this week from bertram brass using cast .323" 120 gr outside heeled bullets from Buffalo Arms (same place I got the brass). Made up a dummy from one piece of brass at 1.085" caselength, and one of the bullets (thumb-fit). Dummy chambers & extracts.

Starting load was developed on paper using Hodgdon's guidance for Trailboss; max (trimmed) case capacity without compressing powder looks to be 4.1 gr. 70% of that is 2.9gr. I'll prime (Fed SRP) today, and make up 20 rds each at 3.0gr.

Bullet seating will be by thumb, and bullets were lubed using #7 bore butter. Much messier than pan-lubing .58 cal minies.

Am I missing anything?

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