Rockydoc
Well-Known Member
I fired my new Ruger #1 30-30 Win. for the first time today. Did you know they have 5R rifling? I don't know what advantage that gives, if any, other than maybe easier cleaning.
The purpose of todays shooting was primarily to fire form some brass. I prepared the brass following Ian's suggestions in Tips and Tricks. 1. Full sized once fired R-P brass. 2. Wrapped a ⅛" strip of cellophane tape two times around the base of the case just above the rim. 3. Belled the case mouth with a NOE expander to center the front go the case in line with the bore. 4. Prevented the case from moving forward with the firing pin strike by firmly seating the bullet into the rifling.
The bullets were Lee C309-170F cast maybe 5 years ago from an alloy I didn't record but which has now a BHN (LBT tester) of 20. It is probably range scrap from the 50 yard berm at my private range (members and guests only, not my personal private range). The scrap is mostly from jacketed bullets.
I feel extremely fortunate that these bullet's nose fits the bore with slight engraving by the lands as cast. I want to powder coat bullets for this rifle but I won't do it with this bullet. It is good to go as cast.
I lubed the bullets with 2 thin coats of Ben's Liquid Lube and loaded over 5 grains of Hercules Red Dot. This was a very mild pleasant round to shoot. Surprisingly I got a little bit of leading. Probably because of the hard alloy and the load too light to obturate adequately.
Ben has given me a mold with a tapered nose that I may be able to PC. We'll see after I have had a chance to cast some.
I believe this new gun has potential.
The purpose of todays shooting was primarily to fire form some brass. I prepared the brass following Ian's suggestions in Tips and Tricks. 1. Full sized once fired R-P brass. 2. Wrapped a ⅛" strip of cellophane tape two times around the base of the case just above the rim. 3. Belled the case mouth with a NOE expander to center the front go the case in line with the bore. 4. Prevented the case from moving forward with the firing pin strike by firmly seating the bullet into the rifling.
The bullets were Lee C309-170F cast maybe 5 years ago from an alloy I didn't record but which has now a BHN (LBT tester) of 20. It is probably range scrap from the 50 yard berm at my private range (members and guests only, not my personal private range). The scrap is mostly from jacketed bullets.
I feel extremely fortunate that these bullet's nose fits the bore with slight engraving by the lands as cast. I want to powder coat bullets for this rifle but I won't do it with this bullet. It is good to go as cast.
I lubed the bullets with 2 thin coats of Ben's Liquid Lube and loaded over 5 grains of Hercules Red Dot. This was a very mild pleasant round to shoot. Surprisingly I got a little bit of leading. Probably because of the hard alloy and the load too light to obturate adequately.
Ben has given me a mold with a tapered nose that I may be able to PC. We'll see after I have had a chance to cast some.
I believe this new gun has potential.