Well I was at the range this morning bright and early at 8:50AM . Set up a target at 20 yards to begin patterning my new Sparten 12 gauge 20” SxS shotgun . Had bought this thing just for shooting buckshot when chasing Sika deer on the Eastern Shore . I had full chokes screwed in each side and they shot Winchester Supreme OO 2.75” shells very well in both barrels . So I was done with that one .
Next came the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter Deluxe 20 gauge with the 3.5” chamber . I had a Leupold 4.5-14 on top when I fired the Hastings slugs . I could shoot two with them touching but seems I pulled the third about 3/4's of an inch each time . Shot two groups at 50 yards and then a pair at 100 yards with about the same results . At 100 it will keep three in 2” easy . So I was pretty much done with this one .
Next came the Second Model 444 Marlin shooting the 434-330GC castboolits group buy bullet . Had this one loaded with XMP5744 and was shooting just plain iron sights at 50 yards . I was getting three into 1.5” easy enough . So I was okay with this one for a start .
Then I pulled out the old 336CB in 30-30 to try another group buy mould , this one was a 311-150GC bullet and I was shooting Lyman Globe front and a Williams Fool Proof rear with target knobs . Anyway at 50 yards I was consistently cutting ragged holes for three shots . Had these loaded with XMP5744 also .
So by now I am thinking it can't get much better , wished I hadn't thought :D
Pulled out my 336ER (356 WIN) cast bullet rifle and started one the Ranch Dog 359-190 bullet , this was my first chance to try this bullet . So expectations were running high and I had a 20x Leupold on top . The first group at 50 yards was about 4” I think . Then I tried a second group a couple minutes later and that one tightened up a bit . After letting her cool some more I shot a third group which was right at 2” , not great but workable . I think with a little more work this one will be okay , although IMHO not as good as the “original” 359-180.
Well then I pulled the scope off the 356 and put it on my Marlin 375 cast bullet shooter and shot a couple groups with the Ranch Dog 379-235 . I shot three groups at 50 yards with this one and they were right at 1.5” for all . So we were kinda back on track .
By the way I loaded one load for the 356 and one for the 375 , both were fueled with XMP5744.
Next I pulled out my old Marlin 336SC in 35 REM and tried the Ranch Dog 359-190 again fueled with XMP5744 , but on this one I was using a Lyman peep . Shot three groups at 50 yards and they were right in the 2” area . So I could live with this as well .
Now I was done with cast for the day and whipped out my new to me Marlin 1894 in 25-20 (circa 1903) and shot some variouse 25-20 jacketed loadings I had on hand .
Strangely with open sights I shot a couple pretty decent groups at 50 yards with this one also .
Next came out the speed demons . Tried my new to me Remington 700BDL stainless synthetic in 264 WIN MAG . This thing was a special run for Accu Sport a couple years ago . I had gotten one when they first came out and like a fool sold it after a year or two . This one I had today a friend had bought new the same time I bought the one I used to have . Anyway we made a trade about a month ago and I had not been able to shoot it yet . Well today I took her out . Was shooting Hornady 129 SST's and fueled with IMR4350 . Had four different charges starting at 55 grains and going up . Well I got it on paper at 100 then started shooting for group . 56 grains wasn't bad , and 57 grains closed up a tad more , but when I shot the 58 grain loads it was almost a ragged hole at 100 yards . SO I think I will try the 58 grains again and possibly 59 and maybe 60 grains.
My last for the day was a brand spanking new Remington Model 7 stainless synthetic in 7mm RSUM . I had some stuff I loaded for another 7mmRSUM with the Hornady 154 grain SST and also loaded up some Hornady 139 grain SST's . Both were loaded with IMR4350 . After getting it on paper I shot real good three shot groups with both bullet weights although the 139 did a little bit better .
Well I finally got out and got a good bit more then I expected taken care of .>
I started to load up some 32 H&R MAG's for trying in my 327 Federal , but I abstained as I still want to try the 327 Federal in the little revolver first !