- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
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I hauled a bucket load of bullets and a volume measure to the range today, primarily to see how the Barnes .44, 225 grain bullets were going to work in the optima pistol. I did powder charges with a volume measure since wind seems to be a constant around here and an electronic scale isn't wind friendly. I knew my pistol printed nice using .44 cal, 240 grain XTPs and a 90 grain [v] charge, but I needed to know how the Barnes pills were going to fly.
For the Barnes, I started with 70 grains measured at the 50 yard mark where the XTPs would do right about an inch for 5 shoots. At 70 grains the 4 shots I did were pretty loose....maybe 3". 80 grains measured tightened things up about a half inch. The 90 grains got the Barnes bullets right back into the 1" area again but a tad bit higher than what the XTPs do...about an inch higher. Both green crush rib and smooth green sabots were tried to check for deviations and honestly none was evident.
I put a fresh face on the target and did 4 shots using the 90 grains and the 240 grain XTP. Right where they've always shot. I changed up to a ,45 cal, 250 grain XTP with the 90 grain load and the group came open to about 2". I tried both smooth black and crush rib black sabots and no change.
Its apparent that the pistol likes the 90 grain by volume charge and basically I can use either sabot or either bullet with confidence, as long as I am using a home converted plug using vent liners.
Following Ron's instructions and using the tools he mentioned, other than a mill, I have converted a couple standard CVA quick out plugs for vent liner use and can say that the converted plugs are the way to go. Both a Western and a CVA 209 compatible plugs have been tried next to the home spun and both have less accuracy than the home spun plug. All of my converted plugs use Badger Ridge vent liners and with a Winchester [blue box] 209 primer I have never had a mis-fire or hang fire....something I cannot say of the other two plug brands. With no shimming on the firing pin bushing or any rubber or metal washers in the primer pocket my primers pop out with a finger and are as clean as when they went in. Zero carbon in the breech area.
My plan is to go lead free this fall season and the Barnes certainly will fly from this gun. Today was a great "telling" day. All cleaned up and ready for the season, the Optima pistol is back in its case just waiting.....
For the Barnes, I started with 70 grains measured at the 50 yard mark where the XTPs would do right about an inch for 5 shoots. At 70 grains the 4 shots I did were pretty loose....maybe 3". 80 grains measured tightened things up about a half inch. The 90 grains got the Barnes bullets right back into the 1" area again but a tad bit higher than what the XTPs do...about an inch higher. Both green crush rib and smooth green sabots were tried to check for deviations and honestly none was evident.
I put a fresh face on the target and did 4 shots using the 90 grains and the 240 grain XTP. Right where they've always shot. I changed up to a ,45 cal, 250 grain XTP with the 90 grain load and the group came open to about 2". I tried both smooth black and crush rib black sabots and no change.
Its apparent that the pistol likes the 90 grain by volume charge and basically I can use either sabot or either bullet with confidence, as long as I am using a home converted plug using vent liners.
Following Ron's instructions and using the tools he mentioned, other than a mill, I have converted a couple standard CVA quick out plugs for vent liner use and can say that the converted plugs are the way to go. Both a Western and a CVA 209 compatible plugs have been tried next to the home spun and both have less accuracy than the home spun plug. All of my converted plugs use Badger Ridge vent liners and with a Winchester [blue box] 209 primer I have never had a mis-fire or hang fire....something I cannot say of the other two plug brands. With no shimming on the firing pin bushing or any rubber or metal washers in the primer pocket my primers pop out with a finger and are as clean as when they went in. Zero carbon in the breech area.
My plan is to go lead free this fall season and the Barnes certainly will fly from this gun. Today was a great "telling" day. All cleaned up and ready for the season, the Optima pistol is back in its case just waiting.....