Lee Loader

Nice, the wood looks great.

Make smoke,

Thanks, guys! I don't think I ever approached a project in such a hit and miss manner, but in fairness to myself, I've had a bunch of stuff going on with those around me. Now I need to get back to my TLC359-190-RF bullet with this rifle and ensure it is sighted in, both scope and open sights.

This is my 35 Remington bullet. Seated to crimp groove over 36.0 grains IMR3031 gives average 2122 fps with an SD of 23 fps. Seated to the same depth over 38.0 grains of IMR4320 I get 2048 fps average with a SD of only 7 fps. Both results out of a Remington 760. Fastest pointing and shooting rifle I have used other than a semi. It does a really good job on moose within 100 yards. I also have developed a 38 special/357 magnum load with it. Actually it is loaded at 357 pressure in a 38 case and fired out of a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. Average was 1010 fps but it sure snaps.

Nice looking bullet! You buy it or cast it?

I use my TLC359-190-RF with the 35 Rem and in with my Rossi 92, do the same thing as you; a 38 Spl case at 357 Mag pressures (plus may be a bit ) .



Out of the 92, it scoots along at 1785 FPS. I'm using it with two 35 Rems; a Marlin 336D (2255 FPS) and a Savage 170 at 2340 FPS. I haven't really settled on an inventory load yet with the 35-30, but I suspect it will be around 2340 FPS. The 35 Rem and 35-30 are using H322, but might move them Benchmark as I need to start using that jug with something. I like the Benchmark as I've shot good groups with it but the velocity is about 50 FPS less than the H322.

I like the 760, an older fellow that I hunted desert mule deer with had one chambered in 280 Rem. You see many Savage 170s in your woods?

The bullet is bought. I have enough to last me forever. I can't say I have seen a 170 here. Lever actions and bolts are most popular. When I take the pump to the range I get the odd stare. I think people initially think shotgun until they come over for a closer look. Have hunted deer with a Win 94 and I have to admit I prefer the pump. It may be because I spent a lot of time jump shooting ducks from the front of a row boat with a pump shotgun. I can put a full magazine into a pie plate at 50 meters with the 760 without breaking my site picture using a low power scope.

I would have thought the pump much more popular in your neck of the woods for the very reasons you offered.

Finally got around to casting some boolits from the NOE 230-grain FP. Sized to .359 in the Lee .358 die and seated to its cannelure, the bullet just begins to engrave the lands when the action is closed on it. Will give these a try here soon, using Mainehunter's flavor o' powder -- H 4895. I'm going to start with 33 grains,
Winchester brass and WLR.

Mike, get you some more popcorn and line up some beers. We have heavy winds and dust for the next few days -- and no darned fun at the range. Have the .35-30 to sort out, and a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor to zero in.
On a side note, I asked a master caster buddy back home in Oregon what I did wrong to get sooo many reject bullets with my new NOE mold and he told me his NOEs take longer to break in than any other mold he uses.
I like how my Lees and Lymans settle right down.

My observation on the NOE moulds is that the blocks are heavier than the Lee molds so the NOEs take longer to bring up to temperature. I fixed that by heating them up with a propane torch. I have yet to get frosted bullets with the NOEs, my alloy and the heat I'm using doesn't overheat them like the lighter Lee. That said, I'm casting with the NOE 5-cavities and they do wear on my tired old bones.