from Billy Key, New Mexico

Attached are a couple of photos of the 200 meter target. 

The group on the left was shot two days ago and is 21.4 gr. of RL-7 under the Accurate 43-245 GC bullet.  (Weighs 250 gr. in 1:30)  Brand new cases with no crimp.  It shot 6 in 4 4/16” H x 4 1/16 wide or:  Group measured 4.25”.  4 mph. wind was blowing at 3:00  and I turned it 1.5 MOA into the wind but that wasn’t enough.  Didn’t chronograph that load but they have been running in the 1270s with temps in the low 90s. 

The group in the black was shot this morning with 0 windage.  It is 21.5 gr. of RL-7 under the Accurate 43-230 E bullet.  (Abt. 240 grains in 1:30)  Also, a .060 veg. wad under the bullet.  Brand new cases and crimped with the Redding Profile die.  Shot 5 for group and It grouped 5 in 5” being 4.5” H x 4” W. 

That same load on the 7th shot 1253 fps. and today shot 1228 fps.  Same temperature and humidity.  Most of the time it shoots in the 1250s and that is what has run me nuts about this RL – 7 the whole time.

Fall has fell and temps are in the mid 80s.  Still no rain.  This has been one of the driest years since I have been in the live-stock business.  (I doubt if we are much over 3” for the entire year – which started last fall.)  Anyway, got to get busy and get the calves shipped along with some cows. 

Oh, I read a glowing report of Blackthorn 209 winning a big BP rifle match in Montana.  Went to town and bought a couple of cans to try out in the 44-40 and was I ever disappointed. 

Loaded 18.0 gr. under the 43-245 GC bullet and it averaged 931 fps. in the 24” Uberti.  93 degrees and shot abt. a 6” grp. At 100 yards.  So, I went back to their data and picked a light 44 mag. Load, which was 19.5 gr. and had .036” compression.  It shot 1006 fps. with 23 ES.  The group was no better and I threw in the towel.  I had 7 more to shoot that I shot just after the email. They didn’t do as good. 5 in the chicken and two above. I’m sure one of the “above” was the fouler but didn’t have the scope set up [spotting scope]. Right in the middle of the “shoot”, (5th shot completed) a handful of antelope grazed out in front of me and I had to quit for 10 minutes. Gun cooled off and one of those could have been the 6th shot. Don’t know. Two though were in the x ring, (if it existed). One on each side of the roofing tack. 

It was too late for the PACT chrony to work. It is suppose to be infared. But once it is in the shade, it’s done for the day.