Welp, finally everything has arrived that is needed to make the gun go bang. I've already learned that 10 rounds of brass is not enough. I cast up about 40 bullets, weighed them and threw out about 10 that were not within a 1 grain window. I don't know if it's necessary to keep them that close but I did. First target out of the gate loaded with 60 grs. of GOEX Ctg., Federal 215 primers and lubed with an approximately 50/50 mix of olive oil and beeswax did not do well....at all. It looked more like a shotgun pattern than a rifle group. Next load with Scheutzen Ffg and Federal 215 primers, same lube, was quite a bit better. Group was about 4 inches. Ok...back to the bench. Same powder charge and lube with a change to Remington primers and I had 4 of the five shots in 2 1/8 in. 1st shot was a flyer but I didn't call it....I don't think it was me as I was shooting off a rest and that cartridge has very mild recoil. I had cleaned the bore after shooting the first 5 rounds loaded with GOEX and I believe that had something to do with it as the next 4 printed in the group menitoned. I haven't taken any pics but I will when I have more time.
The Ch4D dies worked great just to neck size the case. Expander button and case mouth bell were just about perfect for the bullet at .416. I drop tubed the powder into the case, one card wad over the powder and seated the bullet with one lube groove exposed, compressing the powder about 1/8th. The chamber has a rather long throat and the bullet was seated just off the lands. The bullet is a mold from Accurate Molds and is Tom's 40-82 bullet opened up to throw the .416 size which weighs 270 gr. from a 1-25 alloy.
Next up I'm going to try Scheutzen Fffg. The bullet on target at 50 yards is about 4 inches above center and I'm hoping a little faster powder might bring it down. Shooting will tell.
My 16 bore brass hulls arrived yesterday and I'll be in the market for a round ball mold.....horse manure...I measured the inside of the case and made a casting of the bore and can't remember the measurements. Seems an assortment of the hulls were .695-.705 and the bore was...crap, I'll just go measure it. It's .675. This castin sure looks strange with all that straight rifling on it....
Soo...do I need a .675 RB?
