doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Drilling Marking Question

Otto,
Well done!Nice machine work,better than mine.I was self taught, but had a very poor teacher.You can open up the mold blocks you already shortened.You would just have to make a boring bar to fit in the block.Centering them in the 4 jaw or faceplate will likely take more time than the actual machining.You may have to shorten the blocks again to stay at 275gr,but I wouldn't think it would be worth the bother for 2 or 3 grains.Ross Seyfried always gives good advice on loads, but I have really good luck also with 5744 in this class cartridge.I use kapok with other powders,but don't need it with 5744.
Mike

Mike,
Your technique for converting the 40-65 brass rim to the thicker 10.5 rim worked like a charm. Thank you.
I was taught most of what I know about precision machining by a great retired aerospace machinist who died way too soon. However, he did infect me with a love for fine machines and I've never met one that I didn't love.
The fire formed cases will accept a .422" pin gauge but not a .423". I plan to start with a .420" diameter bullet but am unsure as to the shape and weight. The bullets were said to be from 260 gr to 298 gr. in COW. One thought was to cast .300 gr bullets at .420" diameter and cut the bullet back until a proper weight is reached. I did this with the 405 WCF bullets that I used for fire forming as it seemed quicker than making multiple dies.
Any other options for finding the right bullet.
Otto

Otto,
With that dia.and wt.,I think it would be worth your while to try different 44 mag cast bullets,sized to .420( or maybe 44-40 bullet,starting at .427).If you start with lubed bullet,simple sizing die w/o holes should work. I sized .439 bulets to .425 for my .404,but had to lube with Alox because lube grooves got wiped out.If you use black powder Alox won't work.Maybe Paperpatch 41 mag bullets,but would be light at about 200gr.I still think opening up your 405WCF mold is a viable option, unless you want to keep it for a 405 rifle.You should be able to buy a .416 standard mold pretty cheap and if too heavy face it off. Let us know how everything works out.
Mike

Mike,
I've ordered some 300 gr bullets that are .430" in diameter. I should have made a .420" sizing die by the time that they arrive. I'll start with 300 gr and test weights down to 260 gr.
Do you have any recommendation as to the weight reduction change for testing. I was planning to test 300, 280,and 260 gr bullets.
The pictures from the German Scheutzen bullet catalog (early 1900's), on the ASSRA website, are interesting. After I find the bullet weight that is preferred by my rifle, I plan to order one of these molds.
Otto

Otto,
I don't see anything wrong with your plan. My only suggestion would be, if you use a chuck instead of collet in adjusting the weight,I would size them after (to round them back up).
Mike

Getting the Drilling to shoot was easy enough but getting it regulated was not so easy. Luckily, the cases could be used in either barrel and required only minimum neck sizing between uses. I'm on the fifth reloading of the original 20 cases and they still look to be in fine shape.
The .430" bullets could be sized in a single pass to .419" but the .457" bullets used in the later testing required two sizing dies. All testing used 21 gr of 4198 powder and polyester fill. I shot from a bench rest at 50 yards and used a clamp on telescopic sight for all testing.
I got good groups with the 300 gr bullet but still had crossing at 50 yards. Finally the 400 gr bullet gave both good groups and good regulation with two shots from each barrel hitting within a 2" circle at 50 yards.
In the process of making the sizing dies, reloading dies and case making tooling, I made a set of chamber inserts to shoot the 41 Long Colt. While only coffee can accurate, they are fun to shoot. New cases are readily available and it should be interesting to see the results using proper size bullets in the reloads.
I still need to check to see if the iron sights need to be adjusted but after nearly three months,the S&M DR Drilling project is almost complete.
Otto

Sizing the bullets in the arbor press

The clamp on telescopic sight

The 400 gr bullet groups

Otto,
Good show!I wouldn't be too surprised if the "regulation"changes after you remove the scope.Doubles often shoot differently with and without scope.On the other hand it may be better w/o since it never had a scope. I'm from the old school and also used 4198 in this class cartridge. Recently, I've been having good luck with 5744 and Trail Boss( there are some velocity issues with Trail Boss- don't compress much).
Drive on.
Mike

Otto,

It's been a real pleasure watching you bring the old double rifle drilling back to life. Finding the combination of bullet weight and charge that gets the two barrels to shoot respectable groups is always rewarding. Having to make your brass as well adds yet another star to the accomplishment. Great job and fun post.

Buchseman