Brenden

Lemski, there is something about those 6.5's isn't there. I really want the 6.5-06 AI but I just can't do it with having a 25-06 and .270. I hate being rational. I'm killing my gun budget with my most recent project, my cast bullet 7x57 build. One of these days I'll get my act together. Brenden

Pm me your address as well and I will send a money order out. Brenden

I remember the "load". I actually went back about two months ago and 're-read the article you had wrote Karl. I'm pretty excited over the whole cast idea. I need to get my barrel and some Lyman data and try some different combinations. I just want a fun gun. No shooting for max velocity, or bug hole groups; just a plinker. Thanks guys. Now to decide what caliber I need. Brenden

Why do you think Trail boss is a bad choice Dave? The article I read "Quiet time with Trail boss" made it out to be the best thing around for low velocity, low pressure loads. They only expiremented with jacketed bullets though at velocities around 1000. That's why I wondered it there is a possibility of plugging the bore when the gun is fired. I didn't know how fast you normally ran cast bullets. With powders like 2400, is a filler needed to make up for the unused space? I know with trail boss one can fill the case to the brim and not have any pressure issues. 2400 isn't as flexible is it? I haven't dealt much with fast burning powders so excuse my ignorance. Glad you chimed in Dave, I know you have a lot of knowledge in this area. Thanks, Brenden

Good evening everyone. I had a wild idea the other day, well actually I've been thinking about this for a while. I read an article about using trail boss powder for a quiet report as well as low pressure round. I have a junk 93 action that would be great for something like this. I have never tried cast bullets before so I thought I may throw these in the mix as well. For those of you that cast, do any of you load with trail boss for a " just for fun" round? Will trail boss push an oversized bullet such as cast out the barrel or will I have a plug in the bore? I'm thinking of a 7x57 or 6.5x55 for a cartridge. Velocity won't be more than 1000-1200 fps so I may not even use a gas checked bullet unless leading occurs or if I bump up the velocity via a different powder within pressure range. My next question would be if I should buy a take off barrel or just buy a cheap barrel like Adams and Bennett? I want this to be a cheap build as I have around $30 in this Oveido 93 action. Any other advice or comments would be appreciated. You all have forgot more about cast bullets than I will ever know... Thanks, Brenden

Hello all. Its been a while since ive came around. Ive built a few guns the past two years, and have many unfinished projects to add to the list as well. I have a spare 98 action laying around that doesn't have a barrel yet and I could use some help. I have been pondering the Ackley Improved cartridges for something diffrent as well as several standard chamberings. Needless to say, I'm lost as what chamber i need. All I know is I'm getting tired of recoil from the 30's and 7mm magnums. Chamber choices have included 6.5-06 ackley, 6.5x55, 6mm-06, and the 7mm Mauser in AI or standard or a 280. I thought about 9.3x62 or 35 Whelen but its not pratical for me and the recoil may be a factor. So far i have the following calibers: 243, 25-06, 30-06, 270, 8mm-06, 308, 7mm mag, 7mm STW, 338-06, 223, 7mm-08, 6.5x55 ( short barrel 96) 8mm mauser and 30-30. Ive looked at the old standby (ER Shaw) but i would like to try Shilen. Lowthar Walther was on the list but a long chambered barrel isn't pratical for me as i don't have a lathe and I dont want to set it back with files. Would the Shlien be short chambered enough to ream to AI if I go that route without having to set it back? Just a lot to ponder. My biggest problem is I have so many chamberings that overlap performance wise. I love big belted magnums, but im getting to be a big wuss at the ripe old age of 25. Funny how prespective changes over time.... Brenden

Glad to hear you are on the mend. Scared me a little when they thought it was heart related. speedy recovery to you. brenden

Good evening everyone. I haven't been doing much gun work recently, well for the past two years anyway. I've have a project for a customer that I hadn't done much with. He handed me a 1944 German 98 action with a 2 inch stub of barrel and said for me to build him a 7mm-08. Well, that was two years ago.... I did manage to drill and tap it about a year ago, and then it sat in a deep dark place on my bench...until now! He ordered a Dakota 3 position safety for this build. To say that I was nervous to install this was an understatement. I considered farming this out, but over the past few weeks I kept telling myself that I could do it. I sat down yesterday and made the few cuts and milled the safety catch into the bolt body, and by gosh, it works! I did learn one thing; just because the directions say to grind on something, check it before you do. It went against my logic that there was no need to grind the cocking piece to the 25 degree angle Dakota suggested. I figured that one would need to grind this in order to get back from fire to the safe position. I ground it down checking for function with each pass of the bit, and it worked, but was very stiff. Finally, I took too much off of it and the cocking piece is now a paper weight. Luckily I had a spare, un-altered cocking piece and decided to try it out. It flips to all three positions slicker that goose poo. Haven't taken any pictures yet; if you've seen one 3 position safety you've seen them all. I will hopefully weld the bolt handle up this weekend. May have some pictures to post then. I've got more time on my hands now that I no longer work in the great state of PA. Glad to have a job closer to home. The free time will end soon; we have a baby boy due the 14th of May! Hope all are doing well. Brenden

You say you are not looking for a magnum caliber in these old actions; some of the rounds you mention operate at the same pressure as a magnum. A 260 is a high pressure waste of a round in my opinion. A 6.5x55 will duplicate it at lower pressures. I really like a 6.5x55, 338-06, and I think a 270 or 280 would be a good caliber. Brenden

I got a chance to shoot the 375 last night and I may be in love. Very accurate and recoil with that muzzle brake is non-existent. I was throwing 225 grain Hornady's at around 2000 f.p.s and there wasn't a rock safe. I'm going to try a few different powders but most likely stick with the 225's. It is very pleasant to shoot. Brenden

I have wanted a hunting pistol for a while now and decided to purchase one. I orginally wanted a 7-30 Waters but decided to look at the JDJ line of cartiages. I came across this for a decient price and here it is; my hand cannon! it is on an Encore frame with a Bushnell 2x6 Elite scope. Should make a nice deer hunting rig. May need the muzzle brake! 375 jdj case next to a loaded 357 mag round Brenden

I have been shooting Sierra 120 grain flat base bullets out of my 6.5x55 with 47.5 grains of Reloader 19. Sierra suggests IMR 4320 as their hunting powder but fast powders in that case do not do it justice IMO. I am using a Adams and Bennet barrel as well, 21" in lenght. Have not recorded the velocity yet though. Use my loads at your risk only, they work fine in my gun but maybe not in yours (have to add that disclaimer to protect myself, you all know how it is) Brenden

Like tanglewood said, seat the bullets out more. Those groups arn't bad, remember you describe the bore as being dark; don't expect groups in the .2-.4 range. Walking of the groups is due to heat and flex in the barrel. What is the length of that monster? Ditch Varget, go with something slower such as Re-19, IMR 4350 or even 4831. Re-19 has been the powder for my 6.5. Brenden

I sent in my reamer for others in the co-op to use. Not for somebody to "borrow" to chamber a customer’s barrel and acquire personal gain. I don't mind helping somebody out, but I’m not fond of somebody making money off of an item that I sent in in order to have access to these reamers. There will be problems if this happens and everyone will most likely pull their reamer out. I know I will pull mine, but that’s me. Brenden

I've used the co-op several times and have been pleased with it. I feel that it is the best thing going for those of us that do our own work. Mike has always responded to me and got what I needed shipped quickly. I can't see why anybody would complain. Mike is pleasant, and quick. No, he may not sleep by his computer waiting for somebody to contact him and it may be a day or two before he gets back to you, but for a man to do this on his own time and not seek reimbursement (that I am aware of); that tells you all you need to know about him. He’s a good man. Brenden

I really enjoy mine. It has the 9.5 or 10 inch barrel, I can't remember which. I have taken several squirrels at ranges up to 45 yards. Mine is very accurate, and the option to quickly change to 22 mag is a plus. Cheap in price, yes. Quality wise, they are a good revolver that stand up to a lot of abuse. The case "kicker" is one thing that seems cheaply made and could be fastened to the frame better and if you get one with the fiber optic front site, watch out because they break easily. Other than that, if you have the chance buy one, go for it. Brenden

Always did want a .300 Savage. I bought a spanish action four years ago just for a .300 or a .250 Savage. If I ever get around to it I will go the .300 route. Its a great round that deserves more attention; it may not be a high pressure kill em' for a mile round or the latest "Ultra Something" but it is a classic. Like Clemson said, shouldn't be a problem to feed. I'd save that 98 for something else if it was me, but its your gun and if you want a .300 go for it! Brenden

Good evening all. I picked up a new gun at work the other day after telling some guys about building off mauser actions. One guy said he had one that he would sell me cheap; and the next day he brought me this. Is it a Columbia model 50, or a 24/30. Its standard length, 30-06 on the barrel, looks like small ring, but I can't remember which model has the bullet cut, and the crest appears scrubbed with no other markings except a serial number and what looks like three circles with a verticle line (like a clover). It does have a lot of surface rust, but no under the stock line pitting. I figured for $50 bucks, I couldn't pass it up. It has a sporter stock on it that is rough but not cracked and may clean up nicely. Brenden

Nice grouping and nice gun. Those A&B barrels are something; low priced and good shooters. You've got me wanting a big bore now. Brenden

.416 is a round that I have thought about adding to my savage barrel collection. I was thinking a .416 Rem Mag, but a Taylor is nice if you need more than one shot in a standard length action. I think you have a nice gun there. You are moving along nicely. Are you going to weld a new bolt handle on or just keep it straight and open sites only? Either way, that is a nice looking gun in a stomper cal. Brenden

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone. I appreciate you guys being there for me throughout all of this. Not an easy time for us, but we have gotten lots of support that has helped us through this. Thank you again. Brenden

After a long battle, my father passed away this morning at 5:00 am. His heart had given out on him Tuesday afternoon, and after close to a half hour of working on him, they got his heart started again. He was on life support to keep him going. They did an EEG and it showed severe brain damage, but no function. The doctor said he would be a vegetable the rest of his life if he even made it much longer. Dad didn't want that; we took him off the support, and he quietly passed away in his sleep surrounded by his family. For death, it was the most beautiful picture you could imagine. He is with God now, and he is healthy and happy now. He had been out of the hospital a week and doing great. He was eating like he always did, and even a neighbor said he was like the "old Marvin" that he had always seen. We had a very good week with him, and had a blast. He watched me shoot his gun that I built him for Christmas, and in his words, "That is a shooting son of a gun!" He was very excited about the grouping. He even went out and helped my mother saddle up the horses and watched her ride for an hour. This was much unexpected, one minute he was laughing and talking, the next he was gone. I miss him very much to say the least. He was the best dad, and my best friend. Just an all around good fellow. Here is a picture of him on his horse Cookie; he had just started breaking this horse to ride before he became ill in February. Thank you all for your support throughout this. Brenden

Well done Karl. You did what was best, you were polite. Just be careful Sir. I know the feeling well when somebody threatens you, all you want to do is stomp them into the ground. You handled yourself well; I would have flipped out if a man said something like that to me. We live out in the country; it's 30 minutes to the nearest police department. By the time they get here, nobody has a clue to why neighbor x is sitting up in the driveway holding his head. Growing up in Brooklyn, I’m sure that was quite the experience. Brenden

Thanks for sharing that. I enjoy seeing/reading post like this. Glad you all got to have a great time and put meat in the freezer as well. Brenden

Rob, I hate to hear about your dog. I know they are the best friend a person can have. You've enjoyed her for many years, as she has enjoyed being around you. I'd rather put down a dog than see it suffer; it's tough, but its the respectable thing to do. Sorry for your loss Sir. Brenden