At lunch time today, I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the range to try out three different loads. My rifle is an original Springfield 1888 .45-70 made 118 years ago, but in fantastic shape. Here's a photo .....
The first load was a bit scary for me to try. I read about using cream of wheat filler in old cartridges, but I'd never tried it before. I loaded up just 5 cartridges with 30 grains of IMR 3031 plus 1/4 teaspoon (rounded) under a 500 grain SAECO RNPB boolit that I'd cast last fall. I'd loaded these 5 rounds up last fall, but was waiting to get up the courage to shoot them. Finally, I figured today's the day. I laid the rifle barrel across my shooting bag and took careful aim through the peep of the Buffington sight, making sure my arms were well back in case she blew, and I pulled the trigger. After three rounds, I went down to take a look. At 100 yards, the 3 shots made a nice little 11/16" group. This load looks like it has potential and gives a hefty 1,170 fps. Here's a photo of the target ...
For the next two loads, I only had 2 bullets and three bullets respectively, so I figured I'd use the remaining two cream of wheat loads to adjust my sights a little closer to centre.
The next load was 30 grains of IMR 4198 under a 340 grain FNPB bullet. A fellow had sent me three, but one had a bad casting flaw, so I only had two shots. I took aim and let 'er rip. Velocity was 1,416 fps and, man, was the point of impact ever different than the 500 grain boolits. The thumb tack at the top left corner of the target was obliterated, but both bullets went in within 1/4" of each other. A 2-shot group of 1/4" at 100 yards isn't all that bad.
The final load was 30 grains of IMR 4198 under a 405 grain FNPB boolit which gave 1,410 fps. I only had three of these, so I let 'er fly and then went down to take a look. a 3-shot group of 2 & 11/16" at 100 yards. Not bad. Here's a photo ....
As you may have guessed, that 500 grain cream of wheat load has my attention. I'll be loading up some more of that to try again. The 340 grain bullet also gave phenomenal accuracy, but since I don't have that mould, I won't be doing any more work with that one for the near future. I'd like to do some more work with the 405 grain bullet. I got a bunch of them to work with. Maybe a little cream of wheat ...?
The first load was a bit scary for me to try. I read about using cream of wheat filler in old cartridges, but I'd never tried it before. I loaded up just 5 cartridges with 30 grains of IMR 3031 plus 1/4 teaspoon (rounded) under a 500 grain SAECO RNPB boolit that I'd cast last fall. I'd loaded these 5 rounds up last fall, but was waiting to get up the courage to shoot them. Finally, I figured today's the day. I laid the rifle barrel across my shooting bag and took careful aim through the peep of the Buffington sight, making sure my arms were well back in case she blew, and I pulled the trigger. After three rounds, I went down to take a look. At 100 yards, the 3 shots made a nice little 11/16" group. This load looks like it has potential and gives a hefty 1,170 fps. Here's a photo of the target ...
For the next two loads, I only had 2 bullets and three bullets respectively, so I figured I'd use the remaining two cream of wheat loads to adjust my sights a little closer to centre.
The next load was 30 grains of IMR 4198 under a 340 grain FNPB bullet. A fellow had sent me three, but one had a bad casting flaw, so I only had two shots. I took aim and let 'er rip. Velocity was 1,416 fps and, man, was the point of impact ever different than the 500 grain boolits. The thumb tack at the top left corner of the target was obliterated, but both bullets went in within 1/4" of each other. A 2-shot group of 1/4" at 100 yards isn't all that bad.
The final load was 30 grains of IMR 4198 under a 405 grain FNPB boolit which gave 1,410 fps. I only had three of these, so I let 'er fly and then went down to take a look. a 3-shot group of 2 & 11/16" at 100 yards. Not bad. Here's a photo ....
As you may have guessed, that 500 grain cream of wheat load has my attention. I'll be loading up some more of that to try again. The 340 grain bullet also gave phenomenal accuracy, but since I don't have that mould, I won't be doing any more work with that one for the near future. I'd like to do some more work with the 405 grain bullet. I got a bunch of them to work with. Maybe a little cream of wheat ...?
