Echo23TC
Member
After discovering that my 625-4 had been the victim of a lousy, ham-fisted butcher, I took it to the range this afternoon.
It was 98 degrees according to the thermometer in the car, with a gusty breeze blowing from about 5 o'clock. I had the range to myself, so I got all set up and posted a 25 yard slow fire pistol target at 25 yards and hoped that the sights were regulated, since I'd forgotten my screwdrivers. Off a sandbag, the first shot printed about an inch below and left of point of aim. The rest of the cylinder all went onto the paper, about a 4" group. The load was a 200gr. LSWC over 4.5 gr. of Bullseye, with CCI large pistol primers in mixed brass. I went ahead and posted 4 targets with one inch bulls and got ready to fire some groups.
Imagine my surprise when my second cylinder full went into 2.25", two through the same hole, three others touching, and the last one right between them all. That was the best group of the day, 'cause after I had walked up to verify the target, I was so excited that I forgot to put my muffs back on. The round hit dead center, but it took me a bit to regain my equilibrium! I continued shooting, most groups were around 3-3.5". Then, the 37th round went pop instead of BANG and the trip was over. The bullet lodged under the threads, and I packed up and came home. Pushed the bullet out, cleaned her up, and she's stowed away until next weekend.
The round that didn't have powder was one of a pair of old 185gr. LSWC that had been lying around for probably 15 years - it's been that long since I cast any of those. After the pop, I noticed that the brass was extremely sooty, is that common with a squib? I've never had one before. I won't shoot the other one, just in case. It's going to be pulled apart here in a little while and disposed of.
Hey, but at least now I don't have to slug my barrel!
All in all, a good trip even though it was cut short.
It was 98 degrees according to the thermometer in the car, with a gusty breeze blowing from about 5 o'clock. I had the range to myself, so I got all set up and posted a 25 yard slow fire pistol target at 25 yards and hoped that the sights were regulated, since I'd forgotten my screwdrivers. Off a sandbag, the first shot printed about an inch below and left of point of aim. The rest of the cylinder all went onto the paper, about a 4" group. The load was a 200gr. LSWC over 4.5 gr. of Bullseye, with CCI large pistol primers in mixed brass. I went ahead and posted 4 targets with one inch bulls and got ready to fire some groups.
Imagine my surprise when my second cylinder full went into 2.25", two through the same hole, three others touching, and the last one right between them all. That was the best group of the day, 'cause after I had walked up to verify the target, I was so excited that I forgot to put my muffs back on. The round hit dead center, but it took me a bit to regain my equilibrium! I continued shooting, most groups were around 3-3.5". Then, the 37th round went pop instead of BANG and the trip was over. The bullet lodged under the threads, and I packed up and came home. Pushed the bullet out, cleaned her up, and she's stowed away until next weekend.
The round that didn't have powder was one of a pair of old 185gr. LSWC that had been lying around for probably 15 years - it's been that long since I cast any of those. After the pop, I noticed that the brass was extremely sooty, is that common with a squib? I've never had one before. I won't shoot the other one, just in case. It's going to be pulled apart here in a little while and disposed of.
Hey, but at least now I don't have to slug my barrel!
All in all, a good trip even though it was cut short.