.72 Kodiak at the range...1st time out!

[tarawa]

I picked up this .72 caliber Kodiak at an online auction site a while back and finally took it out. My first attempt about two months ago turned out to be a total disappointment when I discovered that my custom bullet mould was slightly off. The .715 round balls were actually .715 x .728 or so....not so round!
The mould maker explained that when he programmed his machinery, he had the cutter depth off and plunged the hole too deep. He apologised and sent me out a new mould immediately, but this time I asked him for a slightly smaller diameter (.705")

At the range I found that the new .705 size balls loaded easily with the .015" patch. I used 120 grains of American Pioneer FFG powder.
First two shots (right then left barrel) touched at 50 yards. I was thrilled. As the gun warmed up the shots started to spread a bit., but I could stilll hit the target. All in all a fun gun to shoot. I believe that I will use prelubed .020" patches the next time with the.705 balls. They loaded just a little too easy with the .015" patch. There was no cleaning necessary between shots and the gun was fired between 20 and thirty times.
It seemed that everyone at the range wanted a turn, so this was no science project...just making smoke!
Thanks to a fellow board member for providing me with a source, I have also ordered a conical mould from Brooks Moulds, so I may be shooting a 770grain slug the next time out. Lets see how many folks will want to shoot it the next time. I will be using Triple Seven the next time out, so I may have to adjust the loads a bit.

 

[Das Jaeger]

Sounds

like real fun and a great time too .
Thats an awsome gun , Cape Buffalo anyone !

Jaeger out , keep the reports a commin , way interesting stuff

 

[Stoney]

tarawa
Prior to getting the Brooks mould, I used .715 size Rush Creek Roundballs with a prelubed .015 patch with good effect, taking a few deer with that combination.
Talking with other people who have the .72 caliber Kodiak, we noted that bore size seems to vary from gun to gun. I sent my cast conicals to four other 72 caliber Kodiak owners, two Kodiak owners said they shot very well and fit into the bore of the rifle with no problem, however, two other Kodiak owners said my cast bullets were to small for there barrels, and they had to size the bullets.

Your right about the Kodiak's ability to draw a crowd at the range, you don't see a lot of double rifles, so most people think it's a shotgun until you start loading up and making smoke. Looking forward to hearing your report on your conicals.

 

[Pulp]

Pictures please. Preferably with flame and smoke.

 

[tarawa]

I will post pictures of the carnage when I get the new mould. Hopefully it isn't of me!

 

[alemonkey]

Congratulations, those guns are so cool. I'm jealous.

And, yes, we need smoke and fire pics!