Before my eyes go bad, I bought a new rifle...

[Gewehr98]

Very business-like, I might add. Kinda makes all this sniper/tactical/precision rifle hoo-haw seem just so last week, don't it?

I'm busy working up a new 500gr Spitzer long-range load for it, we'll see if 32" of barrel is the magic number for proper charcoal combustion. Now where are all those nancy-boys here who keep saying the .45-70 makes a good short-range 100 yard cartridge? Same for those who suffer from magnumitis.

 

[Preacherman]

<wipes drool and slobber off keyboard>

Gewehr, sometimes I really, really hate you!

Lovely rifle, indeed. Please give us a range report as soon as possible!

 

[Gewehr98]

Preacherman, that's the young mistress I was seeking absolution before, remember?

My wandering eye finally gave in. I just hope she can get along with the other girls in the G-98 harem/gun safe.

Forget the range report, I'm looking forward to the bison tenderloins in the freezer...

 

[Preacherman]

Weeell, I'll forgo the range report, as long as I'm invited to taste-test the tenderloins!

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I'm so jealous....

I saw a Quigley at Cabelas a couple of weeks ago when I took the oldest and his girlfriend. They caught me looking at it, too.

Maybe...just maybe...I won't get another set of socket wrenches for Christmas from the kids this year.


That's a beautiful rifle, Gewehr...I'm anxious to hear how it does at 1500 yards. Planning any trips to Adobe Walls anytime soon?


Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[mustanger98]

Nice'un. Actually, that is pretty close to the original sniper rifle. Magnum ubertacticool nothing... I guess we've all seen Quigley Down Under. I've been wanting one of those for a long time, but it seems it kicks in the checkbook harder than the shoulder.

Now, for a long range target load, a couple of the guys at the club were talking about their pet loads... seems they like a 405gr cast lead over either 12grs Unique or 20grs 2400. With the 2400, they're using a square of toilet tissue to hold the powder back to the primer for more consistent pressure. They're also leaving the bullets seated a bit long so when they push it into the chamber, it'll seat the bullet against the barrel's lands. Of course, this won't be feasible for a hunting load.

 

[jefnvk]

If I could raid anyone's gun cabinet here, it would probably be yours.

You just got too many toys that I want.

 

[Gewehr98]

No smokeless powder for this rifle.

Well, not initially. I've been working on proper FFg blackpowder loads, with a WonderWad and those mahh-ve-louss 500gr swaged spitzer bullets I posted about earlier. No need to really push things with this old falling block design, I have 32 inches of charcoal burn time in the barrel, so the bullets will get there eventually. As long as I have enough elevation in the rear vernier sight, that is...

Although, for fun I may just send a bunch of 405gr cast flatnoses downrange using my favorite Alliant 2400 plinking load. Having a Ruger #1 as a test bed for load development helps a bunch.

 

[Jim Watson]

Oh, you've got enough elevation for maybe 1000 yards.

From my reading a Wonder Wad may not be effective in a cartridge. If they don't shoot, try the Walters "vegetable fiber" hard card wad, that is what nearly half the BPCR shooters I know use. The other near half use his polyethylene wads. The few others cut their own wads out of this, that, and the other substance.

I trust you know about compression dies, BP bullet lube, etc.

 

[Gewehr98]

Oh, yeah. Been working up to this rifle for some time now.

I don't use compression dies, though. I have a 3' drop tube made from a Rossignol aluminum ski pole, and that does a nice job of compressing the powder stack.

I've been lucky so far, Wonder Wads have been doing a very nice job behind a similar 450gr swaged bullet in my Ruger #1, but I may have to go with something different later. Milk carton wads, hat felt wads with a grease cookie, or even just go with the gas checked version of the 500gr spitzer. The nice thing is that the 500gr spitzer doesn't take up a lot of case capacity, which leaves more room for propellant.

For lube I've been using Crisco, Butter-Flavored Crisco, or SPG. I'll probably lean real heavily on the SPG lube for the Sharps rifle, I think the Crisco will only last the first 20 or so inches of the bore.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Wow, congrats. I've fired a few 45-70 black powder loads out of Smoke Rizen's rolling block. Great fun.

You might try PMing him, he doesn't get on the boards too often, and he might not see this. He's worked up a couple of good longe range black powder loads.

 

[cox3497]

Gewehr98,

Beautiful rifle. I intend to get myself one like that one day.

My main point in writing is to tell you that your signature is awesome. Every time I read that line I can't help from smiling. I can just imagine Pooh as he says that very thing while easing the bolt forward on another round Bravo on a great signature.

cox3497

 

[Gewehr98]

Cox3497, thank you.

But if you think the signature is awesome, you simply must see the graphic that goes along with it, courtesy of one of the moderators here: