Shot those Lee Conicials Today
My neighbor and I were on his range today. We trade out. Mine one week, his the next. That keeps the wives semi happy
After punching out some paper at 100 with the 45-70's, I sauntered down to about 12.5 yds. and opened up with the '58 loaded with 24 gr. of 777 and the Lee 200 RN's. At that range they printed real well. Dropped another cylinder in and went back to 25. From there the Lee's were about 1.75" higher than with RB's (expected) but the group was tight. I was shooting from a seated poosition with a tree at my back and my knees drawn up to sort of clamp my arms in between. A trick my dear old dad taught me.
The group was just over 2.5" and almost centered, about 1" high. That ain't bad for me. Another load was fired at 50 yds. and there I was not so hot:banghead: I was trying too hard by that time and got all cramped up and just didn't do well. My neighbor shot it from that range, but he's not a C&B type guy. He didn't do worth a hoot!
I went and sat down. Slugged down a Dr. Pepper. Had a smoke. Reloaded, and went back to 50. I was determined. I put 5 out of 6 on paper with a low group about 10" across. I was dropping a bit, but I was trying for a group to see where I was at. A second loading with 28 gr. 777 faired much better. The group was just under the bull and spread out about 7.5" to almost 8". I can live with that.
So, can one shoot conicals in a '58 Pietta and get it on paper? Well....ahhh...
SURE
Does it group as good as RB's? Almost
Was it worth the wait and the 20 bucks for the mould? Heck yeah
Now I have a mould that cast 200 gr. perfect .450 dia. slugs that I can also double wrap as a paper patch light bullet for my 45-70
It's a win win situation for me!!
Wade