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Post by ncmtnshunter on Mar 21, 2017 9:00:41 GMT -5
Got a chance to shoot the bbl yesterday before work and was amazed at the accuracy of the conversion. Still testing some loads but started out with 55 grains of H4198 and got the vortex zeroed at 50 yards. Bumped it up to 58 but saw that the sabot skirt was curling up and around so I may try some 56 and 57 grain loadings and see what the sabot readings show. Also ordered some 240 grain CEB Maximus .40 cals to try out as well since I'll be seeing the groupings at 100 yards next. Just wanted to send out a Thank You to Jeff for the conversion and everyone here that has shared their knowledge. Now I'll just need to readjust my budget since the smokeless world means plenty of tweaks and testing.
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Post by jimmykip on Mar 21, 2017 19:12:37 GMT -5
Sweet. I just shot mine for the first time a week ago. Ive got a Hankins converted CVA Hunter. Quickly had 100 groups about tennis ball size. I'd of been tighter with a rear rest I'm sure. I've got one ordered. Good luck.
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Post by Richard on Mar 21, 2017 20:32:35 GMT -5
Keep that credit card Primed and Ready there ncmtnshunter as your going to need it!
Welcome to the board!
I am down in the Hickory area!
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Post by smokelessk on Mar 22, 2017 9:55:56 GMT -5
Was your rifle chambered in 45-70? My best friend is considering having Jeff do a conversion on the 45-70 Katahdin. I'm curious how yours performs for you. Are you only going to run sabot loads?
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Post by ncmtnshunter on Mar 22, 2017 22:06:45 GMT -5
It was the 45/70 katahdin and I really enjoy it the first little bit I've had to sight in the vortex scope. Right now it's only zeroed at 50 yards with the 200 grain xtps and smooth blue harvester sabots. I just got my Cutting Edge 240 grain Maximus .40 cal to try out but as of now I'll stick with sabot loads. Once I get familiar with it I may try out some smooth sized bullets but it's quite a change from bh209 out of my CVA Optima rifle. I still like the smokepoles but decided to upgrade to smokeless and the encore platform I've had since I worked at Ruger in Newport NH. Your friend will really love the converted version with the HIS ignition system since its so very clean and no leakage whatsoever.
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Post by smokelessk on Mar 23, 2017 5:32:26 GMT -5
The HIS is a great design. He just did a Remington 700/Brux barrel setup for me. I have a feeling that once you get a sizing die and have it tweaked to where it needs to be you'll prefer it to sabots. The die is a worthwhile investment.
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Post by ncmtnshunter on Mar 23, 2017 9:31:38 GMT -5
Hopefully I can get out in the next few days to try out the cutting edge bullets in it. Still a learning curve but we'll see about the smooth sizing die since I used to use 300 grain xtps for years back in NH,NY, and VT blackpowder seasons. I'm planning on trying the sizing die later on since I'm sure going sabotless will be alot quicker on the cleaning side. Are you running any wads with your setup or straight bullet on powder? Thanks
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Post by YankeeReb on Mar 23, 2017 10:24:48 GMT -5
Before I switched powders (only because I ran out) my go to load for my optima elite 45/70 conversion was 57gr of h4198 with a 200gr sst or xtp with a harvester smooth blue.
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Post by smokelessk on Mar 23, 2017 22:48:26 GMT -5
I'm not using any wads only bare bullets. I've got a stockpile of 300 grain XTP's and a handful of SST's that I'll be running through it. Honestly haven't done much shooting with it. Just enough to get the sizing die set to where it should be. That takes some experimenting. I enjoy not having the extra variable of the sabot. Far as cleaning difference it's either copper fouling or plastic fouling. Whichever you feel easier to scrub.
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Post by ncmtnshunter on Mar 24, 2017 9:13:37 GMT -5
I also ordered some Harvester PT Gold in 300 grain for my optima rifle since the maximus 240's want a 1:24 or faster twist. I may try some of those as land riders but I just sent an e-mail to CEB about tooling up a .45 cal loader for the hollowpoints. They offer one in .50 cal but I had to modify my bullet starter for the maximus and luckily my spin jag .45 cal works well without damaging the ogive on the bullets. Just need to do some shooting maybe saturday but work is getting busy and weather isn't cooperating.
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Post by ncmtnshunter on Mar 24, 2017 9:19:30 GMT -5
Just got a reply back from Nikki at Cutting Edge and they will be getting a .45 cal loader onto the website shortly!!!
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Post by smokelessk on Mar 24, 2017 19:58:09 GMT -5
I also ordered some Harvester PT Gold in 300 grain for my optima rifle since the maximus 240's want a 1:24 or faster twist. I may try some of those as land riders but I just sent an e-mail to CEB about tooling up a .45 cal loader for the hollowpoints. They offer one in .50 cal but I had to modify my bullet starter for the maximus and luckily my spin jag .45 cal works well without damaging the ogive on the bullets. Just need to do some shooting maybe saturday but work is getting busy and weather isn't cooperating. I've got almost 1,000 of the 300 grain Harvester PT Gold bullets for sale on the buy sell page for 45 cents a piece. |
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