The Firearms
MagEzine
A publication of
CenterFire Central
http://www.centerfirecentral.com
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The Firearms MagEzine is no longer published
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VOL. 2 ISSUE
Circulation 1100
IN THIS ISSUE
THE EDITOR'S NOTES
A Day at the Range
WHAT'S NEW AT CENTERFIRE CENTRAL
Wildcat/Improved - Section
FEATURE ARTICLE - KEEPING RECORDS
By
PRODUCT REVIEW
The Ruger Model 77 Mark II
By
RESOURCES
Other resources for related information
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A WORD OF CAUTION
CenterFire Central and contributing writers are not responsible for mishaps of any kind which may occur from use or misuse of data or information published, electronically or otherwise by CenterFire Central. Activities involving firearms, ammunition, components and equipment require strict safety precautions and training which are not detailed herein.
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EDITOR'S NOTES
A Day at the Range
On a recent afternoon trip to the range, I hurriedly set up the chronograph and spotting scope along with the other plethora of gear and went to work.
I was working at the 100 yard range and really was not paying much attention to the shorter range benches off to my right. I did notice a couple of people get into a pickup and back out to leave. They stopped the truck in the middle of the lot and a teenager came over and asked "are you working for a company doing some testing or something?" I responded with "no, just working on a couple of rifles." He had not seen a chronograph before and inquired as to what it was.
What it boiled down to was, they were having problems with a new rifle and scope and needed some help. I said I would be happy to help and the he informed me they had run out of shells but could get to town and get some right quick if I would be there for a little bit. Confident I would shoot till dark or ran out of shells, I said "I'll be here."
They sped away and were back shortly. Upon return, they handed me a brand
new
Elsewhere, I have written about the Savage synthetic in 270 that I owned briefly; you know, the one that weighed 4 pounds and had a 35 pound recoil. Anyway, this was basically the same package I had just been handed. The only difference being another 20 or so grains of powder.
I fastened the
We never found the first shot, but we saw dirt fly so knew the bullet had left the gun. We discovered it was shooting about 4 miles to the right and a tad low. I adjusted the scope and touched off another scud missile. We found it on paper, still to the right but much closer. Three or four more shots and I handed the gun back to them.
They were thrilled. I suggested they try it even though they both looked as though a grizzly had mauled their shoulders. It was obvious that this stomper had dealt them a fit for at least 2 boxes of shells. The father sat down and squeezed one off that landed about one and a half inches high and left of my final shot. His son fired one that landed about one inch left of my final shot. One shot each seemed to be all they were interested in. They were content with the scope settings so
we locked down the caps and called it good.
They left happy as a pair of pigs in the mud. It took all of 15 minutes of my time to change their attitude from disgruntled, to pleased with a new Christmas present. A gift to a father from his sons, most likely for repayment of guns found under the tree in years past.
It was nice to be able to help a fellow shooter. I appreciate the help that I have gotten from other shooters in the past and will no doubt need again.
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WHAT'S NEW
AT CENTERFIRE CENTRAL
Wildcat/Improved
- Section
A new section has been added to the site to accommodate load data for Wildcat and/or Improved cartridges.
Several individuals had inquired about this and it is now up and running.
The data that had been entered into regular load data but was non-standard, will eventually be transferred over to the new section.
I appreciate the input from subscribers and site visitors and hope that you find additions and changes to the site beneficial.
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THIS MONTH'S FEATURE ARTICLE
Keeping Records
There a couple of reloading tools that I could give up, however, my records are not one of them.
Records are essential tools for safe reloading and include many pieces of information. The more information I keep, the more useful I find the records.
On each load that I assemble, I keep the following information:
Powder
Charge
Primer
Bullet
Case
Case status
Case length
Overall length
Date
Number of rounds loaded
Expected velocity
Actual velocity
Chronograph date
Comments
Target results
Evolving from a spiral notebook to a computer database has enhanced the process considerably.
I started recording lot numbers and specifics about bullets, i.e. length, actual weight, style numbers and more, then decided to turn it into a relational database to limit the number of keystrokes.
When I get ready to go to the range, I print off a report of recent work, (loads that will be going to the range with me) and added space for notes at the range. When I return home, I enter the notes into the database and have a tool for the assessment of load performance.
I stumbled in to a software program that is more elaborate and does some calculations to boot: "The Reload Inventory Clerk 1.5" from Heavy Metal Software Co.
This software keeps running totals on component inventory, which is great when you get ready to go to a gun show or place an order elsewhere for components. It calculates a "per round" cost on loads you put together based on the "current inventory." The demo version does not let you play with the report functions but it looks like a comprehensive list of options.
You can download a demo version of "The Reload Inventory Clerk", from their site at: http://www.heavymetalsoftware.com/
They also have a couple of other products that I have not had time to check out, but will soon.
A major part of my records and load evaluation process includes the actual target. Sounds like a no-brainer but yet you see used targets hanging at the range all the time. I like to bring my targets home and make notes on them for future reference.
The database I set up in Microsoft Access, lets me scan the target and make it viewable from the actual load recipe. Having made legible notes on the target that include temperature, wind speed and even light conditions has proven very helpful.
I create a new record for every load, even if it is a combination that I use often. This lends itself to tracking a "loading session" by date. A single record for a favorite combination would quickly become cumbersome with dates and case status changes, i.e. trimmed or neck sized, so a new record seems to make more sense. A database makes this format nice as it can be sorted any number of ways.
In summary, records are a necessary evil. It takes discipline and requires attention to detail, much like reloading itself. The end result is well worth the effort whether you use a notebook or a computer program.
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PRODUCT REVIEW
Ruger Model 77 Mark II
By
Bound for the 1999 Prairie Dog Conference, I mailed my Christmas list early to Santa Claus. She agreed to let me pick out my choice of rifles and so I did.
I picked up a new Ruger M77 Mark II chambered in 220 Swift, the first of November. This is my first "New Rifle" since 1977, so you can imagine I was a little excited. Here is a picture of most of the gun. Ruger 220 Swift
If you have visited CenterFire Central recently, you may have seen my notes on the 220 Swift as I have attempted to keep the site up-to-date on my progress with the rifle.
Going over the new rifle once I got home with it, I have found it to be nearly perfect.
"Nearly perfect" is kind of like "the right break-in procedure", I guess it is all a matter of opinion.
The hardware is smooth as glass. The finish seems to be consistent throughout with no marks or shiny spots with one exception that bothered me until I shot it. The crown has a nick or scratch that should not have been there. Here is a picture of it. I don't believe that it is going to be a problem but still wish it was not there. 220 Crown
The gun has a 3 position safety which I really like. The middle position is for loading and unloading which certainly calms your nerves a little when compared to my older Remington 700 with a 2 position safety.
The target trigger is fantastic. It has about 1/8th inch free travel and crisp release at a shade over 2 pounds. A light trigger catches me off guard from time to time at the range but this one has not done so yet. I think the free travel gives me a feeling of confidence that the next "pressure" will release the sear, so I am prepared.
The stock is laminated and I guess I would call it a medium color stain. It too is smooth and the fit to the gun looks good. The barrel is floating to the lug and is pretty much right down the middle of the groove in the stock. The bolt groove and ejector side of the receiver have square edges that could chip or wear down in time. I have even been tempted to try and smooth it up a little but have not done so. Bolt Groove
The forearm is beavertail style and measures just under 2.5 inches wide. I don't shoot in competition, so I don't know if this is a "good" size or not but it sure is stable on the front rest. It attracts some attention at the range; it is a beautiful gun. They all want to know what it is and comment on the appearance. That does not make it shoot any better, but it is nice to hear.
The rifle came with "High" scope rings for the integral bases and they are really nice. Finished to match the gun, they too are smooth and seem to be square with the world. I have mounted a Bushnell 4x12x40 AO scope on it and intend to mount a scope of higher magnification soon. The scope does not clear the chamber so a 40 mm, in this length is about all there is room for with the adjustable objective. 40mm Objective Clearance
The instruction manual is well written and thorough, which shines in comparison to some that I have seen. I like the warranty, "If you have a problem, contact us" not in 2 years or 5, just "if".
I ran 1 box of factory ammo through it and jumped in and started reloading
for it. As of this writing I have fired it just over 100 times. These targets
are from the last trip out with the gun on
Santa has not shot it yet but wants to as soon as warmer weather arrives. I have to get really good with it first because she has put me to shame on occasion in the past. I'd say beginners luck but it has happened more than once.
I offered to put a gun under the tree for her but she is content to shoot mine once in a while and informed me that if it is under the tree it should have diamonds and be a wearable item.
She must still love me though, she bought me some 220 brass for Christmas and I gave in and bought her jewelry. Maybe for her birthday, nah.
Bill Wade
You can read more about my experience with the 220 Swift here.
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OTHER RESOURCES
S.A.A.M.I. http://www.saami.org/#stand
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Copyright 1999 by CenterFire Central
All Rights Reserved
