[kciH]

My CZ550 Safari in .416 Rigby is at the gunshop as we speak. I've got most of the loading components on hand as well. The weather is even in the 70's, instead of the high 90's/low 100's. The problem is that I had nose surgery on Friday and can't even drive to the darn shop to pick it up, and my doctor has recommended not drawing a bow for 3-4 weeks (archery season starts in 2 weeks), let a lone shooting large caliber magnum rifles! I will have to say that this truly sucks!

I know, I should quit whining.

 

[kciH]

Marshall,
the pain isn't too bad anymore, but that is also why I can't drive. High grade, prescribed, narcotics are my best friend right now. The annoyance factor is very high when you've got tubes stiched into your nose, I'm afraid to prime cases as a result of "drainage". This has been about the first decent shooting weekend in six weeks and I'm stuck in the house, my wife will need a vacation by the end of the week.

What do you think is the highest velocity I should attempt with a Linotype alloy in this bore size? I've cast some bullets from a RCBS 350gr FN GC mould I picked up for this rifle. I've got to slug the bore/throat before I order a sizing die for my new Star sizer, so that will help eat some time. Would you reccomend breaking the barrel in with jacketed bullets or lead? straight to lapping?

Thanks.

 

[kciH]

Marshall,
thanks for the input on this. The sizer has Orange Magic in it already, so that will probably be what is used first. It's what I've been using in general and have had satisfactory results so far. The load level you mention sounds good, since it is a rough duplicate of factory velocity with the heavier 400 gr loads. This rifle will probably see more lead than jacketed bullets, except for load development for the actual hunting load. I think some reduced recoil loads will be in order to get in the practice with this rifle.

I see that your lube is advertised as being non-sticky and needing heat to flow through the sizer, which is the case with the lube I'm currently using also. In your opinion, do you think it would be to my advantage to switch over from the Orange Magic. Most of my lead bullets go through handguns of various sorts, the highest velocities I typicall go to would be just shy of 2000 fps with my .357 Max contender and 25-20 M92. The price for your lube is nearly the same as what I've been using, and if it would work as well in the handguns as well as some of the higher velocity stuff I'm now playing with, it might well be in my interest to settle on one lube. How is the smoke factor on your lube?