[cast-n-blast]

What type of shooter are you ? A powder guzzling, recoil loving V8 master blaster, or a small, lite, efficient 4 cylinder plinker?

O.K., I admit it, I love big bores, and things that push back to let you know you just unleashed a gazillion ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. My favorite phrase to deafened on lookers was,"shooting big bores is a contact sport !".Thought I was pretty macho shooting full grunt, fire breathing loads with MOA accuracy with the big bores.

Then I'd leave the range, head pounding with magnum headache. My fillings were loose in my teeth, and I was seeing double. The wife thought I was ignoring her, but I couldn't hear her half the time, despite wearing ear protection.

Then I saw the light, or I should say, Beartooth Bullets web site. I'd devour the shooters forum every day, reading accounts of brothern shooters. I saw a lot of mention and data on light, plinker loads. It dawned on me, I was neglecting one of the biggest assets of shooting cast bullets. Plinker loads, I've tried them and I like them !

I get many more loads per pound of powder, and my guns are spared the unnecessary wear and tear. My brain waives are back to normal. And besides, how many ft. lbs. of muzzle energy do you need to punch paper? These loads will be perfect for my daughter, when she is of age to learn the joys of shooting.

There's a time and place for full throttle loads. But this reformed V8 will be getting better powder mileage by becoming a more efficient 4 cylinder shooter. At least some of the time.

I'd love to hear some of your favorite plinker loads in any caliber. Thanks.

                            Jeff

 

[MAINER]

Cast n Blast - The only reloading I do is w/ my muzzleloaders. I really love taking a mid day break at scouting for game before the season. and PLINKING!  I have alot of fun w/ my .50 cal. loaded with 60 gr. ffg and patched balls or Buffalo Bullet's "Ball-ette" which weighs around 260 grains. Great fun, accurate, you still get the smoke and smell, and no recoil.  If you've got a new frontloader, it's a great way to "season" a barrel, too.

 

[IDShooter]

cast-n-blast,
    I've never shot a 4 cyl or a V8, although I did shoot an abandoned V6 one time with a 35 Rem. Wouldn't recommend reduced loads, though, as it required a lot of penetration!  <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->          ID

 

[Coldfingers]

Jeff,

I can probably get through the whole season without firing a full snort load from the 45/70.

Like you, I have found the plinker loads most interesting.

One of the best loads I stubled accross was Ed Harris's "The Load" which is 13 grains of Red Dot under any bullet common to caliber in rifles over .30 and having a case larger than the .300 Savage or .35Rem. No fillers are needed.

This does real well in my Marlin GG with a cast bullet. With the GG sighted for the full snort loads, the plinker load will come in several inches low but accuracy is such that they make a fine small game round (with velocity and thump enough for close range black bear and caribou...I would suspect they would make a sufficiant hole in Bullwinkle with no trouble also) Recoil is almost pleasant.

I have dinked around with roundball loads also for the 45/70 and .45 Colt. It opens a whole world of fun. I also keep light loads for my .357 carry gun that are sighted to POA for plinkin and pot filling. These loads keep me shooting the handgun most likely to be "handy" and are as usefull as a .22 while providing immediate access to something that will give good defensive power if need be.

Scotty

 

[Elrod]

I have a small-block "rat" motor (.41 mag) that seems pretty accurate with just about any octane I've tried.
When my cases get ratty mouthed I trim 'em back to .44 Special length and load 'em some more.

Right now I'm playing with 3.4 - 5 grn Bullseye under 215 SWCbb, but have also enjoyed somewhat heavier loads in Unique, and 231 (Win).

I haven't found the "sweet" spot with Red Dot yet.
2400 is peppery!

I try "Cowboy" loads too, though I don't participate in so-called "Cowboy" shooting.
Might try it later.

I like staying sub-sonic so I don't have so much leading, don't need gas checks, etc.

Next time I order bullets I may go lighter just for downloading. When I first got my BH I was into developing loads, and had fun.
But now I'm enjoying some shorter range plinking with it, because a plastic two-liter water filled Coke bottle doesn't seem to present much penetration trouble.
They rarely charge you, even if just winged.
<!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

 

[Coldfingers]

Elrod,

I would encourage you to go to Paco Kelly's site (accessable from sixgunner) and read his section on Blue Dot in "Powder Profiles". I think that you will find the info of special interest since he considers the Blue Dot a premier .41Mag powder.

I am just beginning to explore the possibilites with my old Blackhawk and this powder.

You ever notice how simple life was when you just bought a box of bullets and lived with the results?

So many options...

Scotty

 

[Elrod]

Yes!
I have read that article, and definitely intend to get some BlueDot for loading.
Accuracy is important to me, and I love shooting my 4&5/8" barrel out to 75 and 100 yards.

So many powders to try. Bluedot is at the top of my list.
I like fast burning powders for loading down. Need to look at my chart I downloaded from somewhere about where Bluedot lies on it for burn rate, relatively.

I have some stuff to use up first, but at least my youngest helps me use up powder. He loads for 45 ACP, but just got a pump shotgun. I'll prolly be unable to keep any RedDot on hand with him around, especially after we find a Mec 600 for him!

 

[Coldfingers]

Elrod,

I just got in from work, but managed to squeeze in a little range time today with my NMBH .41

I had loaded up some 220 gr JSP's over 14.5 grains of Blue Dot with a CCI Mag primer.

I have never, EVER shot a group like that in my life. I managed to chew the center out of a small box and ripped one big ol nasty trench in the earth behind.

I am  hoping it was the Blue Dot and not just a fluke!  8*)

I must say that I am excited to go for a rematch on that one. I have some LBT style cast that weigh in at 260 but only have a recipie that calls for H110 but will give that a try also.

I feel like sort of a ditz since I had let that old Ruger gather dust for some time while dating bigger girls.

Out of curiousity, did you post your recipie for home made shotshells somewhere? I think I'm fallin  in love....

Scotty

 

[Elrod]

Sounds like a MUST try load!

I haven't posted a home brew shotshell load, but I like Jeff Quinn's snake loads at Gunblasts.

Unfortunately I can't find any suitable round balls in .410", so Im guess top wads and no big pill will have to do for now.
Or a Winchester 9410 <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

Tks for the Bluedot specs. Paco Kelly would be proud, I'm sure!