3-1-09 2:30 pm weather sunny, clear, 12ºs, windy, COLD.
Rifle: Knight Wolverine LK-II with 2.5x20mm Simmons scope
Distance: 30 yards bench rest & 63 yards can plinking
Ignition: RWS 1075+ caps
Powder: American Pioneer 2f & Triple Seven 2f
Projectiles: 250 grain Hornady .452 XTP in Harvester Crushed Rib sabots
100 grains of American Pioneer Powder 2f
350 gr Hornady FPB conicals w/80 gr Triple Seven 2f
250 gr Saber Tooth Conicals w/80 gr Triple Seven 2f
It looked nice out, but looks can deceive. Once out on the bench the wind let me know it was going to be another miserable day. I only hoped the shooting would not be.
I started with 100 grains of American Pioneer Powder 2f and some 250 grain Hornady XTP's. I used the Harvester Crushed Rib sabots. I also did not swab between shots. (this should answer the question I hope of the person thatPM'd me reference this load and rifle.. I think with a different powder it can do better) I was kind of excited when the first two touched inside the bulls eye. Then the next two had a mind of their own and flew fowl. It could have been because I was not swabbing.
I then used a spit patch and swabbed the bore of the rifle. I set the spit patch down and would discover that before I could use it a second time, it was frozen stiff already from the cold. Kind of like my ears and moustache was. I wanted to try some of the Hornady FPB's 350 grain in this little Wolverine. I knew it could not take a large powder charge, so I dropped down to 80 grains and loaded Triple Seven 2f.
It surprised me that the 350 grain Hornady FPB hit exactly where the 250 grain XTPs hit. I swabbed and shot a total of four FPB's into that big hole. Needless to say, I was impressed. That will be this rifle's hunting load from now on. Loading these FPB's is a bit of a challenge. Especially with gloves on. I had to center the FPB on the muzzle, use the short handle of the T starter. Then a quick smack,to stomp all but the tip of the conical under the muzzle, and then the long part to get the projectile into the barrel. After that, they slide down real nice.. and shot even better.
I then swabbed real good and shot the three Saber Tooth 250 grain conicals. I was to cold to spit any more so I shot those three without swabbing. I was using 80 grains of Triple Seven 2f and really did not notice a crud ring to speak of. Also the Saber Tooth were a definite slip fit conical. I could push them under the muzzle with my thumb, no short starter needed, and then seat them with the weight of the ramrod almost. Why the third one took a dive, I have no idea. I had a great sight picture and trigger control. Maybe I should have swabbed.
I then swabbed the barrel with a patch and some Rusty Duck Black Off. And a dry patch. I had taken the target down and had went inside to warm up a little and decide how bad I wanted to shoot. I drank a soda, and decided I wanted to shoot again.
The soda can was placed at 63 yards. Using 80 grains of Triple Seven and a Hornady FPB. I got a great sight picture and fired. The can disappeared.I swabbed and took a walk to check. The first shot clipped the veryleft side of it. I had noted at 30 yards, that they hit a little to the left. After I re-set the can, I reloaded with the same load. Thistime I aimed just on the outside ofthe right side of the can, and hit almost dead center. The third shot was the same. It was a dead can.
This rifle and these FPB's seem made for each other. When it gets warmer, I want to do a little more shooting. Maybe tomorrow..
350 gr Hornady FPB's & Wolverine
Maybe an air conditioner for the summer heat days....
