Thanks guys,

You know, come to think of it, that UPS guy was "lively and quick" and a "right jolly old elf" . . . must have been Santa!

Hmmm, my first load. I have lots of BP around but my substitute stash is really dwindling. I plan to do alot of testing with the 375 and 435 SSB's. I have 4 boxes of 375's so Ithink I will try them with 80 grains 3f Goex to start. I really want to see how hard I can push them so I will test higher charges untilthe groups open.

80 grains will be enough to get me to 200 yards with 40 clicks of the new scope and will deliver about 1140 ft-lbs at that range. So I am obviously hopeful that the Apex can handle 80 grains and group the 375's tightly. Anyway thats the plan. You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? The hoped forballistics arebelow.

On another note, I was surprised to find the rifling of my Apex incorporating and idea I have long wanted to incorporate in a custom barrel. The lands are much more narrow than the grooves. I've alway thought that would ease loading and help prevent the shearing ofboth sabots andconicals. For conicals I think the grooves should be just a little deeper, but since I have lots of them, I'll be testing some them too, and maybe the rifle will prove me wrong about that.

Now the 3f APP, just wouldn't shoot at all in my sidekick. I have a whole pound I paid $25 for and if anyone has any load suggestions on if and how I can get it to work in the APEX, I'd really appreciate it.