Range report
 

Took th omega X7 out today. Was shooting BH209250 SSTs , 250XTPs & 180 grain .40 cal gold dots. I learned something today. My barrel heats up After 2 shots. It took me6 groups of 3 to figure that out[:@]. Iwas shooting charges from 80 to 100 grains with the XTPs & the SSTs. Both in crush rib sabots. Every group Id shoot 2within an inch, a couple touchingThe 3rd would fly off to the left 2-3-4 inches. At first I thought it was me. While reloading I noticed the barrel was pretty warm. So I let it sit for a few minutes, & shot a few groups with my 22 hornet. Next 3 shots Xtps 100 grains BH209with a few minutes in betweenwere right at an inch & a half.
next 3 SSTs with a few minutes between fell rightat 2 inches. Next up
The 40 cal 180 grain gold dots in the blue MMP sabots over 70 grain BH209
First shot Missed the target completly. So That took me a few minutes to figure out where I was hitting. Iwas hitting way High. used the bottem of the target To aim. Next 3 over 70 grainsBH209 12 inches high in a inch &a half group.

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Now Im real happy with the way the gold dots shot. very mild recoil. My question is. Is that a deer combo. Is it moving fast enough. I dont have acess toa chrono.

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That charge for me would be perfect with a powerbelt out to 150yards with the heavier 295. With lighter weight, 175 yards.

So year, sounds good to me. No need to be a powder whore :D

I shot some 300 grain XTP's in my omega today with 105 grains and 100 grains pyrodex P. No thank you! I'll keep my 80 grain loads.

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That sounds like some real good shooting. I'm surprised that your point of impact shifted that dramatically with the Gold Dots, but I guess it happens. I'd love to try some BH209 but the price is still turning me off, plus I have a couple pounds of 777 to burn up first;)

The .40 cal 180 grain Gold Dots should be an excellent deer bullet. Last 2 seasons I've used the .40 cal XTP with great results, and from what I understand, the Gold Dots are an even more reliable construction. I'd guess that with 70 grains of BH209 your velocity should be 1800 - 1900 fps. That's a rough guess, but it should be in the ballpark. The Traditions manual states these velocities for a .40 cal 180 grain saboted bullet:

100 grains Pyrodex RS = 1900fps
100 grains Triple 7 = 2100fps

That should give you good deer-getting performance out to at least 100 - 120 yards. I'd go with it if you like it.

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100grains BH209 under the 250 SST & XTPs & recoil is a bit stiff. Doable but stiff:)That X7 is a bit light. I notice the recoil a little more than my oldwinchesterX150

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I think Michigans Muzzle loading deer regs. still state 45 cal or bigger.

:)Al

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Well barrels will heat up. Especially in summer heat. You do have to let them cool off. Still it sounds like some good shooting. How was the breech plug crud at the end of the shooting session?

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Did you clean and oil the barrel between shot??? This will help cool the barrel, make the second shot easier to load and tighten groups...

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Allyyoopper I think its 45 or bigger, But this would be the same size bullet that you use in a 45 cal ML . Not sure but I am gonna look it up. Ididnt do any swabbing or cleaning at the range.. The breach plug looked spotless my first 16 or so shots, Then it dirtier after that. Next time at the range Im gonna start with the mmp sabots & .40 cal Gold dots. I shot those after 20 or so shots with the XTPs & SSTs. I wanna see how they do from a clean barrel or a barrel with 3 shots trhu it & so on. I havnt cleand the gun yet. I LL clean it later tonight.. I know barrels heat up . I guess I figured it would take more than 2 or 3 shots. Lesson learned there. Good day at the range all together. Gonna be a couple weeks before I get back to the range though

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I have a battery powered tire pump, and I put that down the muzzle of the gun and turn it on to get it cooled down quickly. Works. One fellow, Richard, over on the Savage forum takes an Aluminum rod that he bought from Home Depot and inserts it in ice water, wipes it off and shoves it down the barrel.
That cools the barrel real quick. You have to wipe the rod clean of excess mosture, especially the end. He had 1 misfire because he didn't wipe the end off. He said the cold travels up the rod so when it put it back in the ice water it is cold by his next shot. The guys over there are Accuracy shooting and they go to great lengths to shoot 5/8" groups at 100 yards and 1" groups at 200, and yes they do that all the time.

Sears has them here: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Automotive_Tools+%26+Equipment_Air+C ompressors+%26+Inflators?psid=15472678&sid=ISx 20070515x00001a

they look like this.

Here is Richard's latest barrel cooler:
http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=Savage&action=display&thre ad=9675

Chap