Dusted Off the Highwall.....

[Blackpowder Burn]

It's been several years, but I got a chance to shoot some kinda sorta long range (out to 400 yards) a couple of weeks ago and dusted off my Browning BPCR 40-65.  I won the match (much to my amazement  ), and it really kindled my desire to find somewhere to shoot more often.  I had recently purchased a new mold for it from Accurate Molds (41-405D) and loaded some ammo to do a little load development at our club range.  I had previously been shooting the Lyman 410 grain Snover bullet, with good results, but this one took it to a whole new level! 

I loaded the bullet over 60 grains (by weight) of FFFg Olde Eynsford and seated it out to touch the lands.  Viola'! - nice 3/4" 3-shot clusters at 100 yards.  I had a limited amount of this load, so now I'm anxious to load up some more and get back out to the range to see how it performs at longer distances.  With the RV we recently purchased, I can see making some trips to play this game!

[38-72]

The Browning 40-65 is a great gun.  My son and I each own one.  1 1/2, 2 and 3 F all shot great in the 40-65.  We found the best bullets are in the 400+/- range.  We did noticed an improvement in our scores when we switched over from blow tubing to wiping between each shot.

[Ranch 13]

Nice group. 62 gr. of OE 2f with a greaser, and 64 with patched, has become a go to standard load around here.

[Pitspitr]

....it really kindled my desire to find somewhere to shoot more often. 

Would some place like this do? The targets are at 100, 200,300 and 400 yds and we could put up another out to nearly 800.
If so bring it to Sargent NE the weekend of the 23-25 for the GAF Grand Muster.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Pitspitr,

That would, indeed, do.......!  Unfortunately, I'm not likely to be able to do that until I reach retirement, dang it! 

However, we do have a landowner (and club member) that has a piece of property with 1,000 yard capability.  We're working on setting up a long range facility for our "Buffalo" rifles. 

Now, that rifle in the photo doesn't quite look like it would fit in with the GAF!  

[Blackpowder Burn]

Ranch 13,

Thanks for the info.  I may try to increase my powder charge a little more to see what happens.  I noticed a significant increase in accuracy when I increased my powder charge from 56 grains (my previous standard) to 60 grains.  Maybe the slightly increased velocity provides better stabilization and/or the bullet stays supersonic longer?

At any rate, more experiments to tinker with as time allows..........

[Pitspitr]

Pitspitr,

That would, indeed, do.......!  Unfortunately, I'm not likely to be able to do that until I reach retirement, dang it! 

However, we do have a landowner (and club member) that has a piece of property with 1,000 yard capability.  We're working on setting up a long range facility for our "Buffalo" rifles. 

Now, that rifle in the photo doesn't quite look like it would fit in with the GAF!  

There are several things I have on my "after retirement list"

I have the capability for 1600yds, though I've never tried it yet.

You're right, that one really doesn't fit in with the GAF, though it probably comes closer than the AR does. 

[dusty texian]

Good shooting BB. Pitspitr fine looking country! ,,,DT

[Ranch 13]

Would some place like this do? The targets are at 100, 200,300 and 400 yds and we could put up another out to nearly 800.
If so bring it to Sargent NE the weekend of the 23-25 for the GAF Grand Muster.

Or you could go to the Alliance Rifle Club's Hoffland range and shoot the Dean Scoggins memorial match (all 1000 yd targets ) the last weekend in July. 

[Blackpowder Burn]

Ranch 13,

I checked out the Alliance club website.  Looks like several interesting matches.  Sadly, Nebraska is a little far to attend those matches at this point in life.   

We have the lever rifle and single shot "hunter" type rifle matches out to 200 yards, similar to theirs.

We have plans at a local CAS club (the property owner is a club member and varmint hunter) to be able to shoot 500 yards this fall, and he has a firing line at 1,000 yards we can use.  I'd love to try 1,000 yards once we get that range set up.............just need a buffalo silhouette!

[Ranch 13]

There is a long range gong match south of Pecos in late October. In the meantime there's always the bpcr silhouette matches that'll test your loads to 500 meters.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Thanks Dusty.  It did rekindle the "itch".  My wife also allowed me to buy a decent spotting scope for Fathers Day, so that also helps.  One step at a time.........

I'm anxious to do further work with this rifle.  I cast bullets yesterday to load another batch of ammo.  I'm waiting for a new shipment of the One True Powder to arrive in a couple of days.  Then I can get busy and do more load tinkering.  

[Blackpowder Burn]

Pecos - as in Pecos, Texas?  Heck, I travel out there for work on a semi-regular basis.

What's the organization that holds that match?  I'll have to get in contact with them.

[Ranch 13]

Pecos Rifle and Pistol Club.
The flier is in the last edition of the Blackpowder Cartridge News. You should be able to pick that up at any "newsstand" that sells Rifle and Handloader magazines.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Ranch 13,

Thanks for the information.  There website doesn't have any details about the match, but I've reached out to them to find out more.  I also sent in a subscription to BP Cartridge News several weeks ago, so perhaps I'll receive a copy soon with the information in it.

Any chance you're coming to the match?

[Ranch 13]

I've thought about going down there several times over the years, but that's not a particularly good time for me to take off on a 1000 mi+ trip.

[Blackpowder Burn]

HA! I did 1200+ miles in 3 days last week, and passed through Pecos on the way.

Oh, my achin' b***!