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It is good to see the forum back up again, but a little disturbing to see that the thread "history" is gone. Hopefully that can be rectified.
 
I finally got some spare time and fine calm weather to load some rounds and send them down the range. All groups were shot at 100 metres.
 
First up is my frustrating Parker Hale .243. After trying loads as suggested by gitano and his quickload program with no clear results I tried some AR2208 (Varget) with the 75gn Sierra HP.
 
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I would dearly love to get groups with a 60-75 grain varmint projectile of 1" or slightly less for use when the wind is a blowin'. Maybe I should just concentrate on 90gn+ projectiles and groups of around 1.5" for larger game. I am still not sure whether the problem is the condition of the bore/throat, or with my ability. Aparently there is an ex-policeman who is the local reloading guru who I might get to look at this rifle for an independant opinion.
 
 
Next was the CZ550 chambered in .22-250. The centre group, top row of the photo below is 34.0gn of AR2208 behind a 52gn Sierra Match BTHP for 9/16". Due to my ever helpful 3yr old daughter the text in the photo might be hard to read.
 
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Finally is my favorite rifle, my Anschutz .222Rem. I think I have now found my favorite load - 19.5gn of AR2207 (H4198) with a 40gn Hornady V-max gave a 3 shot group of 1/4"! Despite being a lightweight sporter with a slightly pitted barrel this thing can shoot!
 
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Marcus

A few questions for all you knowledgable types out there:
 
How best to clean the barrel on a martini action?
 
Can the trigger on a martini action be lightened/improved to any great degree, and if so, what is involved?
 
Can a barrel on a martini actioned rifle be free-floated? Is it worth it?
 
.....And finally, would there be enough interest out there for a sticky or sub-section dedicated to the Martini in THL? It seems to be one of those iconic rifle actions that could really benefit from its own place of residence here
 
Marcus

As I noted on the related thread in the "Firearms and Optics" forum I am helping a friend develop up loads for his new rifle in .222 rimmed. I reload for my Anschutz .222 and so have a variety of reloading components on-hand.
 
I have only been reloading for around 6 months, and my normal practice is to find that max recommended charge weight for a particular powder with a specific projectile. This is my final charge weight increment of 5 x 0.5gn increments. I then load 4 cases for each powder charge weight increment. This way I can easily mark off divisions in the factory load 20 cartridge boxes - box "A" will have loads 1 through 5, therfore in my reloading note book I can reference the loads as A1, A2, A3 etc.
 
This means I quite often load up a number of rounds, but don't always get a good result. Gitanos comments on OCW and calculations run for other rifles I have been loading for seem to show that I have often been working between the nodes or "sweetspots". My increments of 0.5gn might also be a bit wide.
 
Gitano, I hope I am not imposing, but I would appreciate your quickload capabilities to try and zero in on some OCW loads that are near the "sweetspots" for this particular rifle, and avoid wasting precious time and cartridges.
 
So, for this exercise the relevant numbers are:
 
Barrel length- 589mm
Case capacity - 28.4gn W748, or 26.0gn AR2206H
Powders - W748, AR2206H, AR2207
 
Projectiles
Hornady 40gn v-max, length 0.683"
Nosler shots 50gn SP, length 0.642"
Remington 50gn PSP, length 0.654"
 
Assuming I can get an accurate load for each projectile using each powder (which may or not be correct), would also appreciate some guidance as to which powder is likely to produce the best results in terms of pressure, velocity and grains of powder used.
 
Thanks,
 
Marcus

I mentioned in another post that a good friend of mine had recently picked up a Martini chambered in .222 rimmed. He has been keen to find a nice .22 hornet or .222 as his first centrefire after shooting these cartridges out on our little farm. He also likes the look of the Martini action (he is not alone there). When this one came up on usedguns.com for a very reasonable price I urged him to telephone and email ASAP as rifles of this quality sell very quickly. Here is what he ended up with:
 
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It has a barrel length of 598mm from breech-face to muzzle, with good blueing on barrel and action. As you can see the base and weaver rings set the scope nice and low so that with your cheek on the butt your eye lines up perfectly through the scope. The trigger also seems to be reasonably crisp if a little firm.
 
The rifle also came with approx 90 "Super" brand empty cases and a set of Hornady 7/8" dies with shell holder. Here are some pictures of the case compared to a standar .222 case:
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I compared the volume of the cases:
 
.222 rimmed
28.4gn W748
26.0gn AR2206H
 
.222 rimless
22.9gn W748
24.9gn AR2206H
 
We are hoping to sort out some loads over the next few weeks. What sort of pressure limit should we work too? Would 2 grains less than published max loads be a good rule of thumb *** max loads for this action?
 
Also, if anyone here in Aus comes across some "Super" brand brass for sale send me a PM,
 
Marcus

I obtained a Parker Hale 1100 Safari Deluxe .243 early last year. It has a Timney trigger, is bedded and floated, Leupold bases and a 3-9x40mm Bushnell Elite scope. I have tried a number of handloads with with various projectiles without much success. All loads are with Winchester cases and CCI primers. Here is a list with the best group for each projectile:
 
58gn Hornady V-max:- 45.5gn W760. OAL=2.56". 3 shots into 3/8", 4 into 1.25"
75gn Sierra HP:- 42.0gn W760. 3 shots into 1.15", 4 into 3.8"
75gn Speer HP:- 35.5gn AR2206H. OAL=2.60". 4 shots  into 3.25"
90gn Nosler Ballistic Tip:- 36.5gn W760. OAL=2.73", 3 shots into 1.5"
100gn Speer SP:- 32.5gn AR2206H. OAL=2.68". 4 shots into 4.9" (only load tried so far)
87gn Hornady SP:- 37.5gn AR2206H. OAL=2.68". 4 shots into 3.06" (only load so far)
 
Seems that some loads shoot reasonably well for 3 of 4 shots, but the other shot sprays wide. Other loads are universally spread wide.
 
Factory Remington 75gn Accutips shot at around 1.3"
A handload from the previous owner was 60gn Sierra HP with 47.0gn AR2209,  which consistently shot 0.9-1.4". OAL = 2.58".
 
Would like a few ideas or suggestions on where to from here,
 
Marcus

As some of you may remember I have been playing around with my brother-in-laws CZ550 and a friends Parker Hale 1100, both in .22-250Rem. It has taken a while to find the time to refinish the stocks, develop up some loads and send them down range, but here are the results for the CZ:
 
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and for the Parker Hale:
 
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All loads used Winchester cases and CCI large rifle primers.
 
For the CZ, the stand-out loads seem to be:
 
1. 38.5gn W760, Barnes 36gn varmint grenade for 15/16"
2. 41.ogn W748, Barnes 36gn varmint grenade HP for 5/8" (3 shots if flyer excluded)
3. 37.5gn W760, Nosler shots 55gn SP for 13/16"
 
For the Parker Hale:
 
1. 39.0gn W760, Nosler shots 55gn SP for 9/16" (3 shots excluding fouling shot)
 
 
I think the owners should be happy with the results,
 
Marcus

I finally got some free time yesterday morning that co-incided with still conditions - perfect opportunity to range test some factory ammo and reloads for the Lithgow SMLE-actioned 22 hornet I have been working on.
 
Preliminary groups indicated significant movement to the left of point of impact as the barrel heated up so I bedded the recoil lug and floated the barrel. Functional if not overly pretty.
 
I set up a sheet of cardboard with yellow sticky dots of diameter around 1" at 100m and shot over a rest. Here are the results:
 
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All groups below are 4 shots unless otherwise noted.
 
Factory Loads
Highland AX 45gn SP - 1 1/4" (3 shots)
Winchester Super X 45gr SP - 1/2" (2 shots, last 2 cartridges I had left!)
Remington Express 45gn HP - 1 1/2" (3 shots)
 
Handloads (Remington cases, Win SR primers, W296 powder)
Hornady 45gn SP - 1 3/4"
Sierra (.224") 45gn SP - 2 1/2"
Sierra (.223") 45gn SP - 2 3/8"
Tiapan 45gn HP - 3 7/8"
Speer 45 gn SP - 3"
Hornady 40gn V-max - 3 1/2"
Barnes 36gn Varmint Grenade - 3 1/2" (3 shots landed 700mm to left of POA, 4th lost)
Winchester 40gn 22 magnum HP - 4 5/8"
 
So a mixed bag. All loads had 9.5gn of W296, apart from the Barnes VG's which had 10.0gns. The groups from the factory loads show that the rifle has some promise despite the abysmal condition of its barrel. I might work on tuning a load using the Hornady projectiles for a start.
 
Marcus

Well following the little target shooting session a few friends and I enjoyed some weeks ago I have accepted the offer to buy the lower rifle in this photo for $100AUS.
 
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Now in shooting the other scoped Lithgow hornet my friend has I was impressed with the accuracy given the various less-than-optimal scope reticle, scope mounts, reload quality and trigger pull. I am hoping I can foll around with this one, make a few improvements, and get an honest little rifle for chasing foxes and rabbits.
 
Now my question is whether there are any scope mounts out there to fit this action. I am not keen on a side mount, and have seen a number of photos of SMLE actions with some sort of bridge mount. Any ideas?
 
Marcus

I am in the market for a manual powered case trimmer.
 
I am looking at an RCBS Trimpro kit for $AUS169. The same website has Lyman Accutrimmers for $AUS110, and Lyman Universal case trimmers for $AUS159. Ebay here also has Redding 1400XT trimmers for $AUS165.
 
Which of these would be the best? Are there any other makes I should consider?
 
Marcus

I have spent the evenings during the last week refinishing the stock on my friends .22-250, the one I posted a thread on earlier and for which I have been developing up some loads. The stock had a high gloss varnish finish that was in good condition in some parts but very dented about in others. It had one particularly deep dent along the sharp beavertail edge on the fore-end which I steamed out.
 
Stripping off the stain found some nice grain in the butt, however the fore-end is quite plain. I finished the stock with coats of Tru-oil and a final coat of some waxy timber polish which gives a beautiful smooth semi-gloss finish.
 
Enjoy the photos. Top two are before, other 4 are the finished product.
 
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Marcus

My wife and 2 children headed off this morning for a few days at Anglesea on the Victorian coastline, which opened up an opportunity for some firearm-related socialising and pizzas with a few mates - something that is difficult to do with young children around.
 
The idea was to invite a few mates around, and that each person was to bring a firearm or two, ammunition and pizza topping ingredients for everyone to share or have a try. Of the original 3 invitees only Phil and Dave, a recently arrived Englishman, could make it.
 
Phil brought around his stunning BSA .303, a Martini Enfield .303, and Lithgow .22 hornet. I provided my Anschutz .222 and my brothers Anschutz 1515-1516 that has been rebarreled to .17HMR. Dave, a keen and experienced shooter in the UK, is in the process of obtaining his shooting licence here and hence couldn't bring anything along.
 
We set up a table and some chairs behind the shed, a target down the paddock, and proceeded to have a blast - literally!
 
Enjoy the photos.
 
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Will add another post to this thread specifically on that BSA .303.
 
Marcus

A friend of mine found this old single shot .22 and two single shot .410 shotguns in his father-in-laws shed. Apparently they were his wifes grandfathers. I have only seen the photos so don't know the makes, but I really like the case hardening on the actions anf the octagonal barrels on the .410s
 
Enjoy,
 
Marcus

My wifes family has a small property an hour away down on the Victorian coast where we take the kids camping every summer. We set up tents or e camper trailer, cook on open fires, fly kites, watch the newly constructed wind-towers, or walk the 600m to the beach.
 
The property is characterised by parabolic lines of relic sand-dunes with patches of boxthorn which both provide perfect habitat for rabbits, so a rifle tends to be slipped into the camping equipment to ensure we can enjoy some rabbit stew. The dune ridges and valleys provide perfect shooting topography but the wind can be quite stiff at times.
 Here is a picture of the kids utilising the wind to fly kites:
 
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We decided to take the kids down to the property for an overnight camp last week as the weather forecast was for a couple of hot days - perfect beach weather. I packed the Anschutz .222 with some factory Remington 50gr SP loads and the Ruger 17hmr.
 
We arrived early afternoon, set up our camp and then spent a few hours watching the kids jumping waves and collecting sea weed on the beach. Late in the afternoon back at the camp I took the .222 and wandered out to a small natural ampitheatre ringed to the north, east and west by sandy ridges with a large area of scattered boxthorn in the basin.
 
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A reasonable population of rabbits live in warrens among the boxthorns and from my vantage point on the southern ridge I commanded some open ground among the boxthorns about 150 metres away. There was a fairly stiff easterly wind blowing right to left in the photo. I managed 1 rabbit and one miss, with wind drift approximately 3" (75mm).
 
With no further volunteers I moved on towards another warren to the north and managed to hit another rabbit at about 100 metres. Dinner time approached so wended my way back to the camp where pork chops and salad, damper and a glass of red wine awaited.
 
After a fitfull nights sleep in the tent I arose early to a stiff easterly wind and ground wet with coastal fog. Slinging the .17hmr over my back and pocketing a box of CCI 17 grainers I slowly made my way around the southern perimeter of the property. I had recently picked up a second hand Tasco 3-9x40 scope to replace the Weaver K8 that was on the Ruger. While the K8 was still a good scope it was a little inflexible for close range offhand shots. I had sighted the rifle in on paper but not used the combination "in anger" as it were.
 
A ridge runs parallel to the road fence and provides a good vantage point to shoot at rabbits grazing just out from the line of undergrowth along the fence. I popped my head up over a low saddle in the ridge and spied a 2/3 grown rabbit grazing the short grass about 90m away. Folding out the legs of the bipod I settled down, allowed an inch for wind and squeezed of the shot. With an audible thump the rabbit rolled over, gave a few kicks and was still. First head shot for the day.
 
Over the next few hours I wandered my way over the ridges and through the valleys picking up a rabbit here and there. At one location I shot 3 rabbits without moving; with each shot a further rabbit came into view and were quickly dispateched from a sitting, elbows on knees position.
 
The final shot of the morning proved to be the best. I was located on top of a rigde looking south as seen below:
 
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A half grown rabbit moved up the opposite slope around 80-90 metres away and I tracked it in the scope, shuffling the bipod to keep uo with it as is kept moving to the left. It halted about 100 meters away. I allowed about 2.5-3" for the wind and squeezed of the shot. Another head shot - number 8 out of the 10 rabbits for the morning.
 
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I am very happy with how the Ruger performed with the new scope, particularly considering the wind.
 
After returing to camp and dressing the rabbits we packed the tents, spent a few hours with the kids down at the beach again, and then headed home in the afternoon after a great night camping away.
 
Marcus

I have a CZ 550 American in .22-250 on long term loan from my brother-in-law. It has a single set trigger, but it came to me adjusted so that the set trigger was de-activated. I have adjusted the small screw in front of the trigger out to allow the trigger to be pushed forward to set it, but it seems very hard to push ie it can't be done with the back of the trigger finger, and requires the thumb of the right hand to set. Any thoughts?

With kids, chrisrtmas visitors etc it has taken me a while to get through the 40 loaded rounds for testing (4 rounds for each of 5 different charge weights for W760 and AR2206H). I used Nosler shots 50gr SP projectiles with shooting undertaken at about 130 metres. It looks like W760 might be the poweder of choice in this rifle for 50 grainers. I think I also saw some 55gr Nosler shots in the local shop so might give them a try also.
 
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Marcus

Anyone got some tips or suggestions on how to remove polyurethane finish from a rifle stock? I have two rifles to refinish with Tru-oil.

I have been testing loads for my PH safari deluxe .243. I have found that Winchester  Super-X factory 80gr loads, as well as the 75gr and 90gr handloads received from the previous owner, don't group very well. The only promise was some 60gr HP handloads provided by the previous owner that grouped around 1" -1.5".
 
The rifle is an early Parker Hale safari deluxe with a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40 scope in leaupold rings. I have also fitted a Timney trigger.
 
I have been using two powders - AR2206H and W760. Projectiles have been Hornady 58gr v-max, Speer 75gr HP, and Nosler 90gr ballistic tips. I loaded 4 cases in each 0.5gr increments and tested at 100 metres.
 
The AR2206H loads were dissappointing in all charge and projectile weights. I had loaded the projectiles out a bit to get close to the lands and this may have been a factor.
 
For the W760 loads I seated the  projectiles a little deeper to mimic the 60gr HP loads that shot reasonably well. Shooting yesterday showed promise with a load for both the 58gr and 90gr projectiles.

Ok, I have found a Christmas project. A friend of mine has a Parker Hale .22-250 that he cannot get to group. He acquired it recently in rather roundabout circumstances. Suffice to say it hasn't really been looked after and looks a little rough around the edges. Since he is flat out with harvest at the moment (and I always jump at the opportunity to get my hands on another firearm to pull apart, investigate and shoot), I offered to see if I could get it to perform.
 
On getting it home closer inspection and a little work leads me to think that under the scratched and dinged surface it might be in quite good working condition. After a copule of hours with Sweets 7.62, and 3 soaks with wipeout, the bore is bright and shiny with sharp rifling. The crown looks to be OK as well. The bolt face is showing tool marks across its face and a square edged firing pin hole so doesn't look like it has done a lot of work.
 
The stock has a beaver tail forend, and the butt shows some reasonable figure that would probably become more apparent if the scratched finish was cut back and oiled. The dents are mostly minor, with the worst one along the RHS beavertail edge. The recoil lug bears against a steel cross-bolt and has been glass bedded.
 
The rifle wears a set of Parher Hale mounts and a relatively new Millett 6-24x44 scope. Bore-sighting shows that the reticle is about 6 inches to the left at around 25 metres - is there any other way of adjusting windage with these mounts, or is it just reticle adjustmenst I can play with? If I was to replace the mounts with a set that have windage adjustment, what is recommended?
 
Oh yes, most importantly, the view mark is  B C over 4 in a circle. Heres some pics..
 
 
Marcus

When I started to get really interested in hunting and firearms in my teens THE rifle to have was a Sako heavy barrel .222. I assume that at the time the model that was available was the L461. Since those days I have always dreamed that I would pick up a Sako at some stage.
 
At the start of this year there was a L461 rebarreled with a sporter weight barrel in .223 in the local sports shop for around $900 AUS (one of the few I have seen for under $1000). I asked the shop-owner what he thought of it - perhaps predictably he answered  something along the line of "Its not bad for old technology". Perhaps he was hopng he could steer me towards one of his shiny new Tikkas.
 
Since I have been keeping a close eye on firearms websites I have noticed a number of different models, including the L46, L579 (I understand to be the longer action equivelent of the L461), AII, 75 and 85.
 
My question for Rick is  - which do consider to be the best Sako sporting model, and why?
 
Marcus

I bought this .22 to junk the stock and use the barrel and action to replace the verry worn, cracked barrel on my fathers old rifle which has a nice SILE walnut stock. When I bought it home it looked the the first photo below - no butt-plate, ugle shape, and wearing a Nikko Stirling scope.
 
Closer inspection showed that the action and bore were in very good condition, with the barrel (which is actually a heavier contour than my .222) glass bedded and free floating. Someone had also added a second action screw at the front of the trigger guard to complement the single screw in front of the magazine. Both screws had been pillar bedded in the stock.
 
As you do I took it out and fired a few shots through it. Despite the fairly rudimentary trigger it was relatively  accurate. I decided to refinish the stock instead as practise for a couple of other rifles. Recently I asked a cabinet maker friend to add a fore-end tip and grip cap. I asked him to use some Blackwood - an Australian hardwood often used for fine furniture. The timber was sourced from my wife's family farm. The other three photos show the results.
 
The work costs $88 all up and I am very happy with the how the rifle looks now - the fore-end and grip cap dress up what was otherwise a fairly bland stock. Enjoy.
 
Marcus