Mike S

Another thing to consider is that as you optimize your seating depth for a particular rifle the crimping groove (if there even is one) may not line up anyway. You won't have any issues with a bolt action with no crimp. Mike

No crimp needed. Mike

71.0 seems to be a lucky number.

I haven't found R22 too bad temp wise. Looking at my chrongraph records for my .270 130 grainers I'm seeing maybe 40fps loss from 100 degrees down to 50 degrees. My favorite .300 WM load for 168s is H4350 loaded to 3150 FPS. Not the worlds fasted but extremely accurate. H4350 is a very temp insensitive powder.

Congrats on an outstanding first buck! Mike

Used a .300 Win mag for many years as my go to hunting rifle, hard to go wrong with one. When Hornady came out with their "Heavy Mag" ammo it would shoot 1 inch groups at 200 yards pretty regularly. I preferred Nosler partition handloads for hunting but the factory ammo shot great. Now shooting a .270 for the smaller stuff, as a tribute Lark... Mike

You're right, over the top reloading practices were not part of the original poster's question. Your assertion that most factory loads vary 10% in shot to shot velocity (300 fps or more with most cartridges discussed here)is still absurd though... Good luck with any upcoming hunts. Mike

I have. I've reloaded my hunting and match shooting ammo for the last 34 years, just don't believe the 10% number. Regarding powder charges, aren't you the guy that locked up his bolt with a reload? Mike

And you believed those numbers?!?

Damon Howatt (Martin) Super Diablo recurve with Selway quiver. 50 pounds at 28 inches. Very good condition, original owner. $375 includes stringer and 8 XX78s- 4 with Magnus 2 blade broadheads. Mike

Thought some might be interested in a picture of how gear can be strapped outside of the longbow, making it effective for longer trips than one might otherwise think. Attached is a picture from an Alaska hike a couple of weeks ago.

I usually drop the charge a little short and use a trickler like .308nut mentioned. If you do want to use the measure alone try to keep a good rhythm. You can also "feel" when a lot of kernels are being cut on an individual powder drop.When that happens, dump that charge back into the measure's hopper. As soon as a charge appears to have completely flowed into the case, slightly raise and tap the measure handle back down once or twice (just be consistent). This helps free any jams and settles the next charge in the measures chamber, set up the measure using the same tapping method for proper weight. With my RCBS measure I like to use the small chamber instead of the large one. It is smaller in diameter and seems to be more consistent due to less shearing area across powder at the chamber entrance when operating. Some stick powders just meter better than others, the shorter the sticks the better.

Check with Nelson Ford, he does great work with S&W revolvers. His shop is called "The Gunsmith". He used to have a big backlog, so you may have to wait a while...

Powders can vary from lot to lot in their burning rate and I have read that R22 is more prone to this than others. Do you have access to a chronograph to compare the velocity of the old load vs. the new? You may need to adjust the charge weight to get the same velocity and accuracy. R22 is my favorite .270 powder and I buy 5 pound jugs to help avoid this sort of problem.

I've had my longbow (multicam) for almost a year now and love it. I expect you will be very happy with yours. Mike

Good looking action. Who did the safety conversion?

Bill Gibbons http://www.magmabirddogs.com/ is your man. He did my first dog for me in the late 70's and was one of the originators of the process.

Another vote for Hornady if using factory ammo. No experience with the 7mm Mag, but can shoot 1" three shot groups at 200 yards with their 180 grain .300 Win Mag ammo on a good day. Only reload for that rifle if I want a tougher bullet.

This is GREAT practice, all you hunters should give it a try. Mike

Great video. Thanks for posting. That is a good sized one. I've seen a couple of them down south and two in the last year while mountain biking in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve near my house. They can definitely get your attention when they hiss!

Try the Outdoorsmans on Cave Creek Rd. Ordered a rifle through them a few years ago.

From the action standpoint, keeping it well lubed to start is all you need. With a chrome lined barrel, there is nothing to do. It's surface is so hard that normal break in procedures will not accomplish anything. I have the inside of the action tube greased up on my match rifle to stop the irritating "boing" noise the spring makes. You can do that if the noise bothers you, Have fun with it. Mike

Murphy's in Tucson is the first place I'd check with, they may not do gunsmithing any more but can probably point you in the right direction. What make is it?

What work does it need?

Awesome ram, congrats.