Kropatschek's first outing.

[Meaty]

I think there might be some mileage in the old girl!
After a lot of time modifying dies, making spuds, boolit sizing dies etc and ordering an NOE mold (and waiting for my fac renewal to come round, so the variation was free) I eventually got the 1886 Kropatschek on ticket. Load data is virtually non existent so a bit of methodical head scratching was the order of the day to keep things safe. I settled on 11 grains of Unique for the first try and set off for the range yesterday afternoon.
The first shot just clipped the edge of the target so I knew that a bit of aiming off was going to be the order of the day-not so easy aiming off with iron sights, tired eyes and a white target on a white background but I was pleasantly surprised with the first target.

The flyer was when I was still trying to figure out the point of aim (well thats my excuse)
All in all quite encouraging, the rifle is a delight to shoot and has probably the most buttery smooth bolt actions I have ever used. Took no time to clean afterwards and no leading either
Going to be a keeper this one.

[dromia]

clapclap

[jjvc]

Good post Meaty, thanks for sharing. It really is satisfying getting these older rifles shooting again.

Joe

[huntervixen]

Very nice indeed, well done for ressurecting that fine rifIe I assume it can also be held off ticket as Sec58 when she retires (again)!

[davidh195]

Well done!

A few details on loading the round would be very intresting. :)

David

[Cad Monkey]

Nice shooting Ian. It's a nice feeling when all that time and effort is rewarded with results like that, well done that man

[targetman]

Excellent.....I would be most interested in your loads....

I have a Kropatschek and a supply of cases and a set of dies.

I have just got a .329" Lee bullet mould and sizing dies and have yet to set up my casting kit.

Not too sure the dies are quite right as they re-size suitable for a .323" bullet, so will have to be creative....

[Meaty]

Its been a really rewarding project so far and I am sure it will continue to be so as I try and refine things a bit further and push the distance out a bit. Certainly learnt a lot along the way and really appreciate the help/guidance from Dromia, JJVC and Dave 101.
Huntervixen, no chance that this one goes into retirement but one day I may try sneak another one into the house to have as a wallhanger (if the wife and kids dont bleed me dry first!)
I'll have a look back through my notes and try and get them in some semblance of order before I post a load but apparently these Steyrs have a wide variation in bore / throat dimensions so a chamber cast and a good slugging are the order of the day.

[FredB]

Try a Mauser 71-84, the parent of the Steyr Kropatcheck. A bit heavier, works as well with nitro powder, but better than the Krop with black, probably due to the larger calibre.
Fred

[Dougan]

So that's the rifle you were talking about at the Trafalgar...very nice old piece