Zeroing today

[Sandgroper]

Spent a few hours today with my son zeroing (@ 25m) some of my rifles and testing my latest project -

(Sorry Mike357 but this what has happened to your Winnie!)

Barrel has been shortened to 13.25 inches and the magazine now has a capacity of 6. The barrel hasn't been crowned as such but just squared off. I was planning to put a target crown on it but I don't think it really needs it!

The shots at the bottom of the right photo where 158gn boolits which it didn't like. The groups are from 125gn Rainier bullets with about 5.6gn (used a lee dipper) of titegroup.

More to follow once I recharge my laptop!

[Dave 101]

Looks as though you got some good groups so far how does it compare to the pre modifications for groups and handling is the felt recoil affected ?
I would imagine it would be ideal for Bianchi match .
Dave

[Mike357]

Don't apologise, looks like a cracking gun. I love the short barrel, that's why I would love a Marlin 1894P (I know where one is for sale but can't afford it.

I think this will be a great competition gun and I'm looking forward to competing against you next year! Let us all know how the load development goes.

[Sandgroper]

Cheers Mike.

Dave101,
The last time my wife shot it, she was averaging 20-25mm groups. I don't know the difference in group size is down to different styles of shooting or the mods. I know she didn't like the long barrel (24 inches). Originally I was going to turn it into a Mare's Leg lever action pistol (http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-mares-leg.cfm) at her request. In the end decided against it as I felt it was too muzzle heavy and she agreed.

It's not finished yet as I've still to put the irons back on and I'm not entirely happy with the scope that's on it at the moment. It'll keep me out of trouble over the winter!

I also zeroed my Destroyer

Annoyingly @25m it shoots 190mm (7.5 inches high) - I really need to get the ammunition chronographed, and the foresight checked at that could be too high. The two holes to the left are from a 158gn 38 special load which shows promise.

I also had some fun with my Ishy and some subsonic ammunition - 168gn A-Max with 8 grains of titegroup.

The 22lr holes where made by my son (8) shooting a Henry L/A (shot it unsupported for the first time ) - finally found some ammo the it likes! The hole under the subsonic groups was made by a 147gn fmj with 8 grains of titegroup as a test round.

[ovenpaa]

Did you do the barrel chop and mag shortening yourself?

[Sandgroper]

Also for anyone interested this what happens to a 7.62 subsonic round against 3mm steel plate (the two holes are from 142gn 6.5x55 ammunition)

Also recovered subsonic bullits from the backstop showed no expansion (but the BT's had sheared off) and one looked almost good enough to use again!

Did you do the barrel chop and mag shortening yourself?

Ovenpaa -yes

[Sandgroper]

Forgot the mention - regarding the felt recoil for the 357, I didn't notice any difference compared to when it had the longer barrel - but my wife will be the decider on that count .

Muzzle rise wasn't a problem either and I'm looking forward to see how it behaves with heavier loadings.

[Steve]

Actually looks a really funky gun with a shorter barrel and mag.

[ovenpaa]

Yep, I like the look of it as well. :goodjob:

Can you run through how you shortened the magazine and barrel?

[Sandgroper]

The magazine was easy as it's just a tube. So it was just a case of cutting it to length.

The barrel was relatively easy. I simply cut the barrel to slightly longer than I wanted and used this http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1828 ... ALIBER-SET
to square the barrel.

The tricky part was the band that secured the magazine tube to the barrel. The barrel was tapered so the band no longer fitted. So I cut the top off the band so it would expand over the barrel. I also had to file a groove into the barrel for the screw that goes through the band and secures it.

Yes it looks great (the picture doesn't do it justice) and handles even better.