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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.

clapclap

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

Joe

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)!

Well done!

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

David

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

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....

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.

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

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