Post by: Sabotloader on May 19, 2013, 07:28:13 PM
We have a early season rifle/archery hunt that starts in mid August thru mid September. It is a cow elk, actually 'antlerless elk' hunt, and it is called the Green Field Season. Local farmers can submit a bill to the State for big game damage to crop fields, and to help keep these payments down the Fish & Game offers these hunts to help move the animals out of the fields and back into the back country. So in preparation for that hunt - decided to go work out the Ultra-Lite this morning. The only time I would hunt elk in that season is early in the morning and it would have to be a cool morning. This morning was much like that so a testing trip was in order.
Got to the rock pit and got set about 8:30 - the temp was still in the low 60's. And that is really important since I shoot MMP sabots - because of their polymer formulation they are not fond of warm temps and hot barrels - probably should use Harvesters at that point, but the MMP's are so good in the cold temps.
I had decided not to shoot paper - so I placed a set of 'clay pigeons' on the rock wall at 100 yards down range. I was shooting 120 grains of T7-2f, with a 300 grain Bloodline in a red Knight sabot. The load was shot using a W209 primer which fits perfectly in bolt/breech plug set-up. Little bit of primer nose pressure and really close to 0 blow back.
I do not know about anybody else but some days I have do not shoot as well as I want and then there are other days that are just awesome! Today was one of those awesome days! I really had a difficult time missing. The first set of clay targets proved to be no problem at all. In fact I ended up shooting up partial bottle of T7-2f with and opened a new bottle. I was kinda shocked when I opened the new bottle. It was labeled #5 - Between January and now I had shot 4 pounds of T7-2F powder and was opening the 5th pound. The bottle of 3f in my box was labeled #3 and it was nearly new - so I had also burned up 2 bottles of T7-3f. It has been a busy 2013 already....
Well, anyway here are some pictures of this mornings expedition to the rock pit.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2Fsabotloader%2FKnight%2520Ultra-Lite%2FWorkComposite.jpg&hash=431a254401fabe375d1edcdf1fe34472c5903ac4) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sabotloader/media/Knight%20Ultra-Lite/WorkComposite.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2Fsabotloader%2FKnight%2520Ultra-Lite%2FBirdSetsComposite.jpg&hash=063af7dd78c7d48e58a5f367d3d815c0d4541279) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sabotloader/media/Knight%20Ultra-Lite/BirdSetsComposite.jpg.html)
At the end of shooting the full sized birds - I spent another 45 minutes shooting and chips that I could find down range - it was just a great morning for shooting even though I had to let the rifle cool a bit between shots - I just do not have the patience for that part.
Post by: oneshot12 on May 21, 2013, 09:30:40 AM
Post by: Sabotloader on May 21, 2013, 09:34:14 AM
:) looks and sounds like you had a good time but then any timeout shooting is a good time :tup:
EXACTLY
Post by: oneshot12 on May 22, 2013, 04:47:38 AM
shoot well OLD SON
Post by: Sabotloader on May 22, 2013, 08:05:34 AM
need to start dialing in my Remington 54 in soon ,need to get it ready myself guess its about darn time i get to work on loads and bullets been usenin the powerbelt 295 lead and 100 gr 3 f been hitting pretty good in the past , been looking at kicken it up a notch , still use the #11 mag caps though not really going to use the 209s cant here during B/P season over here you know once i get my butt in gear will let you know how its going!
shoot well OLD SON
The Rem 700 is a great rifle and 99% of them shoot lights out. Your 3f powder load and cap ignition would be right in the area that I would use - just make sure you are taking your bolt apart and cleaning the hammer spring and hammer from time to time.
Next part and I am trying to be diplomatic.... Have you ever considered switching from a Power Belt to a projectile and sabot. I do have to agree that the PB's shoot great! and with the 100 grain load in a 54 you are probably not over shooting them which can/might cause them to pancake or even splatter. If they pancake - it certainly will reduce penetration and if they are driven to hard they can 'blow up' especially with contact on a major bone.
Are most of your shots on deer or are you working on elk also?
I really enjoy shooting so - I do shoot a lot for recreation - have really gone to shooting biodegradable clay pigeons for practice than shooting paper - I like breaking things...
later - mike
Post by: oneshot12 on May 22, 2013, 09:00:02 AM
Russ
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 22, 2013, 09:30:27 AM
Next part and I am trying to be diplomatic.... Have you ever considered switching from a Power Belt to a projectile and sabot. I do have to agree that the PB's shoot great! and with the 100 grain load in a 54 you are probably not over shooting them which can/might cause them to pancake or even splatter. If they pancake - it certainly will reduce penetration and if they are driven to hard they can 'blow up' especially with contact on a major bone.:yeah:
later - mike
I shot a bear at super close range (like 15 yards) with a 295 aerotip powerbelt in front of 140 grains of powder. There was NO penetration at all, complete pancake, luckily got a second shot. Since then I've learned the dynamics of these projectiles much better.
Shot a buck at 90 yards last fall with a 348 grain HP powerbelt with a 100 grain charge. Penetrated both shoulder blades on a 3 1/2 year old buck. I like the heavier bullets because they seem to plow through and make a good clean hit rather than ricochet around.
I know I should probably make the switch to saboted projectiles or bloodlines but I'm nervous about change :tung:
Post by: Sabotloader on May 23, 2013, 08:20:01 AM
will give them a try got any good suggestions ? do both deer and elk so far haven't really had much trouble with penetration as far as i can see plenty of knock down power , as i said looking to kick it up some so any help is welcome mike just remember iron sights and # 11 caps for this side of the mts be nice if and when they ever change the rules on them here
Russ
Since you are after both deer and elk - for right now I would suggest you see if you can find a box of .452-300 grain Speer Deep Curl bullets (they will be really hard to find they are awful popular) or .4515-300 grain Sierra Sports Master bullets #8830 and/or .452-300 grain Hornady XTP's.
Then you will need to come up with some Sabots - You will be looking for some 45x54 sabots... that might be a little tough and you might have to go online to find them. Actually I have a bunch of them (older sabots) I could send you a pack if you can find some bullets.
mike