Retro classic build

[charlie b]

.308 cast bullets with a 1:10 twist barrel will start to lose accuracy due to too high a spin rate somewhere between 2000 and 2400fps. If it is a 1:12 twist you could go up to 2400-2800fps.

I've tested mine with the 210gn bullet quite a bit. The best accuracy is just under 2000fps but sometimes I can go a bit higher. I use a lot of 4166/4064 in mine.

For low vel stuff I use 160-180gn bullets at just under 1200fps. Blue Dot has worked for me but many others are ok as well. Depending on bullet you could stay under supersonic.

[Hdskip]

I'll give an update on the retro build. Ive done testing with Jacketed bullets in the 150 weight and cast load testing with 150s, 160s and 170s. Accuracy results for decent hunting accuracy has been achieved with the 150 jacketed and 150 gr cast with gas checks. My hunting plans for this project will be Virginia mountain whitetail deer in an area limited to 140 yd. shots. Due to recoil considerations I will use the cast bullet loads the most. Expectations for this project from an accuracy and function stand point have been met. The gun is now apart and stock finish is under way. I have decided to use an Ebony fore end tip and pistol grip cap. At this time I 'll forego pictures and will show progressive pictures up to finish a little later. This project has been interesting and fun and I challenged myself to keep it low budget. So far it is still under $600 including price of the 300 H&H reamer. So far, so good. I will return a little later with final results before long. Thanks for looking .

[Dave Hoback]

Good news brother. Glad you’re enjoying it.

I have to say, I still can’t quite understand using this:


With basically the power of this:


But I don’t have to get it. Long as it’s serving your purpose, that’s all that matters. Now, when you get the stock all refinished, & Rig back together, make sure to posts some pics. I certainly DO get that!

[PhilC]

I'll give an update on the retro build. Ive done testing with Jacketed bullets in the 150 weight and cast load testing with 150s, 160s and 170s. Accuracy results for decent hunting accuracy has been achieved with the 150 jacketed and 150 gr cast with gas checks. My hunting plans for this project will be Virginia mountain whitetail deer in an area limited to 140 yd. shots. Due to recoil considerations I will use the cast bullet loads the most. Expectations for this project from an accuracy and function stand point have been met. The gun is now apart and stock finish is under way. I have decided to use an Ebony fore end tip and pistol grip cap. At this time I 'll forego pictures and will show progressive pictures up to finish a little later. This project has been interesting and fun and I challenged myself to keep it low budget. So far it is still under $600 including price of the 300 H&H reamer. So far, so good. I will return a little later with final results before long. Thanks for looking .

Excellent, looking forward to future updates! Making and shooting cast accrately is very rewarding, especially when you can shoot something like your H&H at modest recoil levels for pennies vs full power loads unnecessary for your intended use.

[Hdskip]

PhilC thanks for the encouragement. I've pretty much always done things "swimming up stream" so to speak. As they say I have means , opportunity and some small amount of skill to try things that obviously don't make much sense to most folks. But what the heck, I'm retired and retirement is about doing what you want to do, not what you have to do. If something interests me I'm likely going to go investigate it. Most of my projects throw a lot of labor and ingenuity at it instead of $$$$$. The challenge for me is to do it at the least expense and make it successful and enjoy it after it is done and I do enjoy using these as often as possible. That's the beauty of this great country we live in, the freedom to do what we like. Posting on here will hopefully encourage others to " branch out and swim upstream" and try new or old things and not follow all the latest trends. I know it's not for everyone but I can't help but believe there are others that think similar to me. Those are the ones I'd like to encourage .

[PhilC]

I get it and do much the same myself. Just finished breaking in my 7BR which will be a dedicated bench rifle used to shoot cast in CBA competition. Talk about swimming upstream "everybody" is shooting 30BR but I've been a 7mm fan since the 80s so my caliber choice was a given. I even got my 12FV 6.5 Creed to shoot good groups with cast and that was with the 1:8 factory barrel!

Have a couple magnum rifles that have become safe queens since I stopped hunting. I'm thinking about casting for them too, at least I could enjoy them rather than just wipe them down and look at them.

[Robinhood]

PhilC thanks for the encouragement. I've pretty much always done things "swimming up stream" so to speak. As they say I have means , opportunity and some small amount of skill to try things that obviously don't make much sense to most folks. But what the heck, I'm retired and retirement is about doing what you want to do, not what you have to do. If something interests me I'm likely going to go investigate it. Most of my projects throw a lot of labor and ingenuity at it instead of $$$$$. The challenge for me is to do it at the least expense and make it successful and enjoy it after it is done and I do enjoy using these as often as possible. That's the beauty of this great country we live in, the freedom to do what we like. Posting on here will hopefully encourage others to " branch out and swim upstream" and try new or old things and not follow all the latest trends. I know it's not for everyone but I can't help but believe there are others that think similar to me. Those are the ones I'd like to encourage .

Well put Hdskip. BTW Awesome Project and Execution. If I had wide open spaces and the energy, your influence would spark another project. Thanks for sharing it. I still wish I had built that 8mm Mauser that I used to dream of. I have 2 of those scopes, one of wich would have sat on top.

[Dave Hoback]

PhilC thanks for the encouragement. I've pretty much always done things "swimming up stream" so to speak. As they say I have means , opportunity and some small amount of skill to try things that obviously don't make much sense to most folks. But what the heck, I'm retired and retirement is about doing what you want to do, not what you have to do. If something interests me I'm likely going to go investigate it. Most of my projects throw a lot of labor and ingenuity at it instead of $$$$$. The challenge for me is to do it at the least expense and make it successful and enjoy it after it is done and I do enjoy using these as often as possible. That's the beauty of this great country we live in, the freedom to do what we like. Posting on here will hopefully encourage others to " branch out and swim upstream" and try new or old things and not follow all the latest trends. I know it's not for everyone but I can't help but believe there are others that think similar to me. Those are the ones I'd like to encourage .

Indeed.. that was well formed, honest & quite a thoughtful post, Hdskip. Made me smile reading it. Cheers

[Steeltrap]

Very nice work!!

I'm in no way trying to steal your thunder, but what you have done reminds me of what I did to a similar '87 vintage Savage 110. It all started because I had a 6.5x55mm barrel just hanging out!!

I purchased the Savage 110 for $200. I hated the factory paint on finish and the shape of the stock. So, I reshaped it, took off a bunch of wood, installed pillars, bedded the action, finished the stock with AquaFortis, the "finish" pic doesn't show the extra coats of TrueOil that I applied. After this pic I also cut 3" of the barrel and reduced the LOP (I cut the stock) so it was 13.5". Made the firearm much easier to take afield.

Mine is not a the very nice restore work that you have done. I can only hope this inspires others to take the "jump" and do what works for them!

[GrenGuy]

If You guys keep this up You’re going to make Me start trolling the PAWN SHOPS