TXGunNut said
Bert-
I took a few rimfires to the range today. It was a quick trip so I didn't pack any snacks and good whiskey tastes best AFTER the smoke clears. Shot up the last of my silver box Super X. The $6.95 price tag told me it needed to go! One group was actually decent but with flyers, last nine were terrible. I'll change out the remaining ammo in that NAA revolver soon, I doubt I'll need to sight it in again. All the 22WMR ammo on my shelf seems to print very close to the same spot.Too overcast for peep sight so target rifles stayed home. The newer Winchester offering shot well again today. The cheap little other R-word American in 17HMR shot quite well (about .5" @ 50) until the bore got badly fouled and pressure went up. Happens pretty quick with this rifle. I brought my 75 Sporting as a control but I couldn't get too serious and just slid right into plinking mode. I'd forgotten it doesn't much care for the Norma TAC but I had fun anyway. 
I don't think the 61M will ever be a target rifle but I think you will get under an inch with ammo it likes. I'd skip the CCI offerings, I am still struggling to get any level of consistency with the CCI 22WMR ammo on my shelf. Both of my R-words have decent glass so that's probably not a factor.
 
Mike
  

If you need an Super-X ammo, I have a LOT of it on hand.

I recently scrubbed the bore really good on the M61, and after deep cleaning it, the it did shoot a bit better... I am now convinced that Ben sold me a very "dirty" rifle.  I am going to clean it again, and then retry some of the ammo I have on hand.

Bert

I took a few rimfires to the range today. It was a quick trip so I didn't pack any snacks and good whiskey tastes best AFTER the smoke clears. Shot up the last of my silver box Super X. The $6.95 price tag told me it needed to go! One group was actually decent but with flyers, last nine were terrible. I'll change out the remaining ammo in that NAA revolver soon, I doubt I'll need to sight it in again. All the 22WMR ammo on my shelf seems to print very close to the same spot.Too overcast for peep sight so target rifles stayed home. The newer Winchester offering shot well again today. The cheap little other R-word American in 17HMR shot quite well (about .5" @ 50) until the bore got badly fouled and pressure went up. Happens pretty quick with this rifle. I brought my 75 Sporting as a control but I couldn't get too serious and just slid right into plinking mode. I'd forgotten it doesn't much care for the Norma TAC but I had fun anyway. 

I don't think the 61M will ever be a target rifle but I think you will get under an inch with ammo it likes. I'd skip the CCI offerings, I am still struggling to get any level of consistency with the CCI 22WMR ammo on my shelf. Both of my R-words have decent glass so that's probably not a factor.

Mike

Gus 

TXGunNut said
I pour my own 38WCF bullets using the Accurate 40-180C.  Accurate offers a few different 38WCF bullet moulds so it may be worth your time to peruse his offerings if you have a bullet design in mind. 
 
 
Mike
  

Mike, I use the same mould.  When I started loading for the 38-40 I bought a large supply of the Meister bullets years ago and eventually used them up a few years ago.   So I got the Accurate 40-180C mould to cast 20:1 bullets thinking that with the wide meplat on the 40-180C with softer lead I would get more expansion at my 1892 speed (1500-1600 fps) even if I didnt hit bone.  Ive had a pile of them cast for about a year now but havent go the chance to rework my load beyond a couple test runs--the current state of my eyesight makes it a bit of a challenge.  

Chris  

Thanks, Bill. I've got lots of Unique!

Mike

Mike

I called Lyman today and they have suspended making any molds untill sometime later next year which to me doesn’t make sense. They claim they are concentrating on making silencers right now. Go figure. 

Lee makes the least expensive molds but they only are making  .401 diameter for 40 caliber and they do not have the crimp grove in them for loading 38-40. 

So it is looking like I have to find someone selling their old mold or like you have suggested buy pre-made projectiles. 

I enjoy making my own. 

Steve

Missouri Bullet Company

Bert

I use IMR 4198 for the 32-40, 38-55, 33 WCF, and 25-20 S.S.  If I were to load for the 38-56, I would use 4198 for it as well.

Bert

25-20 86 3 grains 1585 MV

25-20SS 60G 4.0 1250

25-20SS 86 4.7 1480

25-35-86 6.5 1790 Jacketed

32-20-115 4.0 1000 Jacketed

5.4 1340

7 1575

32-20 115 5.5 1475 Lead

32-40 165 6.0 1100

32-40 8.2 1380

33WCF 200 11 1205 Jacketed

38-55 270 7 1042

45-90-300 15.0 1370

From Philip B Sharpe Complete guide to hand loading 1949

He listed nothing for 38-56, 38-70 40-65 and 40-70 or 40-82

We mainly load for the 1886 and use 5744 for 40-82-260. 45-90-300 and 50-110-300. We use 4198 for the other 86 Calibers..Bill

Any comments or questions are welcome  Bill

Ben said
Your Cheese Whiz & crackers arrive Thursday too... 🙂
  

It will with any doubt be a banner day

JWA said
I think Ben is implying it should shoot "1 minute of Ritz" (MoR) with the proper Cheez Whiz lubricant.
  

The Winter rain season has begun in here in the PNW, and coupled with Standard time, daylight hours are getting very short these days. Range time is significantly curtailed for the next 4-months.

I have almost no remaining empties to reload, so I am doing a detailed survey & inventory of my bullet, primer, and powder supplies.  I recently scored 2.5 lbs of IMR 4064, and I have an 8-lb keg of IMR 4350 arriving sometime Thursday afterenoon.

Bert