TXGunNut said
Bert-
I suppose a dirty bore could be an issue, the standard velocity 22LR target ammo seems to perform well regardless of whether the bore has seen 10 rounds or 300 rounds since the last cleaning. I know I get spoiled by a rifle that just needs a wiping down after a range trip. Some are apparently good for 500 rounds between cleanings. I get in trouble when I try to apply that thinking to the 22WMR and 17HMR. I doubt the folks making the barrels for the recalled R-words were doing their best work in those days. I don't shoot the 22WMR enough to know when to clean one but it's waiting for me in the room where the magic happens. The other-R-word 17HMR displayed high pressure signs after less than 50 rounds so it's in there too. I bought it to shoot the hundreds of rounds of 17HMR ammo on my shelf but I think its bore fouls faster than the 597's original barrel. Only good thing about cleaning the 17 is that I don't need patches, I pull a bit of cotton off the cotton balls that come in pill bottles and wrap it around the jag. All the .17 patches are good for is bending jags and cleaning rods. I think I've had enough of these magnum rimfires for awhile. Sun is coming out today, time for more rear aperture size research with Winchesters made from blue steel and walnut! 
 
Mike
  

In all honesty, I too was not aware that the 22 WMR apparently needs much more frequent cleaning versus the 22 LR rifles I shoot.  Like your experince, I have shot many hundreds of rounds through my Model 75 Target with no measuarble loss of accuracy, and when I am done shooting it, I simply run a dry patch down the bore to remove any loose powder residue.

I am going to test the "dirty bore" theory in this Model 61 by shooting nothing but the Super-X ammo in it during my next trip to the range.  I will document how many rounds go down the bore before the group sizes start getting larger.

Bert

Ben said
Bon appetite my friend!  

It arrived yesterday afternoon, but the Spousal Unit snagged it up with all of her Amazon deliveries thinking it was hers.  This morning she went to open it and realized it was not something she ordered... she keeps Amazon in the black, and knows all of the Amazon delivery people on a first name basis

Thanks,

Bert

p.s. still scrubbing the bore on the Model 61

https://www.scribd.com/document/575281607/Bullet-mold-enlargement

I suppose a dirty bore could be an issue, the standard velocity 22LR target ammo seems to perform well regardless of whether the bore has seen 10 rounds or 300 rounds since the last cleaning. I know I get spoiled by a rifle that just needs a wiping down after a range trip. Some are apparently good for 500 rounds between cleanings. I get in trouble when I try to apply that thinking to the 22WMR and 17HMR. I doubt the folks making the barrels for the recalled R-words were doing their best work in those days. I don't shoot the 22WMR enough to know when to clean one but it's waiting for me in the room where the magic happens. The other-R-word 17HMR displayed high pressure signs after less than 50 rounds so it's in there too. I bought it to shoot the hundreds of rounds of 17HMR ammo on my shelf but I think its bore fouls faster than the 597's original barrel. Only good thing about cleaning the 17 is that I don't need patches, I pull a bit of cotton off the cotton balls that come in pill bottles and wrap it around the jag. All the .17 patches are good for is bending jags and cleaning rods. I think I've had enough of these magnum rimfires for awhile. Sun is coming out today, time for more rear aperture size research with Winchesters made from blue steel and walnut! 

Mike

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 any 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, 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