Duplicating Factory Ammunition

Sometimes the reward is worth the work.

H-S Precision Sporter Light Rifle

Wringing Out a Semi-Custom.308 Winchester

Hawkeye Borescope

Seeing is Understand

.25-06 Ackley Improved

.25-06 Ackley Improved

Runge Prime Catcher

Runge Prime Catcher

Power Case Trimming

Tools that work and Save Time

Cartridge Board

The early years of the 3-inch 20 gauge were discussed in the last issue. These lasted until World War II, at which time the cartridge should have disappeared, because it had been no more than a fad among a bunch of wealthy duck hunters. All the stories about it producing large bags and amazing long-range shots were just that, stories, and an example of the fact that scatter gunners tend to remember the hits while forgetting the misses. Indeed, the 3-inch 20 gauge is not, nor can it ever be, anything but a common 16 gauge that is maybe a bit slimmer and a few ounces lighter. It takes these advantages back, however, in recoil when the trigger is pulled on a cartridge containing a shot charge equal to that of the 16 gauge.

Irreplaceable Gun Stores

As I have written in these pages several times, I was born and raised in Mingo County, West Virginia, the location of the Hatfield/McCoy Feud of the late 1800s and the Coal Mine/Union Wars of the early 1900s. (My great-great grandmother was Suzanna Hatfield.) In 1968, the nearest college was Marshall University in Huntington, where in November 1970, a plane crash wiped out the football team and coaching staff. The 2007 movie We Are Marshall was based on that tragedy. (Yes, I was a student there at the time.)

Annealing Rifle Brass

The primary reason for annealing rifle brass is to prevent case necks from cracking – and they will, eventually, because firing and resizing cases “work hardens” brass, making the thin necks brittle. Most rifle cases will survive four or five firings, and some will last longer, depending on the brand and method of resizing. Many handloaders avoid the issue entirely by retiring brass after several firings.

Missteps in Cartridge Design

No one would deny that the 6.5 Creedmoor, designed by Hornady, with rifles initially made by Ruger, is not one of the great combinations to come down the pike in recent years. No one can predict the future, but barring some cataclysm, it seems destined to become as much a fixture on the shooting scene as the .270 Winchester.

IMR Target

PROPELLANT PROFILES

Starline Brass

FROM THE HIP

Colt SAA .38-40/.38 WCF

MIKE’S SHOOTIN’ SHACK

.277 Wolverine

WILDCAT CARTRIDGES

P.O. Ackley's Big .450

Still Good After All These Years

.223 Remington

Loading for Accuracy, Efficiency and Versatility

The .455 Webley Labyrinth

Mk. II Loads for a Classic Revolver.

The Original .338 Winchester

Loads for an 1886 .33 WCF.

Unique

The Universal Powder.