What gun stuff did you do today?

[Raven]

Finished my March to Washington rifle today, with some help from my friend.

Is your truck ok? I saw the hood up

 

[Daezee]

Ever since I got my Martini .303 British rifle back from selling it years ago, I've been interested in getting back into .303 bolt action Enfield rifles. I found and bought this Ishapore made No 1 Mk 3*. What I found very interesting (and influenced me to buy it) was the date of manufacture of 1987. An Internet search said India stopped making them in 1974. Later, after I had the rifle, I found an old survey of India made 303's that showed a few were made in the 1980's, ending in 1988. Matching numbers, excellent bore, wood not all beat up or oil soaked. Bonus: It likes the identical cast bullet reload as my Martini likes, although I keep the brass separated for each rifle so all I have to do is neck resize to give the brass a longer life. Groove diameter is .314", and that is what my cast 303 bullets are at. Also got a No 4 Mk 2 at a good price...mint bore measures at .3125" groove diameter, and it also likes the identical cast bullet load of Lyman 314299 and 34.0gr 7383 (the powder that was used in 50 cal spotter/tracer rounds in the 106mm recoil-less).

My loads are giving the 200gr cast bullet in the 1715-1725fps range, depending upon the rifle, and are easy on the brass, rifle, and my shoulder. Yes, I started low and worked up and every time when the load reached 34.0gr, it shot the best. 7383 is a triple based powder with lots of flash inhibitor and not for beginner reloaders. Its pressure can go high quickly, so I keep it at mild cast bullet loads. It was never designed for reloading, but can be useful if used carefully. In its original designed use, the PSI was around 38,000. It stinks when shot and leaves a few grains in the bore. Bonus: It's cheap. Mine cost $3.25/pound when it was sold; today it's about $9 a pound.

RFI = Rifle Factory Ishapore. The workmanship is not up to that of the RFI rifles made under British supervision/control prior to 1949 when Britain left India. The buttplate is like that of the 1960's .308 India made Enfields. The symbol is that of India of 4 lions facing outward, and rather poorly stamped in this case. Actually, all the receiver markings are poorly stamped. The stock is nicely stamped SIA. SIA = Small Arms Inspectorate (their military rifle inspection entity). It came with a sling and pull through for bore cleaning, not shown. Some of the black painted-on finish has been rubbed off over the years. Now, I think I'll search for a non India made SMLE or No 1 Mk III.

 

[Terry91ggateroos]

I went gun shopping....... to bad almost everything is on back order.

 

[wildrider666]

Finished my March to Washington rifle today, with some help from my friend.

Nice detail on the pistol grip.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Nice detail on the pistol grip.

Like that huh? I know a guy that makes em. ($20-25) I've been thinking about turning him loose on the stock and handguard too. I need to bring him more practice pieces.100% non slip grip, also got rid of the annoying bump and narrowed it just a bit. He's a real craftsman with the poly.

 

[M60Gunner]

Scored an optic with some help from crabbyguy!! Thanks Bro! It already found a battle buddy.

The only keltec i wish I had!

 

[wildrider666]

Like that huh? I know a guy that makes em. ($20-25) I've been thinking about turning him loose on the stock and handguard too. I need to bring him more practice pieces.100% non slip grip, also got rid of the annoying bump and narrowed it just a bit. He's a real craftsman with the poly.

I tend to eyeball gun porn pretty close. Most might not even looked close enough to see the Bolt Handle. Lol

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

The only keltec i wish I had!

It's good. Interesting design, kinda of an ar/ak / galil. 4.6 lbs. Fires from closed, built in bipod. Pretty sweet.

 

[M60Gunner]

Oh yeah the front handgrip bipod! Awesome survival/backpack rifle. Edited to add I got very lucky today and scored an early birthday present. Been wanting a Colt 1911 since I had to sell my grandfather’s and now that the company is no longer American owned, the demand has skyrocketed and I pretty much gave up. It was meaningful to me to find this and I hope to pass it on to my oldest son. It is a gold cup national match series 80.

 

[rthmjc]

Resized some brass. Just about ready for primers, powder, and bullets. Would like to find some 140 gr ELD or SMK but hard to find at the moment. Could be a while ...

 

[DangDang]

Surprised the wife with a semi-auto 20 gauge as an early birthday present. Took her to Santa Rosa Shooting Center to shoot a round of sporting clays. She shot 25 rounds at stationary targets, then I threw her on the course. She went exactly 50/100. I tried convincing her that she did great! There was no hiding the fact that she had a blast. She said that she has found a new hobby. I told her she also acquired another hobby now... Shopping for ammo!

 

[ThatPunkGirl]

Here's an idea from a forum. The "what gun stuff did you do today" thread. We could make it a sticky if it' gets popular (enough). It's just a place to to go and yap about Anything or Everything. This may have been a better idea when there was NO ammo to be had.....but......

I went to my local store on base to see if they had anything new and wound up getting the OTIS "B.O.N.E." tool. I'm a gadgety kind of dude and the BONE tool looks useful enough. Figured for $21 I'd give it a try. So, now I need to take my AR out and dirty it up.

I finally sat down and compared guns I wanted and had a chance to go through alot of pros and cons!

 

[Raven]

I finally sat down and compared guns I wanted and had a chance to go through alot of pros and cons!

Find what you want, learn the basics, get a permit to carry, then go get some actual defensive training. That can be as simple, easy and fun as joining the local Pensacola area IDPA group at Escambia River Gun Club (we have a thread here on this forum) or paying for an actual class with instructors at a place like Talon Range in Tallahassee. That's assuming you're just getting started. For all I know, you could be the original G.I. Jane! Welcome to the GCGF

 

[rthmjc]

I cleaned more brass. Well, I initiated the process but the machine did it. It's cleaning more brass as I write this.

 

[Daezee]

Sawman gave me an inert cannon round to give to kendive (Ken collects them). Sure, I'll deliver it after I figure out what it is.

It's a 37mm model of 1885 shell (this the "37-85" marking) Made by Pouderies de Paris (thus the "PDPs" marking) September 1917, Lot #200. Used in a Hotchkiss 37mm gun and other WWI vintage cannons. Dummy me did not take a picture before I delivered it to Ken.

With some powders getting harder to find, I decided to see if I could find a good 303 British cast bullet load using 2200 Data Powder (I believe I have 3 jugs of it; used to use it in 6.8, but sold the 6.8 that preferred it a while back, so the powder has just been sitting.) Look at burning rate, start low and work up shooting for accuracy. At 27.0gr, 2 303 rifles shot pretty well with it with 200gr cast bullet. Loaded up more test rounds with that load and will shoot it more tomorrow. Hit within 1/2" of my normal load of 34.0gr 7383, just slightly different elevation with windage right on. Will also be shooting some .223 55gr loads with 2200 for point of impact testing (accuracy-wise it's "ok" but not superb in the .223). Goal is to use it up and "save" my good powders for longer distances.

 

[76251]

Received from Ruger.kom with only little over a month wait new Samson produced original style side folding stock. Not difficult job but pretty satisfied with end result...
Was going to order orig style FH but forgot. The DTA mil-brake is vintage and unique but looks a little off on the mini.

 

[Carl]

Today I sold my last firearm. I definitely did not want to but the kids college fund was more important. Ahh well.

 

[wildrider666]

Today I sold my last firearm. I definitely did not want to but the kids college fund was more important. Ahh well.

Sad, sad, sad. At least you have the memories and a shovel. Lol

 

[Gunin4m]

Got my order in from Summers, first time trying the hi-tek coating...

 

[M60Gunner]

Field stripped and cleaned the Gold Cup .45. It has the collet bushing which I had never seen IRL. I replaced it with a solid one from EGW.

Collet -

Solid - https://www.egwguns.com/national-match-bushing-stainless-steel