Kirby:
The first kid is doing great and seriously wants to come out and play. I've got about 50 down the tube so far and it just gets better. Today, during some slack time hunting, I shot it at 300, 575, 845 and 1440 yards. Piece of cake.
I was just getting set up for the 1440 when a couple of hunters stopped to see what was going on. I told them I was going to try the new rifle out at a slightly extended range. They commented something like, 300 yards???. I told them no that we'd had 'er out to 845 and was going to try 1440 now. After they picked their jaws up I showed them what I had ranged.
A snadstone rock had broken off and had a nice flat face that with the range finder and the 2 moa hash marks appeared to be about 16"-18" square. I knew there was a slight wind from the left but told them I'd not allow for the wind on the first shot but would allow for it on the follow ups. First round down range hit at the left edge of the flat face. After allowing for the known wind drift the next 2 went pretty much center mass and we declared the rock dead. They were slightly amazed and very quiet. The big 200 Wildcat hit with a whack easily heard and the dust from the center of the rock was impressive. I think we may have a couple of long range believers now.
This thing is awesome. So far, it's pretty automatic. The sucker flat shoots. I can't wait to get the fire forms done and get with the full tilt loads. I'm hoping to be working with full tilt loads by the middle of next week.
Even with the fire form loads though, I'd not hesitate to take on any deer or elk. The big 200's have tremendous energy even at the reduced velocities.
This barrel was about like the 270 Lilja barrel in that at about 6 rounds or so the cleaning became a 2, or at the most, a 3 patch job. She cleans like a dream and amazingly a cold clean bore shot groups right with the next shots. The groups I had posted above all were fired after a through cleaning.
Sorry for not getting this info to you sooner but hunting comes first!!!
It was a pleasure working with you from the planning stages all the way through to shipment of the final product. She's a beauty and everyone that sees it either wants one or hates me. Funny how that works. I wouldn't hesitate to do another project with you when the time comes and it goes without saying that I recommend you and your work very highly.
For those thinking about the throating issue: I had it throated to be used primarily as a single shot with the big 200 grain Wildcat ULD RBBT's. I also wanted to have the ability to work up a secondary, shorter round to be used with the DBM when a repeater might be necessary. I would imagine that after work up of the shorter round, very few will ever be fired but the second choice will be nice.
Oh yeah, and before I forget, thanks to Richard Graves for the awesome little missles I get to shoot in this thing. Without them it wouldn't be nearly so much fun.
Thnk you for all of your work and yup.............We done good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
