Coming over to Dark side

[Martini2]

Field report on shooting Holy Black in 40-65. The 1st occasion for rifle and shooter was registered BP match @ Alma Michigan, A.P. Goodrich Silhouette range June 10th. Schedule only allowed one day at this weekend competition. Tech details as follows: 100 Starline brass once fired. Installed Fed 215 mag primers, weighed 59.0 grs. GEOX FF. Dropped charge slowly down 26 inch tube then Compressed powder with one 1/16th fiber wad on top approx. 3/10 inch. Seated lubed 410655 Lyman (418 gr) by hand with one grease grove showing. 2.875” OAL. The lube this time was home brew Bees Wax mix. This proved fine for keeping any leading in check at 1200 fps velocity. As noted the bore was swabbed between shots & this really pushed the timed fire sequence. I got off 59/60 record shots during match. The one operator error was to attempt to get shot off before time was up without swabbing. That cartridge, fortunately the 5th of string, would not seat with thumb. A slight roll crimp was used just enough to hold bullet in place. Firing tests and sighting in showed swabbing between shots to be rule #1. Week prior to match the same load was fired at 200 yards and 300 meters from bench. These hard sight elevation settings were interpolated into elevation table for this 30 inch barrel & Lee Shaver long range soule sight. Actual shooting during sight in period proved calculations were within 1-2 points of the settings needed for 200, 300, 385 & 500 meters. At least that was working for this 40-65. Keeping up with bore maintenance, wind, smoke blocked seeing and just plain fuzzy vision provided plenty excited entertainment. Bottom line I’m hooked on BP as a challenging way to shoot steel. I’m not certain the change in propellants will stick but I’m having a real hoot learning this method ?