NEW! Pro Series Magnum at 600 Yards? STEEL SHOT: Speed Is the Solution! The Incredible Shrinking Gun! Elmer Keith s Legendary Shot

Transcription

1 STEEL SHOT: Speed Is the Solution! The Incredible Shrinking Gun! NEW! S&W Pro Series Magnum at 600 Yards? Elmer Keith s Legendary Shot October 2009 No. 262 Rifle Magazine Presents - HANDLOADER $ Printed in USA $5.99 U.S./Canada

2 October 2009 Volume 44, Number 5 ISSN Issue No Colt Reloader s Press - Dave Scovill Cast Bullet Accuracy Bullets & Brass - Brian Pearce Loading Large Batches Mike s Shootin Shack - Mike Venturino Accurate 1680 Propellant Profiles - R.H. VanDenburg, Jr Defining the Hard-Cast Bullet From the Hip - Brian Pearce.380 Revolver Cartridge Board - Gil Sengel If It Ain t Broke... Pistol Pointers - Charles E. Petty Pro Series 1911 Smith & Wesson Production Custom Stan Trzoniec Loading for World War II Handguns In the Trenches Mike Venturino A Second Round of Reloading Steel Speed is the solution for steel shot! John Haviland.44 Magnum at 600 Yards Keith s Legendary Shot Brian Pearce Page Page Page Background Photo: 2009 Royal Tine Images Handloader 262

3 On the cover... The stainless Smith & Wesson 1911 Pro Series 9mm features a lightweight target-type trigger, Novak sights and 10+1 magazine capacity. Photo by Stan Trzoniec Page 66 Page 94 Page Savage Model 14 American Classics Steve Gash The Effect of Shrinking Guns Midsize to Mini 1911s Charles E. Petty Where To Go Special Advertising Section - Clair Rees 02 Brownells Three-Gun Competition Case Inside Product News - Clair Rees Page Publisher of Handloader is not responsible for mishaps of any nature that might occur from use of published loading data or from recommendations by any member of The Staff. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Publisher assumes all North American Rights upon acceptance and payment for all manuscripts. Although all possible care is exercised, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for lost or mutilated manuscripts. Issue No. 262 October 2009 AMMUNITION RELOADING JOURNAL Publisher/President Don Polacek Associate Publisher Mark Harris Editor in Chief Dave Scovill Managing Editor Roberta Scovill Art Director Gerald Hudson Production Director Becky Pinkley Contributing Editors Associate Editor Al Miller John Haviland Ron Spomer Brian Pearce Stan Trzoniec Charles E. Petty R.H. VanDenburg, Jr. Clair Rees Mike Venturino Gil Sengel Ken Waters Advertising Advertising Director - Stefanie Ramsey stefanie@riflemag.com Advertising Representative - Tom Bowman bowmant@sbcglobal.net Advertising Information: Circulation Circulation Manager Michele Elfenbein circ@riflemag.com Subscription Information: Handloader (ISSN ) is published bimonthly by Polacek Publishing Corporation, dba Wolfe Publishing Company (Don Polacek, Pres - ident), 2625 Stearman Rd., Ste. A, Prescott, Arizona (also publisher of Rifle magazine). Tele - phone: (928) Periodical Postage paid at Prescott, Arizona, and additional mailing offices. Subscription prices: U.S. possessions single issue, $5.99; 6 issues, $22.97; 12 issues, $ Foreign and Canada single issue, $5.99; 6 issues $29.00; 12 issues, $ Please allow 8-10 weeks for first issue. Advertising rates furnished on request. All rights reserved. Change of address: Please give six weeks notice. Send both the old and new address, plus mailing label if possible, to Circulation Dept., Handloader Magazine, 2625 Stearman Rd., Ste. A, Prescott, Arizona POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Handloader, 2625 Stearman Rd., Ste. A, Prescott, Arizona Wolfe Publishing Company 2625 Stearman Rd. Suite A Prescott, AZ Tel: (928) Fax: (928) Polacek Publishing Corporation 6 Background Photo: 2009 Royal Tine Images Handloader 262

4 BULLETS & BRASS Q : My friends and I have been having an informal shooting contest using mostly.38 Special and.357 target revolvers in offhand positions. We are scoring at 25 and 50 yards using any freestyle (no rest) method. I nor - mally use a common two-hand hold. The stakes are getting high, as last time I had to pick up the tab at the pizza parlor! Hornady swaged lead 148-grain hollowbase wadcutter bullets are designed for target work. Normally I do pretty well with my Smith & Wesson Model 14 with a 6-inch barrel but think my handloads might be improved. When I first started, I was using commercial cast 158-grain SWC bullets with bevel base charged with 4.0 grains of IMR-700-X. Next I switched to 125-grain Hornady XTP-HP bullets, but they were a bit costly for paper punching, and I haven t been able to purchase them locally. One of my friends gave me some homecast 150-grain bullets from Lyman mould They shot just okay. As of late, I have been using commercial cast bullets CAST BULLET ACCURACY by Brian Pearce from a local supplier that are roundnose and 158 grains, but I m still not satisfied. Any suggestions on how to improve accuracy would help. J.S., Tacoma WA A: I would suggest trying Hornady 148-grain lead hollowbase wadcutter bullets behind 3.0 grains of Alliant Bullseye or 3.3 grains of Winchester 231 and capped with a Federal 100 or CCI 500 Small Pistol primer. I seat the bullet out for an overall cartridge length of 1.3 inches, which is greater than Hornady suggests at inches, but this places the bullet into the throat, which results in better alignment in the bore. Apply a medium crimp and use cases from one manufacturer and of the same lot number. Either load will give just under 800 fps and should prove accurate. Perhaps your friends will be purchasing the pizza next time! MARLIN.357 MAGNUM Q: Let me begin by saying that I really appreciate your articles. I farm and ranch here in southeastern Arizona at about 4,500 feet elevation. I carry Ruger revolvers in my pickup everyday, mainly a Single-Six, as the good, old.22 Long Rifle takes care of 90 percent of my needs. I also carry Blackhawks in.357 and.44 Magnum and lately.44 Special. Recently I purchased a Marlin Model Magnum with the hope that my daughters (ages 4 and 8) will be able to shoot deer and javelina in a year or two. I purchased a bunch of Remington 180-grain jacketed hollowpoint bullets, thinking they would be better for larger game than the 158-grain Hornady XTPs that I shoot most often. Here is my problem. When I loaded the 180-grain bullets and crimped them in their cannelures, they were too long to function through the Marlin but work fine in the revolvers. My question is, can I load this bullet in.38 Special +P cases? I created a dummy round and it functions fine. By the way I loaded the 180-grain bullet over 8.0 grains of Alliant Power Pistol capped with a Winchester Magnum primer in.357 cases. Is the.38 Special +P any different than standard.38 Special cases? Your advice will be greatly appreciated. T.R.H., Willcox AZ A: I would like to know more details of why the 180-grain bullet is too long to function in the Marlin levergun. Perhaps your cases need trimming to the.357 Magnum minimum length of inches, or possibly the crimp should be placed on the upper side of the bullet cannelure. Regardless, the overall Not all.38 Special +P cases are equal in strength but are often stronger than standard non +P.38 Special cases Handloader 262

5 cartridge length should be kept to inches. I would rather see you utilize the.357 case if possible. Yes, you can load the 180-grain bullet in.38 Special cases, but generally their construction is not as strong as.357 Magnum cases, which varies considerably from one manufacturer to the next. That fact, combined with the Special s smaller capacity, will require a reduction in the powder charge. Just for information, your.357 Magnum load containing 8.0 grains of Alliant Power Pistol behind the 180-grain JHP bullet is probably exceeding industry pressure limits of 35,000 psi. And Alliant does not recommend using a magnum primer with any of its powders designed for pistols and revolvers, as it does increase pressures. I wish your daughters the best on their future javelina and deer hunts! THE 300-GRAIN.44 SPECIAL LOAD Q: I was thrilled with your article on the New Ruger Blackhawk.44 Special, as well as all the data. I have been looking for any information on loading a 300-grain lead flatnose bullet in the Ruger.44 Special. Any information you could provide will help. By the way, I have finally subscribed to your magazine, so will not miss another issue. Steve, Flagstaff AZ A: Thank you for the compliment. I did not try 300+ grain bullets in the Ruger New Model Blackhawk.44 Special, but it would certainly handle them safely. Going back through my.44 Special notes, a 307-grain Keith-style cast bullet went 1,059 fps (from a Smith & Wesson Model 24-3 with a inch barrel) using 15.5 grains of The.44 Special can be handloaded with 300-grain cast bullets. Hodgdon H-110. Cases were Winchester capped with a Federal 155 Large Pistol Magnum primer. This load is generating less than 25,000 psi and should only be used in strong.44 Specials designed to handle that level of pressure. Welcome to Handloader. RUGER.44 SPECIAL BLACKHAWK ACCURACY Q: In your recent article on the Ruger New Model Blackhawk.44 Special, you talked about groups of less than inches. Are you using a Ransom Rest? If not would you explain more about how you are getting these groups? Are you holding the gun and shooting over sandbags? On a separate note, we were in your part of the country in November; it sure is beautiful! L.B., Slidell LA Brian uses several shooting methods to check guns for accuracy. When firing from a sandbag rest, the arms and elbows should be resting on sandbags, with the frame of the gun pushed forward on the sandbags. Never touch the butt of the gun on a rest. A: I do not use a machine rest but usually a sandbag rest. The revolver s frame and sometimes the rear half of the barrel is usually rested over sandbags (pushed forward) with a leather covering to prevent gases from the barrel/cylinder gap from cutting the bags. My forearms are likewise supported with sandbags, with bags under the elbows to help steady but also pad, which is 16 Handloader 262

6 appreciated when firing sixguns with heavier recoil. The shooting hand is always carefully placed as much behind the gun as possible with the forearm being in line with the barrel as much as is feasible and comfortable. And just like any other type of shooting, using exactly the same grip, arm and head position and sight picture for each shot will help shrink groups..45 AUTO RIM CLIPS Q: I wanted to comment on your reporting on handloading the.45 Auto Rim cartridge in Handloder No I have used both.45 AR and.45 ACP ammunition in my revolvers 1917 Colt, S&W Model 1989 and Model 625. I haven t found it to be a big problem unloading the moon clips simply pulling the cases out of the clip with the pliers on my pocket Leatherman tool. The moon clips are certainly handy not only for a fast reload but also as an excellent compact manner to carry spare ammunition. Two full-moon clips in a standard revolver speed loader pouch on a belt is about as handy as it gets. Also, I would like to ask if you have any experience or data on loading heavy (350+ grains) cast bullets in the.444 Marlin? Essentially I would like to duplicate ballistics of the.43 Spanish or My rifle is a late 1960 s Marlin with a 24-inch Micro- Groove barrel, so velocities probably need to be around 1,400 fps. Any information you can furnish on this would be appreciated. Thank you for an excellent publication. J.M.J., Hannibal MO A: Perhaps I have been misunderstood. I have a love/hate relationship with full-moon clips in.45 ACP revolvers. On the love side there is no faster method to reload a sixgun than with fullmoon clips, even faster than any speed loader, making them a top choice for combat situations. On the hate side, if one or two cartridges are fired in the field, cases can be difficult to remove from the clips unless a tool is readily at hand. And I don t carry a Leatherman on my belt or any of the other tools that have been developed specifically for that purpose. Even if I did carry the tools, it is a ridiculously slow method to empty the gun, use a tool to remove a couple of cases from the clip, then insert new cases into the clip and then reload the revolver. By comparison I can simply pull the one or two fired.45 Auto Rim cases directly from the chamber, then reload those chambers only, which can be accomplished in a fraction of the time and without tools. And this can be done with one hand if necessary, such as riding a horse while holding the reins and during extremely cold weather. It really boils down to how the gun is going to be used, with both the.45 Auto Rim and.45 ACP cartridges housed in full moon clips having their virtues. And having those options is what makes.45 ACP revolvers so unique and versatile. Regarding the.444 Marlin, the heaviest cast bullets I have tried (likewise in an early Model 444 with a 24-inch barrel) were 335 grains with a muzzle velocity of nearly 2,100 fps, which grouped into less than 2 inches at 100 yards. In my experience using the same bullets in a Marlin Model Magnum with the same one-in-38-inch twist Micro-Groove barrel as the.444, they did not perform especially well at the lower velocities that you mention, probably due to a lack of stabilization. The point being, you may get dismal results at the 1,400 fps velocity you mention. The bullet I referenced was an LBT design with a gas check with 47.5 grains of (a Previously loaded full-moon clips are a fast method to reload the Smith & Wesson Model ACP, but the clips are slow and cumbersome to reload in the field without tools. compressed charge) Hodgdon H- 322 capped with a Federal 210 primer for 2,085 fps. October-November

7 America s Outdoor Books for Avid Sportsmen SUPPLEMENT TO 2008 Trevor V. Swanson

8 What s New Propellant Profiles Fifth Edition The most convenient reference of powders available to American reloaders from the last 45 years. Includes manufacturers and authors recommended loads and tips. Newly revised and updated to include the newer powders. Catalog # SB $39.95 Available Oct 2009 Alaskan Yukon Trophies Won & Lost G.O. Young Back by popular demand in a limited hard-bound edition, the original book was printed in 1947 and covers an expedition into the interior of Alaska and the Yukon Territory by a party of three men. Share their journey through triumph and hardship. This is truly one of the best hunting adventures of all time. Catalog # HB $39.95 Dear Folks Paul A. Matthews Paul Matthews is the authoritative fi gure in the world of black powder cartridge rifl e casting, loading and shooting. Paul s books have taught us and helped us to learn more about this great sport. Now for the fi rst time, Paul shares his life experiences during World War II. Follow Paul from his enlistment to VJ Day. This is a must read for all of Paul s fans. Catalog # SB $22.50 Available Dec Calendar Wolfe Publishing Co. Featuring 13 months of stunning wildlife photography by Stan Trzoniec. Catalog # Calendar $15.95 Adventure The Stewart Edward White Series From one of the leading outdoorsmen of the nineteenth century, White gives his methods for extended stays in rugged country with how-to s from packing horses to pitching tents in rough weather. More than survival, you can enjoy your wilderness stay. His great writing style about African adventure is equaled in this work only with his love of North America. Camp & Trail The Forest Catalog # HB $25.00 Catalog # HB $25.00 The Mountains The Rediscovered Country Catalog # HB $25.00 Catalog # HB $25.00 *Buy all four and Save! Catalog # 580.SET HB $75.00 Custer s Horses Gary Paul Johnston, James A. Fischer and Harold A. Geer What really happened that fateful day in 1876? For more than a century, it has been the object of controversy, debate and fascination. Never before has the Battle of the Little Bighorn been examined from the horses perspectives. This landmark book reveals a never-published report and an untold story giving new insights into why the cavalry s fate was sealed before that legendary encounter. History and Little Bighorn buffs will love this book! Catalog # SB $15.95 ON SALE $9.95 Rustlers of West Fork Louis L Amour A L Amour classic frontier novel featuring the legendary Hopalong Cassidy. Catalog # HB $18.00 ON SALE $9.00 REVISED UPDATE Newest Book!

9 Shooting Sam Colt s Own Record, 1847 Samuel Colt Chronologically presented, the correspondence published in this volume completes the account of the manufacture in 1847 of the Walker Model Colt revolver. This book is a most unusual and rare look at fi rearms and early industrial history. This record has never been published before and is a must have for every history buff and lover of the revolver. Catalog # SB $24.50 Modern Shotguns and Loads Charles Askins This classic covers shotguns and shooting techniques. History, ammunition, handloading and the principles and terms of wingshooting are explained. Timeless information. Catalog # HB $25.00 Family Protection Guide Craig Fox Huber Learn how to outsmart anyone threatening your family s safety with these practical tips from a former Marine with 25 years of experience in high-risk personal security. Guides to making your home as safe as possible and avoiding potential hazards of day-to-day living wherever you go may save the life of a loved one. Customize your family s self-defense plan with recommended products, training and conditioning. This book will teach you how to think security in everything you do. Catalog # SB $24.95 The Muzzle-Loading Rifle... Then and Now Walter M. Cline This extensive compilation about the muzzleloading rifl e contains a cross section of the preserved data concerning the development of the hallowed ole arms of the Southern highlands. History and gun knowledge not found so easily is yours in this vital resource. Catalog # HB $32.00 The Paul A. Matthews Collection Paul Matthews is the authoritative fi gure in the world of Black Powder Cartridge Rifl e shooting. This collection of books contains a wealth of information. Once again Matthews offers his astute insight into the world of black powder cartridge rifl e shooting with more tips and recipes for the accuracy needed to effectively compete. Lots of how-to s, from cross-sticks to mirage to making your own casting dipper and bullet lubricant, Paul imparts all the facts and fi gures necessary to come out a winner! More How-To s for the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Shooter Catalog # SB $22.50 Cast Bullets for the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Catalog # SB $22.50 How-To s for the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Shooter Catalog # SB $22.50 Black Powder, Pig Lead and Steel Silhouettes Catalog # SB $22.50 Shooting the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Catalog # SB $22.50 Loading the Black Powder Rifle Cartridge Catalog # SB $22.50 Forty Years with the.45-70, Revised Catalog # SB $22.50 Paper Jacket Catalog # SB $22.50 Paul Matthews Collection Save Over $44 on Set Free DVD ROM with Set Buy the entire collection! You get all 8 books for only $ plus the 2 books Wind Drift and Deceleration of the Cast Bullet at Black Powder Velocities and Casting Premium Bullets for the Black Powder Cartridge Rifl e on DVD ROM for Free. Catalog # 567.SET $

10 Reloading Pet Loads The Complete Volume Ken Waters This is Ken s monumental lifetime work in the handloading fi eld. More than just a reloading manual, this large, comprehensive book contains loading procedures, tables, tips, precautions and commentary; over 150 cartridges are detailed. No handloader s library is complete without this comprehensive book. This new updated book incorporates all supplements from #1-#24. Catalog # SB $60.00 Ken Waters Notebook Best Wishes for Good Shooting Ken Waters (Brand New Material Never Before Published) Today s best authority on reloading and fi rearms reveals his unfathomable knowledge through this chronological catalog of letters. In the tradition of other great shooters notebooks, this text of letters contains load data, little known facts, history, esoteric details and Ken s personal recommendations to various questions and concerns. If you enjoy fi nding little nuggets of golden information on handloading or guns, you will be fascinated on your journey through these letters that are jammed with information, not chit-chat. The loads are well worth the purchase and all information has never been published before. Ken was prolifi c in his correspondence with extensive details. None of these letters ever appeared in Rifl e or Handloader magazines; it is all new material from the author. This is a large book presented in the original letter format. Those who know Ken will love this new book, and those not familiar will be amazed at the depth of his knowledge and straightforward, easy-to-understand writing style. Catalog # SB $35.00 The Legacy of Lever Guns This special edition from the folks at Rifl e and Handloader magazines is devoted to America s favorite rifl es. The Legacy of Lever Guns is a complete reference for loading and shooting lever actions! It is the most authoritative work on lever actions ever, including manufacture dates for various serial numbers. Marlin, Savage, Winchester, Browning and more are covered. Catalog # SB $7.95 ppd Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges Wolfe Publishing Co. Defi nitive book on large calibers from 8mm to.600 Nitro with more than 60 chapters containing load tables and commentary on the guns and cartridges. The best book ever done on big bores! The load information exceeds most reloading manuals and the rifl e reviews give you all the analyses you want. Catalog # SB $26.00 Varmint and Small Game Rifles and Cartridges Wolfe Publishing Co. Newly Revised and Updated! A large-format book with loads, commentary and resources for the less than.40-caliber family. This book tells you what shoots and why, describing the basic principles required for top-notch accuracy in varmint hunting. Wootters, Hagel, Simpson, Carmichel, Venturino and others cover the sport from.17 to Catalog # SB $15.00 Wildcat Cartridges, Combo Edition Wolfe Publishing Co. Wildcatters can t fi nd information as readily as they can in this handy one source book. Volumes I & II combined in this edition to profi le most of the popular and famous wildcats, each representing a small advance in cartridge development, each wedging open the door of progress just a little bit more. Details rifl e and handgun cartridges from the to the.460 Van Horn. A comprehensive work containing reloading tables and commentary, this huge volume is unparalleled anywhere. Catalog # SB $49.00 Master Index Wolfe Publishing Co. Third Edition. Rifl e and Handloader magazines ( ). This convenient reference of articles, columns, authors and subjects is a handy way to research information sources. Catalog # SB $8.00 ON SALE $5.00 Advanced Handloading Beyond the Basics DVD Video Wolfe Publishing Co. UPDATED! Includes All Supplements Redding, Sierra and Wolfe Publishing have teamed up to bring you an advanced handloading DVD. John Barsness hosts this DVD and teaches you how to use advanced tools to make your handloads shoot better. This video covers advanced techniques needed to enhance your ammunition accuracy. Catalog # $

11 Gunsmithing Benchrest Actions & Triggers Stuart Otteson For professional and amateur gunsmiths who plan to build benchrest-quality rifl es, this volume enables the enthusiast to select components from the research and detailed analyses of Stuart Otteson. Complete with drawings, all is explained. Catalog # SB $17.95 The Accurate Muzzle Brake Troy Newlon The ultimate guide to building muzzle brakes. A detailed examination of design and function for building the ultimate muzzle brake. This spiral-bound, 60-page volume is a great addition to your workbench library. Abundantly illustrated, this is the ideal how-to book on muzzle brakes. Catalog # HB $25.00 The Story of Pope s Barrels Ray M. Smith Pope s fi nest work was with muzzleloading, lead bullet, soft steel, low-velocity, single-shot rifl es. This book captures his story and landmarks him as one of the greats of fi rearms development. A classic book of gunmaking history. See what accuracy was accomplished with simple tools. Catalog # HB $39.00 Hunting Trophies and Cartridges Dave Scovill This book offers the reader a potpourri of information on an unusual mix of subjects that is sure to help hunters and shooters. Bullet development, gunsmithing tips for your Colt handguns, thoughts on accuracy, trophy hunting, shooting techniques with iron sights, various rifl e and caliber commentary for various game, leverguns, cast bullets and hunting tips name, just a few of the topics covered. From the author s extensive experience as editor of Rifl e, Handloader and Successful Hunter magazines, this book covers subjects usually not offered by other books, which is the purpose of this unique and valuable presentation. Catalog # SB $24.95 Finn Aagaard Selected Works Finn Aagaard Fans of Finn s writing will be thrilled to fi nd this collection all in one place. His in-depth approach on subjects, written in his impeccable style, allows the reader entertainment and learning in a neat package. He has tales of leopards, how to manage dangerous game, one rifl e/one load, slings in the fi eld, various calibers are covered, killing power myths and, of course, his great African stories, as well as practical chapters. You will love this book, and with its valuable information, it will make a great gift for anyone who enjoys hunting or guns. Catalog # SB $28.95 The Longwalkers: 25 Years of Tracking the Northern Cougar Jerry A. Lewis Trek the snow-covered mountain forests of Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta with the author as he follows cougars/ mountain lions on foot, guided by his keen hounds. Written by a man who truly understands and appreciates the cougar s ways. Catalog # SB $24.95 Tales of Alaska s Big Bears Jim Rearden Gripping accounts of the most frightening encounters with Alaska s big bears. Told in Rearden s unique factual style, he takes you on a journey about Alaska s bears with tales of how people live and die in the 49th state with the world s largest land carnivore. Catalog # SB $ Days in Africa DVD Wolfe Publishing Co. Join Dave Scovill on his exciting hunting adventures pursuing Cape buffalo and magnifi cent plains game of the Okavango Delta in Botswana with a Winchester Model BPE. Catalog # $

12 Magazines on Digital Media 40 Years of Handloader Magazine on DVD ROM Wolfe Publishing Company The most valuable resource for the shooting community is now available at the click of your computer mouse! That s right, access all the detailed technical information from the number one authority in the shooting sports in 40 years of publishing. That s 238 issues! From issue Number 1 (May 1966) to issue Number 238 (December 2005), that s over 20,000 pages of information on 20 DVDs of high-resolution, printable fi les. All fi les are searchable; word search shows exact sentence or phrase. Simply pop in a DVD and it automatically opens with easy-to-read graphics. Click on a cover and open any issue. Fully functional menus! The information is timeless, and there is no other source worldwide that can offer this much technical knowledge in one place. Catalog # HLDVD $ Subscriber Price: $ (For Computer Use Only) Rifle The Complete Years on DVD ROM Wolfe Publishing Company The most valuable resource for the shooting community is now available at the click of your computer mouse! That s right, access all the detailed technical information from the number one authority in the shooting sports. That s 228 issues! From issue Number 1 (January 1969) to issue Number 228 (November 2006) that s over 19,000 pages of information on 20 DVDs of high-resolution, printable fi les. All fi les are searchable; word search shows exact sentence or phrase. Simply pop in a DVD and it automatically opens with easy-to-read graphics. Click on a cover and open any issue. Fully functional menus! Catalog # HLRIDVD Catalog # RIDVD $ Subscriber Price: $ COMBO PRICE: $ (For Computer Use Only) Rifle One Year Subscription: $19.97 Handloader One Year Subscription: $22.97 Successful Hunter One Year Subscription: $19.97 Handloader Magazine Binder & Rifle Magazine Binder Preserve your Handloader and Rifl e magazines in sturdy, handsome and practical black-grained binders. Organize 12 issues to make an attractive addition to your library. These are heavy-duty binders you ll be proud to use. Handloader Catalog # $25.00 Rifle Catalog # $25.00 *While Supplies Last... Get a FREE Master Index ( ) with the purchase of 2 or more Handloader or Rifle binders! SAVE ON COMBO Rifle & Handloader Single Issues on CD ROM Wolfe Publishing Company Every issue of Rifl e and Handloader magazine are available in high resolution format on CD Rom. Older rare issues that have been sold out for years are now available. Each issue is searchable for that issue and preserves the original layout of each magazine. One Single Issue on CD ROM $5.95 (For Computer Use Only) Rifle & Handloader One-Year on DVD ROM Wolfe Publishing Company Magazines & More Missing a year or two of our magazines? Now you can purchase any year of Rifl e or Handloader magazine on DVD ROM. Each year has a searchable index so you can search the entire year. One Full Year on DVD ROM $19.95 (For Computer Use Only)

13 Classic Books on Digital Media Casting Premium Bullets for the BPCR - CD ROM Paul A. Matthews Takes the reloader beyond the casting of bullets for plinking with small bore rifl es or handguns into the realm of big-bore top-of-the-line bullets for competitive long-range accuracy. This is the entire book in pdf format on CD-ROM. Catalog # CD $19.95 Wind Drift and Deceleration of the Cast Bullet at Black Powder Velocities - CD ROM Paul A. Matthews Learn the facts that help reduce wind drift to become a better shooter or cast bullets at black powder velocities. This is the entire book in pdf format on CDROM Catalog # CD $19.95 The Bolt Action Rifle I & II by Stuart Otteson - CD ROM Author Stuart Otteson explores the original records and the bolt-action rifl es themselves to reveal the fi ne nuances of many popular bolt-action mechanisms. The drawings exemplify the study; they were done by working from the guns, not factory drawings, old blueprints or catalogs. Few draftsmen have so clearly and economically delineated fi rearms mechanisms. The design facts collected and interpreted by Otteson are likewise his, taken directly from the guns. You will fi nd in this book such things as lock times, spring rates and cam angles. There is also considerable historical content. Most of it is based on the record of patents, again personally researched by the author. For the modern actions, the historical recitation is based on the public record and on the recollections and statements of the men who did the design work. Catalog # $24.95 Gibbs Cartridges - CD ROM The Gibbs line of wildcat cartridges has aroused curiosity since the mid-1960s. Handloaders expound and argue the velocity claims and cartridge designs of Rocky Gibbs. Other than this book, only tidbits of information are available. Gibbs had developed his interest in handloading while a member of the Richmond, California, Rod and Gun Club. His competitive nature led to an intense desire to produce a cartridge that was bigger, better, faster and more complete than any other. He was severely criticized for his cartridge case design. Nearly everyone complained about the minimum length of the case necks. Gibbs was also accused of infl ating the Gibbs cartridge velocities. He never gave in or broke down in the face of these ongoing controversies. He was willing to risk his reputation to prove he had maximized the available space in a case. Whether he accomplished his goal of producing the fi nest cartridge available is up to each handloader to decide. When it comes to velocity, a Gibbs chambered rifl e with a standard barrel makes a magnum with a short barrel just another rifl e. Catalog # $19.95 Firearms Pressure Factors - CD ROM This book is a comprehensive examination of a variety of factors primer, case, shape and weight of the bullet, seating depth, powder burning rate, chamber dimensions and the condition of the barrel that are investigated in an in-depth study of the velocity and pressure curves. It s a fascinating journey into mysteries of internal ballistics in rifl es, shotguns and handguns. Catalog # $19.95 The Art of Bullet Casting Collection - DVD ROM Art of Bullet Casting Bullet Making Annual Vol. I & II Cast Bullet Sp. Ed. How-to s for casting bullets. A collection of articles taken from years of Handloader and Rifl e covering the basics to more advanced techniques. Get technical and accurate with your casting and swaging. Catalog # $25.00 The Bullet s Flight CD ROM Franklin W. Mann This monumental work by Dr. Franklin W. Mann details his experiments with rifl es and ammunition. You will be pleased with the level of detail, pictures and other investigations. Loaded with great historical as well as modern technical information, it s a unique and classic addition to any reloader s library. Catalog # $19.95 (All books on CD/DVD are for computer use only.)

14 The reloading manual that grows and is constantly updated. You will never need to buy another printed manual; loads are entered daily into our database. You can search by caliber, bullet weight, powder type or a combination of all three. You must go to the website to subscribe. A free binder is included with your subscription. Visit Rifle Loony Hat Wolfe Publishing Co. John Barsness coined the phrase Rifl e Loony. Now you can show that you are a rifl e loony (which is a play on words). Not only do you love Rifl e magazine but you love rifl es as well. This hat sports a high quality camo pattern with high thread count stitching for the logo. Catalog # Hat Rifle SB $19.95 Targets Elk and Mule Deer Targets Place this these targets out to 100 yards for a life-size 200-yard look. All vitals are outlined to help measure your accuracy. Whether you are sighting in a new rifl e or checking zero on an old favorite, these targets will come in handy for any hunter. Practice different shooting positions to improve on your abilities. Elk Target Catalog # E $3.00 ea. 2 for $ for $10.00 Mule Deer Target Catatog # M $3.00 ea. 2 for $ for $10.00 Targets with a Twist Handgun and Rifle Targets The staff of Handloader and Rifl e magazines developed two targets for precision shooting with rifl es, iron-sighted handguns and scoped guns. With the unique color, bullseye and grid, your target work is sure to improve! With the unique grid design sighting in handguns and rifl es has never been easier. Targets come in handy pad form. Rifle Targets Catalog # 552.R $4.95 (1 pad, 20 targets) Handgun Targets Catalog # 552.H $4.95 (1 pad, 20 targets) Combo Targets Catalog # 552.C $4.95 (1 pad, 10 rifl e & 10 handgun) 100 Targets Catalog # $15.95 (5 pads any combination) WOLFE PUBLISHING COMPANY Wolfe Bucks Good for $10 toward any Wolfe product. Subscription or renewal not applicable. Does not include shipping. Limit one per customer. LoadData.com 3-Ring Binder File your favorite pet loads from our LoadData.com database in this handy 3-ring, 3-inch binder. Catalog # $12.50 Good for $10 toward any Wolfe product. Subscription or renewal not applicable. Does not include shipping. Limit one per customer. Wolfe Bucks

15 Effect The of Shrinking Guns Charles E. Petty Photos by Bob Maddox Handgun H purchasers, especially those who wish to carry concealed, often want the smallest, lightest gun they can find. That choice is sure to have a price that might not always be in the buyer s favor. As weight goes down, recoil always goes up, and shootability in human terms almost always decreases. When we shrink a gun, the barrel length and grip are reduced, and conventional wisdom equates reduction in accuracy with shorter barrels. We always hear people announce their favorite blaster as the best carry gun, and that is fine, but those choices have little basis in any objective set of values. Our idea was to look at factors we could measure and really see the effect of barrel length, size and weight. It is no secret that Mr. Browning s 1911 has been my handgun of choice for a long time, and it also offers a wide variety of barrel lengths and weights within the same basic design, so we can somewhat stick to comparing apples and apples. Both steel and aluminum frames are common, and barrel lengths from the standard 5 inches down to Kimber s Ultra models with 3.17-inch barrels. For these comparisons I chose to use Kimber s Custom 5-inch full size, Pro 4-inch and Ultra models with both steel and alloy frames. In the past I have attempted to evaluate recoil by asking shooters to report their perception as they fired a series of unknown loads. Those efforts failed because even skilled shooters feel recoil differently and more than once a relatively new shooter reported a load known to have the most recoil as having the least. So this time free recoil energy was calculated using the formula found in the NRA Firearms Fact Book that requires only a scale and a chronograph. So while we can t measure how recoil will feel to anyone, we can see how weight and velocity differences are reflected and have an objective basis for comparison Handloader 262

16 Midsize to Mini 1911s October-November

17 Shrinking Guns One interesting question to answer is whether or not the reduction in velocity that comes with making barrels shorter is offset in any way by reductions in weight due to a smaller frame or the use of a lighter alloy. One thing that has always puzzled me is why shooters make such a big deal over a relatively small reduction in weight that ends up increasing recoil by a larger percentage. With the growing right to carry a concealed weapon we see shooters new and old buy the The other place for shrinkage is barrel length. smallest, lightest gun they can with little regard to the practicalities of that choice. Surely some of that must come from the fact that we have been told over and over that longer barrels are harder to conceal and that the butt of the gun must be shrunk so it won t print under our clothing. Both of those are pretty bogus reasons if we make good choices on how we carry the gun. Since Charlie tested a variety of 1911 guns. we re using the 1911 platform as an example, we can easily measure length, height and thickness. Actually that one doesn t matter, since they re all the same, but we do have some control over the others. The controllable variable in height really boils down to magazine capacity and having something to hang onto. The marketplace seems to have decreed that a sacrifice of one round is acceptable, so the standard magazine capacity goes from seven to six or, thanks to better followers, eight to seven. At that, most of us can get three fingers on the grip, but if it were any shorter, it would become a twofinger deal and, considering the recoil of the.45 ACP, perhaps not enough of a handle. The other place for shrinkage is barrel length, and here we have more room but really only forward of the magazine well. The size of the cartridge and Browning s fire control mechanism have fairly well fixed the space to the rear. But the tilting barrel design also imposes some limits, because the barrel has to go up and down, and the bushing can be a limiting factor. The bushing for the Colt Commander is about half as long as the 5-inch gun s, but the inch Commander length barrel is about as short as you can go and keep a bushing. For that reason many of the compact designs today have gone to a bull barrel configuration that does away with the bushing and uses some variation of a captive recoil spring and guide. Three different barrels are representative of different size pistols. A full-size Custom Target is shown with an Eclipse Ultra compact. 96

18 There have been more than a few attempts to micro-size the 1911 with varying degrees of success, and I have tested several examples. The early efforts had some feed/function issues that were largely magazine related. Since the slide travel is reduced considerably, the magazine has to get the fresh round in place very smartly or the slide will not strip the cartridge. You can easily see what I m talking about by locking the slide back and observing the distance from the breech face to the back of the magazine well. In a full-size gun, you can clearly see the whole disconnector, and there is about 0.3-inch clearance. With the 3- inch barreled gun, this distance is mere thousandths of an inch, and no part of the disconnector is visible. Kimber is using a ramped barrel to improve feeding on the Ultra models that is not used on the others. For the 4- inch barrel, the slide stops just over the disconnector. Only the The test setup included a Ransom Rest, a PACT chronograph and the target system. Grips are removed to mount the guns in the Ransom Pistol Rest inch Kimbers used here had any problem, and each gun experienced one stoppage in over 250 total rounds of shooting. There were no malfunctions at all in a like amount of shooting with the 4- and 5-inch guns. While the results of the recoil calculations (shown in Table I) were reasonable, the 4-inch gun threw a curve ball into the math. As with any energy calculation, velocity plays a major part in the snappier feel and with the 4-inch gun somewhere in between. None were unpleasant to shoot, although I think a long session with the little gun might stop being fun after awhile. To test reliability, 200 rounds were fired through each of the pistols, 100 each of Black Hills 230-grain full metal jackets (FMJ) and 230-grain jacketed hollowpoints (JHP). While I retain my dislike for ultra compact setups There have been more than a few attempts to micro-size the result, so the 40 fps loss of velocity between the 5- and 4-inch guns actually resulted in a free recoil energy result that was slightly lower than the full-size pistol. As a practical matter they were the same. Actually the same effect was seen between the 4- and 3.17-inch pistols, and much to my surprise, the differences in weight and velocity effectively canceled out. But when shooting the guns, the character of the felt recoil was noticeably different with the 3-inch guns having a Table I in 1911 pistols, I found my attitude softening a bit. The shorter frame simply doesn t feel right to me, but I shot it pretty well. Maybe I have become genetically adapted to Mr. Browning s original and want no other. Kimber Recoil Comparison free gun recoil handgun weight energy (pounds) (ft-lbs) Classic Target 5-inch steel Custom CDP II 5-inch alloy Pro TLE II 4-inch steel Pro CDP II 4-inch alloy Eclipse Ultra II 3.17-inch steel Ultra CDP II 3.17-inch steel

19 Shrinking Guns The Pro series Kimber is an example of how the 4-inch barrel is turned to eliminate the bushing. The Kimber Ultra series shows the difference in the 3.17-inch barrel. I do feel strongly that the reductions in size offer little or no benefit when it comes to concealing the pistol. For quite awhile now my standard carry piece has been a Commander-size gun in a Mitch Rosen IWB holster (mitchrosen.com). I changed from a lightweight to a steelframe pistol some years ago and really see no difference. Conventional wisdom tells us that alloy frames are not as durable as steel. That may well be true, but very few real-world guns get shot enough to challenge them. It is true that slides cannot be fitted as tightly on alloy frames, but since they are unlikely to be fully accurized that doesn t make much difference. The rigidity of alloys is also questioned, and here we are able to make a direct comparison. Bear in mind that we cannot judge all guns based on the result of a single specimen, but my tests did not reveal any meaningful difference in accuracy between like guns with steel versus alloy frames. We have to be careful and avoid jumping to conclusions not supported by data. Guns are individ- Conventional wisdom tells us that alloy frames are not as durable as steel. Table II Accuracy Results standard extreme groups bullet velocity deviation spread average (grains) (fps) (fps) (inches) (inches) Custom Target II, 5-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Custom CDP II 5-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Pro TLE II 4-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Pro CDP II 4-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Eclipse Ultra II 3.17-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Ultra CDP II 3.17-inch barrel: 230 Black Hills FMJ Black Hills JHP Notes: Accuracy results are 10-shot groups at 25 yards from a Ransom Rest. Velocity is the instrumental average of 30 shots at 12 feet measured with a PACT Professional chronograph. Be Alert Publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in published load data Handloader 262

20 These three photos were taken with the recoil spring removed and the slide positioned manually for illustration left to right: 5-, 4- and inch barrels. uals, even those bearing the same make and model name, and so are barrels. One thing I can promise is that if you duplicate these tests, you will get different results. We might reach the same conclusions, but then again we might not. This data suggests that there is a small accuracy loss going from 5 inches to 4, and a more significant loss, around 20 percent, for the 3.17-inch barrel. However, we are not talking about target pistols here, and all are totally capable of dealing with a normal defensive encounter. This experience has softened my prejudice against the smallest guns a little, but honestly the only reason they exist is because the public demanded them. Had we not been told we needed the smallest/lightest gun they could find, we d be happy as clams with Colt s Commander or, better still, Mr. Browning s original. Some years ago S&W s chief engineer was explaining how they had done an ergonomics study to look at grip angles. We spent over $100,000 to learn what John Browning knew intuitively. Genius trumps money all the time. October-November