Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

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Here is an example of the rock guards seen on locomotives. If you look at the front cab windows you'll see the guards over the windows, there are also guards for the side and rear windows on the cab. All US railroads now require any of their locomotives being used in Mexico to have these while in country, usually the guards are magnetic mount. Once back in the US the guards are removed from US owned locos (but occasionally you do see some with the guards still left on) but since PTC (Positive Train Control) is not required in Mexico, and their locos are not equipped with it so they are not used as leaders but as trailing power or seen here as a distributed power unit (DPU) at the end of the train, the guards are left on. FXE 4024 here is an EMD SD70ACe sporting the most recent paint scheme from Ferromex.

466046914_2276362912748471_6719338988677974448_n.jpg
 
Here is an example of the rock guards seen on locomotives. If you look at the front cab windows you'll see the guards over the windows, there are also guards for the side and rear windows on the cab. All US railroads now require any of their locomotives being used in Mexico to have these while in country, usually the guards are magnetic mount. Once back in the US the guards are removed from US owned locos (but occasionally you do see some with the guards still left on) but since PTC (Positive Train Control) is not required in Mexico, and their locos are not equipped with it so they are not used as leaders but as trailing power or seen here as a distributed power unit (DPU) at the end of the train, the guards are left on. FXE 4024 here is an EMD SD70ACe sporting the most recent paint scheme from Ferromex.

View attachment 1219217
Getto ride 😆.
 
My '79 in '86. Fond memories :)

View attachment 1218799

The only thing I rebuilt on it was the rear chassis and replaced the cam.
That reminds me, another one of our buddies had a nice 81(iirc) Z28, sweet ride. He had an ole Cordoba with a 400 before the Z28, it would just float down the expressway at high speeds lol.
Back then all the speeds here were lower.
 
That reminds me, another one of our buddies had a nice 81(iirc) Z28, sweet ride. He had an ole Cordoba with a 400 before the Z28, it would just float down the expressway at high speeds lol.
Back then all the speeds here were lower.
Small world. When I had the '79 Camaro, a neighbor had a '80 Cordoba, like this one (iirc).
1980-chrysler-cordoba.jpeg
 
I hear that. There was a point where I didn't even bother to reload .223/5.56, 9mm, or 38spl. Just bought 1k bulk packs for range sessions. Now it's definitely flipped again. Only good thing is I keep all my brass so I have loads of casings laying around.
The primer thing really irritates me. Have the same issues around here. Hopefully things will settle down after the new administration gets in office.
Thanks! Hopefully I'll have a few more loads to show off over the next few weeks.
If anyone is close to Donegal in SWPA and hurting for primers / powder I may be able to help out.
 
Looks like Cabela's currently has Remington Large Rifle primers available.

Large rifle primers have been hard to find for a few years now. When I find them, I buy in bulk (but no, I don't resell them). The Hazmat fee is the same no matter how many you buy, and if your order is big enough you may get free shipping.

Early last year I picked up 2K Magnum large rifle primers, and after that I picked up 3K regular large rifle primers. The regular ones were available on a Sat night and gone by Sunday morning! Sometimes, you just have to strike when the iron is hot. I have become less finicky on brand, as you have to get what is available, and most major brands seem to perform about the same.

I think I'll be set for primers for a while now! I was not "out", I just did not like using what I could not replace! I reload for myself, my brother, my nephew, my daughter and 2 grandsons, my niece and her two sons, etc., so I can go through a fair amount fast.

When Matt (and others) get a new gun, I'm often the one who sights it in and does the load "experimentation" to see what shoots well. (Everything from his Model 95 in 405 to his Weatherby in 25-06). You need a supply of various powders, bullets and primers on hand to do this stuff. It helps that I have access to the Fish & Game club range.
My .300winmag, my Stainless 30-06 m70

Still need your expertise on my .300savage!

And then we’ll work on the 25-35, see if you can get it better than 2in. I’m pulling my hair out on that one. That’s why Cailey sports the .243 now

One day, I’ll have to visit and get the first hand experience so I can close the gap on my 3years into it and your decades of experience
 
Yup 327 Im having a 350 rebuilt for it this winter . The 327 is very tired and the guides are most likely shot truck has 175k on it the motor was rebuilt at around 90k .I am having it rebuilt when I put the 350 in Won’t know if they bored it until it gets torn down . Large journal 327s with correct date codes are getting hard to find
They sure are!

My brother in-law has one torn down in his garage. He’ll only part with it when he is 6ft under
 
My .300winmag, my Stainless 30-06 m70

Still need your expertise on my .300savage!

And then we’ll work on the 25-35, see if you can get it better than 2in. I’m pulling my hair out on that one. That’s why Cailey sports the .243 now

One day, I’ll have to visit and get the first hand experience so I can close the gap on my 3years into it and your decades of experience
It starts with research (any load data or recommendations from companies or individuals or articles). Hodgdon Reloading Data is my primary source and is free online.

Based on this information, I try to identify one or more good powders, hopefully that I already have. I often look to find a powder that will provide near maximum velocity at less pressure than other powders in that cartridge. That allows me to start near maximum velocity with less worry. In recent years, I have also been shifting to powders that I can "throw" accurately, instead of weighing every charge (like using H-380 instead of IMR-4350). This saves me a lot of time, and these powders are also often less expensive.

My current favorite powders:

223 - H335
30-30 - LVR
308 - CFE223
270 WSM and 348 (250 gr bullet) StaBALL6.5
30-06 and 338-06 - H380

Next is picking a bullet and determining the correct seating depth. The magazine may be the limiting factor, but if not, I usually try to load the bullet as far out as possible w/o touching the rifling. I start by seating the bullet long, then keep going a bit shorter till the bolt closes easily. I have never found it necessary to crimp bullets, even in my lever guns, so I don't. If your dies are good, your bullet should not move under recoil.

Next is going to the range and seeing how it shoots. If good I go with it, if not I try changing the powder charge, or the bullet, or the cartridge length. Some guns prefer a max (or near max) charge, others get best accuracy with a slightly reduced charge. You will not know till you experiment. Since I'm looking for hunting loads (not target loads) I will usually change the powder charge 1/2 grain at a time and like to use round #s whenever possible. But sometimes, especially when close to max loads, I will go with tenths.

So basically, it is just common sense and hard work! (Adjusting dies and determining if your gun likes full length or neck sizing is a whole new discussion)

You should ALWAYS ensure that your ammo fits and feed right in your magazine, and that it chambers easily and smoothly in your gun. The ammo I load is specific for each individual rifle, not just for any rifle of that caliber.

You may recall last year I reloaded for 3 different 30-06 rifles, and each one preferred something different (all had barrels with 1 in 10 twist).

My Rugar American Rifle shoots very well (and to the same point of aim) with 58 gr of IMR 4350 over a magnum primer w/168 gr Barnes TTSX or 57 gr H-380 (standard primer) and 165 gr Speer BT.

Your Dad's pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight preferred the charge reduced to 56 grains of H-380. It shot both bullets well, but groups were about 2" apart, so we just loaded the Barnes TTSX bullets.

Your post-64 Model 70 Stainless did not like the Barnes bullets but shot the Speer 165 grain BT well with 56.5 gr of H-380.

All 3 of these rifles will be going up with us tomorrow. Your Dad will be using his Featherweight, your nephew will be using your Stainless and my Ruger American Rifle will be a backup rifle in case anyone has any problems.
 
I have also been shifting to powders that I can "throw" accurately, instead of weighing every charge
I also try to use ball power when I can. One thing, when working with 6mm Rem and 22-250 I found necking closer to the lands would make the bullet strike higher. Every caliber and chambering has a sweet spot for bullet weight, speed, and bullet drop like 22-250 is 55g bullet weight, 222/223 50g, 6mm Rem and 243 win is 85g. 25-06 100g.

The ballistic advantage of matching bullet weight and speed in a caliber for flat trajectory is where I normally start. I look for a bullet weight and performance that best fits the game I am hunting. My favorites have always been nosler solid base, you could shoot a lighter bullet for better trajectory and get the same performance that you get with a heavier weight bullet.
 
I bought primers as well as powder several years ago whenever I saw them on sale. I just looked and still have 15k of all types on the shelf. I have several 8lb kegs of Promo I bought when they were on sale for under $100. Seems expensive at the time but pull the trigger if you see them for a reasonable price, nothing is going to get cheaper I'm afraid.
I meant to say I have 15k of each type of primers. SPP, SPM,SRP, SLP. Not so many shotgun but still a couple of sleeves of Cheddite I saw for a good price on sale online somewhere. I just started loading shotgun so that Promo is going to come in handy.
 
Always reminds me of Ricardo


I drove a white 1992 New Yorker for a couple years. Mine had an all blue interior with plush velour upholstery. That was the epitome of 90s big three "luxury". Drove like a boat but it sure was nice on the highway. Popped my favorite cassette in the radio and just cruised.
 
I also try to use ball power when I can. One thing, when working with 6mm Rem and 22-250 I found necking closer to the lands would make the bullet strike higher. Every caliber and chambering has a sweet spot for bullet weight, speed, and bullet drop like 22-250 is 55g bullet weight, 222/223 50g, 6mm Rem and 243 win is 85g. 25-06 100g.

The ballistic advantage of matching bullet weight and speed in a caliber for flat trajectory is where I normally start. I look for a bullet weight and performance that best fits the game I am hunting. My favorites have always been nosler solid base, you could shoot a lighter bullet for better trajectory and get the same performance that you get with a heavier weight bullet.
The old Nosler solid base used to be my favorite, but when they went with ballistic tips they got too soft (IMO).

I find the Barnes copper bullets to be very dependable. Never got the original TSX to shoot well but had much better luck with the TTSX in 30-06, 300 Win Mag and in my 338-06. My 270 WSM likes the 129 grain Barnes LRX, which has a VG BC. I also like that they don't ruin as much meat as many conventional bullets. Was able to salvage a lot more backstrap from last years Buck shot with the 338-06 because of that.
 

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