As the title states, I own and healthy amount of bullet molds to feed my airguns. Not only are the manufacturers and calibers different but, the types of metals they are made of also vary. They are Brass, Steel/Iron and Aluminum. I have owned even more but have since sold some of them and the guns they were for. Such as my Jack Haley 457 and its bullet molds and the molds for my Corsair+ .308 when it was in .308 cal and also a few 7mm molds. Lets also not forget that these molds are for Powder Burners and can be used for airguns as long as the cast bullets are properly slugged for your guns bore (same with PB's also). Even though I have trimmed down my mold collection to the very necessary only, I will be buying more soon......lol!
WHY CAST BULLETS: Without getting into to much technical jargon, a cast bullet provides more downrange energy via its weight and higher BC/SD (ballistic coefficient/sectional density) than a pellet. So what does that all mean in layman's terms. It means that once you find the most accurate cast bullet for your airgun (s), it will allow you to hunt bigger game than one normally would with a airgun and it allows you to take FURTHER shots. Not only on game but also on targets whether it be paper, steel or reactive targets. The debate of head shots often comes up and to answer that quickly, any projectile of a decent weight and shape can penetrate the skull/brain of most game. Even big game. But you are seriously pushing the envelope. I will leave that at that. But with a cast bullet, the extra weight and SD allows you to make not only head shots but it allows you to make body shots which is what is most presentable on game. In other words, for the majority of HUNTING shots, its easier to hit the vitals in the body than it is to hit the brain on a head bobbing animal. Moving on to target shooting, a cast bullet in a powder burner or an airgun allows you to save money. Target copper bullets (for PB's) are expensive and so are match grade pellets (for Airguns). Cast bullets are very cost effective and are proving to make some really tight groups far down range at further ranges than what a Diablo pellet is capable of. Many a cast bullet in my arsenal are providing MOA and LESS at extended ranges out to over 400 yards!
THE MOLDS:
ARSENAL MOLDS 257388 85.5 gr (1% TIN)-.257 cal
LBT 285130 130 gr-7mm
LEE Precision (Lee) 7mm 130 gr SOUPCAN
ARSENAL MOLDS 2574520 Boattail 71 gr (1% TIN)-.257 cal
LBT (Lead Bullet Technology) 258 90 gr. LFN-.257 cal
LEE PRECISION (LEE) .379 cal 250 gr FP-.375 cal
ACCURATE MOLDS 360109 BBT (Bob's Boattail)-.357 cal
NOE Bullet Molds 288132 FP-7mm
LEE Precision .358 cal 105 gr SWC
RCBS .458 cal 300 gr FP
These are just SOME of my current and past bullet molds that have provided years of casting service and enjoyment and cost savings. If you are a shooter of any discipline, you can seriously benefit from casting your own slugs. There is such a sense of satisfaction when you take time to create a projectile that puts hole in hole in targets downrange or ring that long distance steel plate or take that once of a life time game animal. If you own a small, med or big bore airgun (even powderburner), I urge you to give bullet casting a try. It just goes with the hobby.
1st, N.U.A.H. means "NOTHIN UNDA A HUNERD" which in layman's terms means no game taken under a 100 yards by an air gun. It's also meant to show what's being done by airguns whether they shoot pellets or bullets, what can be accomplished past 100 yards whether its GAME or REACTIVE, or PAPER TARGET, so forth and so on.
Which brings us to this post. While there is no video for this one (again....lol), there is a story. While out today TESTING my abilities and my guns abilities, I decided to call it a day and head home. Well, on the way, I decided to stop at the same local I just recently killed a Coyote at 120 yards with the TD257 using Neilson Specialty Ammo (post just below this 1). I noted that there where more rabbits in this area (6) since I killed that large male Yote last. As soon as I arrived, I spot 2 Jack Rabbits that where separated by a ways and both under (UNDA) bushes/brush. Both were about 130 yards away and I decided to go for a double. Well, while setting up my camera and filling my gun, I spook one of them and that rabbit decided to run. DAMN BLEED VALVE NOISE! Well, that rabbit ran for a ways. Almost another 100 yards and stops cold. Once it stops, it sits on its haunches and looks around for whatever it was that spooked it (me and my noise). I quickly range the bush that's right next to the rabbit and VOILA.......214 yards my Leupold rangefinder sais! At this time, I set the rangefinder on the ground and put the cross hairs on the rabbits chest remembering that 205 yards (100 yard sight in) with this round and a full fill and at 3500' altitude is at 6 HASH marks on my SWFA 12x42 scope. THIS IS A RANGE I AM VERY COMFORTABLE SHOOTING AT as I do it every weekend. LITERALLY! 110-205-435 yards are my comfort zones with this air gun and the TD257.
I gently squeeze the trigger while holding dead on the rabbits chest. About >1 second later, I was kindly rewarded with a THWOCK sound that all us air-gunners come to know as a direct hit. I could see the dirt behind the rabbit also kick up which notified me of a complete pass through. But that was NO SURPRISE! I then saw the rabbit lay down and kick and twitch a lil bit. SUCCESS! A DIRECT HIT! Amazing to me that the impact was so audible from so far away. You would think I would be used to it by now but it still excites me as it means a HIT!
The bullet (1% Tin) enters the chest and exits the hind quarters completely blowing the hip joint apart. The damage was extensive also to the abdomen. So much so, the pic of the quarry had to be taken from the animals backside.
2nd, shooting long range with any type of gun is exciting to me and always will be. I've been doing it since I was a tyke. But when using an air gun, it brings about a joy that isn't the same as doing it with a powder burner. This is 1 of the challenges of using airguns and its VERY rewarding. Airguns have less power and less extreme long range accuracy than PB's. This is why it's so rewarding. When everything comes together as you calculated to make a swift kill at some 100-200-300-400+ yards, you can't beat that.
I've said it before and I will continue to say it, the .257 caliber is such a accurate, fun and devastating round for target shooting and hunting. Short or long range. In this story, I will introduce not only the TD257's 3rd coyote but also a new Swage Bullet maker named Nick at Nielson Specialty Ammo.
THE GUN (TD257): For those not familiar already with this air gun, the TD 257 started life as a Airforce Talon .22 caliber airgun. I then bought a 24" .22 cal barrel then switched it shortly thereafter to a .25 cal pellet shooter. Now this is back when the .25 wasn't even popular or in the hands of the general public. After converting to a 24" barrel 25 caliber air gun, I soon bought a Condor valve from Air Force and thoroughly enjoyed the boost in power. Many years later, the gun sat on the garage shelves for many reasons. The main reason being the accuracy was not consistent enough for me. In comes Doug Noble over on the TAG forum and he custom machined my guns internal parts along with the installation of a TJ Enterprises 26-5/8" barrel in .257 caliber. Put all of the above info together and VOILA, I now have what I call the TD .257 (TalonDor .257). Talon frame with a custom "Condor" valve by Mr. Noble with a .257 barrel.
Now, on to the highest praises. With this kill, my absolute love for my air gun confirms why I think the 257 is such a accurate, devastating and fun round while using air power. This rifle has hit a coke can at 446 yards (over a quarter mile) and was what I believe the FIRST to do this. It has scrambled raw eggs sitting on golf tees at 175 yards. It has decimated small colonies of ground squirrels and jack rabbits. It has VIDEO posted half MOA groups at 160 yards. And with this kill, it has now taken 3 coyotes. The 257 continues to impress me after all these years and there is no other small bore air powered round quite like it!
THE AMMO, THE MAN: Now, for those of you that follow me and my AIRVENTURES, you know that with this gun I shoot a variety of self cast slugs. One being the very popular Lyman 257420 which is custom hollow pointed. Every now and again, I get to test new slugs. As of lately, I've had the pleasure of shooting some new to me, SWAGED slugs by Nick at Nielson Specialty Ammo or http://nielsenspecialtyammo.com/. Nick contacted me via one of my favorite air gun forums and offered to send me quantities of .357 and .257 custom swaged slugs. Being a sucker for new ammo, I could not and would not say no. Nick owns a trapping company out of CA and has always been a shooter of various powder burners and used to
reload most ammunition he shot. He got into PCP's when he needed a solution
for putting down animals he trapped. As he got further into Air guns, Nick noted a serious lack in accuracy with over the counter lead ammo for big bore airguns. He started
out casting and then learned about the swagging process which he liked a lot. Diving
right in, he purchased a Corbin hand press to learn the process. Shortly
after he bought a hydraulic press and many dies, punches and related
equipment. Nick spent over a year developing his craft and doing research and testing on various slug designs. I have recently been giving Nick feedback and evaluating his slugs. Which leads me to this kill. Nick recently sent me some 77.3 gr Rebated Boat Tail HP's that I found to have some serious potential and asked him to remake them at 79 gr instead. Being a swagged projectile, the maker quickly has the ability to make the projectiles heavier or lighter by simply adjusting a die. Longer per caliber makes it heavy and the reverse for a shorter bullet. Nick has some pretty exciting ideas for projectiles that show great promise and will be available for retail. I won't let all the cats out of the bag and save future info on his slugs for future post. Lets take a pictorial look at some of the slugs and targets from previous test sessions. These pics show how much time and detail goes into the testing sessions to find out what works. These are not all but just a few:
THE SHOT: I arrived at a location that I haven't been too in over a year but driving by frequently, I had seen a coyote or two and rabbits in the distance before. When I parked my truck, my wife called me as she usually does 1st thing in the morning. As we talked, I exited the truck to start setting up to target shoot. I gathered paper targets and other miscellaneous items I use to target shoot. I hung up with my wife and went to grab one of the 1st Airguns to shoot for the day. On the way around my truck, I quickly spotted 2 coyotes trotting by in the distance. I grabbed the TD257 from the gun case in the back seat and both of the yotes heard me rustling
around in my truck and decided to STOP and see what I was doing. When I removed the gun from its case, I
adjusted the power wheel up to 4-12 (REALLY HIGH FOR MY GUN. NORMALLY IT SITS ON
PW 4-4 USING THE LYMAN 257420's at 1010 fps). As my heart was racing, I grabbed one of the NEW 79 gr
RBT/HP's and quickly slammed it in the gun. I visually ranged the coyote
at 100-110+ yards and decided to hold the cross hairs on top of the bigger coyotes spine and
the 1st lower mil-dot (120 +- yards) on his chest. The 2 coyotes started
trotting off aimlessly and I soon gave them a loud bark! The bigger one stopped and looked in
my direction PERFECTLY broadside. I lost sight on the other yote due to the nearby shrubbery. At this moment, I squeezed the trigger and quickly heard the muzzle bark then the infamous THWACK which sounded like it hit a little bone. At the point of the
shot, I could see the 79 gr RBT HP slug fly and curve right into the coyote in
slow motion. The coyote yelped, spun twice and bit at his shoulder. He then ran up the nearby
hillside and at this point, I thought it was a bad hit and the coyote was
going to get away. I was so extactic to see the whole thing unfold like
a movie, in slow motion. As the coyote ran up the hill, it
stumbled twice and at that point, I knew the coyote had been hit well and it started struggling to keep pace. Soon
after, the coyote fell and tumbled and when it fell, it completely stopped moving RIGHT at
the moment it dropped. It was dead while running. I grabbed my Leupold range finder and ranged the exact bush the coyote was standing right next to at the shot and when I saw "120 yards", I just about yelped as loud as the coyote did......lol! I kept ranging the shot and every time it read, "120". This was the very 1st shot with Nick's 79 gr RBT/HP slugs and at that point, I hadn't even tested them yet. I just
loaded and kept the faith that basically, 2 grains heavier would
somewhat still have the same trajectory as the lighter ones. Needless
to say, the shot hit the coyote in the lungs/heart on its RIGHT shoulder
and exited the LEFT one. The entrance was a very small hole and the exit was about 3/8".
The entrance hole was perfectly placed and square in the shoulder and the exit shoulder had a
exit hole lower than centered due to me shooting slightly downward. I
was hoping the slug stayed in the coyote but it did not. I was planning
on recovering it. To this day, I have yet to recover many slugs from
game animals. Most completely penetrate as this one
did.
Later, I set up my new Caldwell chrony and began to test the same exact bullet for muzzle speed. I was amazed that the slug was traveling 910 fps with the chrony set up 6 feet from the muzzle for 145 FPE! BC is still untested as of yet because the slugs are in their infant state but, being a RBT projectile with a pretty slick ogive, they retained enough downrange fps/fpe to totally penetrate a large male coyotes chest 120 yards away and cause massive trauma! More info on these slugs to come!
Hey folks. Just wanted to drop in a give and update on my Corsair 7mm. I've really been paying some attention to this rifle as opposed to my TD257. On my last update, I epoxied a Carbon Fiber sleeve to the guns barrel and that has worked well. The CF sleeve's intention is to stiffen the barrel to remove any FLEX that is there. The barrel is a Barrel Liner from TJ Enterprises and they come pretty thin. About .562"+. Since Carbon Fiber is as strong or stronger than steel, not only would it add rigidity to the barrel but it would add girth. The CF sleeve did aid in accuracy and consistency but something "SLIGHT" was still amiss. My next thought was to test the gun WITH and WITHOUT its muzzle brake.
Once out to my shooting local, I shot a quick group with the muzzle brake ON. I then shot a group with the muzzle brake OFF and I was soon surprised at how accurate the gun was WITHOUT it. I played around for the rest of the shooting session with the MB off and decided once I got home, I would check it for clipping. Clipping really was NOT my concern but I had to check the theory non the less since clipping with airguns is so common when you have a muzzle brake or shroud attached to the end of the barrel. Once home, I checked the MB and it showed no signs of clipping and the hole in the MB was OVER .320" or so cause its made for a .308 rifle. Still, thinking i could improve things, I opened the hole up. Once I was able to return to my shooting spot, the same test as before was run. A grouping WITH and WITHOUT the MB. WITH the MB, things did improve over the last outing but they still were not better than WITHOUT the MB. I determined simply that the MB had a "BAD" effect on the accuracy of the airgun and it will now be shot WITHOUT a MB. So WITHOUT it is. Hey, it's built for a 308 powder burner so i'm sure with the lower muzzle pressures of the airgun, the base or body of the bullet is affected as it enters, and exits the MB.
The next step I wanted to perform was to install an Aluminum Pillar into the stock that would add more rigidity to the action when mounted in the stock. Its common knowledge that either Glass Bedding or Pillar Bedding aids in the accuracy dept. So why not an airgun? Pillars can be bought from places such as Midway USA and Brownells. See video down below for the process. The results will be posted at a later date when the weather here allows for me to get out and thoroughly test.
With this being a long range airgun, it was time for one of the most anticipated but obvious upgrades. I mean, I already had the SWFA 12x42 MRAD Scope but no high MOA Rings. A call to my buddy Josh Porter at http://www.accuratebigboreairgunammo.com/ got me a set of 30mm SUN OPTICS adjustable rings. These rings are adjustable for windage and elevation and are very cost friendly compared to other brands. About 35 bucks a set. As you can see from the last pic above, I already have about .055" of Elevation in the rear ring and none in the front. These rings allow me to center my scope in all its turret setting for Elevation and Windage and be dead on at 100 yards which is were this gun stays sighted in for. More testing and an update to come on these rings!
In the next session with the Corsair, we will test all the improvements to the gun. Yes, its a lot of things done all at once but they are things I was going to inevitably do anyways.
I set out on this morning in hopes of calling in a Coyote (s) that I have seen roaming around in one of my favorite Jack rabbit locations. As of late, the rabbit numbers have been low. Heck, some days, I only see 1 or 2 which is extremely abnormal for this area. There are Hawks and a Bobcat that live in the area but again, this is nothing new and numbers seemed to be lower than normal judging by past years. So upon setting up and calling for over 20 minutes without as much as a distant glimpse of a yote, I decided that this particular predator hunt is a bust. So I pack up and head to another locale that I normally visit to hunt Jack Rabbits.
So now, I'm driving down a familiar dirt road to park my truck and start the long hike through the vast desert. Upon making the last left turn to park, about 100 yards down that road, I spot some awfully big ears. This is not uncommon as driving through the desert floor will often present you with a set or 2 of big ears from a running Jack Rabbit. Except these ears where not as long and the head of this animal was much BIGGER than a rabbit. The problem is, the sun was glaring right into my face as it was still early in the morning. Roughly 9:15 am. So the sun was still low! I immediately slam on my brakes and start staring at this animal with the intent on identifying exactly what it was. To my surprise, it was a Coyote. A big one! Not only that but, him being in that area is DEFINITELY why i am not seeing any jack rabbits. He was in my FAVORITE spot where I have killed plenty of jacks before.
I then put my truck in park and hop out after grabbing my Air Gun. I knew i did not have time on my side as he was scarely curious as to all my racket with doors slamming and my footsteps mashing into the loose gravel. I did not even turn off my truck I was so frantic. Luckily though, the camera was still mounted to my gun and it was all inside of the case and I was on the Yotes blind side as he could not see me. So all I had to do was to grab it, turn on the camera, hit record and shoot! Upon grabbing the gun, I head to the rear of the truck to use the top of the bed of the truck for bracing. This also kept me hid from the yote. The coyote started trotting off due to my noise but, he was so curious that he stopped broadside to me and looked at me once more to see who and what I was doing. This was his fatal mistake!
The yote was approximately 50 yards from me and when he stopped to take one last look at me, I excitedly put the crosshairs just behind his elbow and quickly pulled the trigger. The shot went high and took out the arteries and nerves just under his spine. The projectile of choice was the infamous Lyman 257420 in HP format that had been modified. I call them MHPs for Modified Hollow Points which mean that I cut shallow slits into the HP mouth to aid in expansion (it does not need any aid BTW). As I glared through the scope, I could tell the yote was hit in the vitals and that he was fighting to stay alive. But it didn't last long. In about 8 seconds, he was DRT!
After taking the yote, I decided that I would go for 1 or 2 Jacks. I told myself that when I got one, I would pack up for the day and go home. The Yote was all I needed but the day was still super early. After spotting a few Jack and missing 2 cleanly, I decided to call it a day and headed back to my truck. As I ventured back to the vehicle, I spotted a big rabbit right at 53 yards and decided to take it. It was a very successful head shot and he was DRT!
All in all, this was a SUPER day and one of my best so far. Not only
was the weather beautiful but I managed to LUCKILY stumble upon a Yote
and a Jack.
On this adventure, I was invited to a meet and greet with fellow airgun hunters/shooters by Baxter Walton over on the GTA forum. GTA stands for Gateway To Airguns and the forum has a vast database on everything AIRGUN. From hunting to target shooting to gear to general socializing. This meet was conceived by fellow airgunner Baxter Walton or BWALTON and was put together for all of us to get together and talk airguns, camping, hunting, target shooting and life in general. It was a meet and greet sorta event with Ground Squirrel hunting being the primary focus. Overnight camping was also an option as Baxter and Dale camped out Saturday afternoon/night. Myself and Napoleon would arrive there Sunday morning as you will soon see in the video. Not very many members showed as promised (RSVP).
THE HUNTING GROUNDS
THE MEET:Well, only 4 of us participated and that was fine with me. It was Baxter, Dale, Napoleon and Myself. As explained earlier, Dale and Baxter spent the night so theywere already at the campsite. Napoleon and myself showed up Sunday morning with me arriving 1st. After arriving, I was greeted by Dale and Baxter and it already felt like I had known them previously. We talked for a while and kept hoping more folks were gonna show then up comes Napoleon. Napoleon, Dale and Baxter hunt together all the time with each other and they have their own personal hunting crew. Napoleon then shows up and we meet and greet also. It was like i had hunted with them a few times already and that's a great feeling when you are just meeting someone for the 1st time. After we all talked for a while, we decide to pack up from the camp site and head out to do some early morning hunting.
THE GUNS:We didn't spend too much time talking guns and gear and such nor did we spend a lot of time on each others guns. But, I brought along the TD257, Baxter had a customers HATSAN 25 that he customized, Napoleon brought along his very nice looking and quiet Evanix Rainstorm .25 that was tuned and shrouded by Will Piatt and Dale brought along some Daystate 22's and a couple other guns. As it figured, I was the only cast bullet shooter or the other guys were the only pellet shooters.....lol!
THE HUNT:After we leave the Camp Grounds, we head up into the mountain range and we stop to glass the area. It was also a chance for me to take a look at the surrounding mountain range and to do some preliminary videography. Baxter decided that since I was new to the area, i should team up with either himself or Napoleon, both which are very familiar with the area. Baxter and Dale decide to team up and Baxter sent me with Napoleon. We then pack up and head to our 1st locale in which Baxter exits his truck and immediately spots a ground squirrel at 255 sitting atop a gigantic rock formation. Baxter gives me the 1st shot as I'm the GUEST as he put it. I had not properly sighted in at this locale since going on my last outting elsewhere but I trusted in my gun and how well I knew it. So, I stalk to within 138 yards and decided that this is "THE" distance from which I will take my shot. After a few fair misses, I soon learn my POI/POA and make scope adjustments accordingly. I was shooting 2" high and 2" to the right. The squirrel also moved from his original location to a new one due to those nasty .257 cal BUMBLE BEES flying over his head......lol! 1 sting and your a goner. On the next shot, I give the squirrel shoulder as many crosshair/mildot points as I could spare knowing that if I were just a little off, I would either hit the head, the heart, the lungs or the spine. I aimed for the base of the neck where it meets the shoulders and THWACK, it was a solid 138 yard shot. IN THE EYE!
10 minutes later, a GS that my GS was playing with earlier came out of the same rock formation and started running towards Napoleon and I like it wanted revenge or something. 138 yards and counting (DOWN). The squirrel reached another small rock formation that was 71 yards from Napoleon and I and it was Napoleon's turn to shoot. The squirrel disappeared into the formation for a minute or two then came up. I told Napoleon that the squirrel was headed for the highest rock and that he should get ready. Sure enough, the squirrel appears and I start rolling film and ranging for Napoleon. I then re-ranged the GS for Napoleon and it was again right at 71 yards. But this time, the left to right breeze had picked up slightly. As the squirrel crested the rock, Napoleon and his Evanix made the 71 yard shot look pretty simple. SUCCESS! We had 2 in the bag at this point. After retrieving the GS and snapping some video/pictures, Napoleon and I find Dale and Baxter and decided head back to the campsite to do lunch. But not before we had a small talk about our success the start of that morning. We soon find out Baxter shot a ground squirrel also.
So now, after lunch, Myself, Baxter and Napoleon decide to go back out for part 2 of the days hunting adventure. Dale opted out due to his extremely long drive back home. So it was Myself, Baxter and Napoleon at this point. Baxter goes out by himself and Napoleon takes me to another good spot of his. We venture out to this area and it was beautiful and down in a shallow valley. Upon arriving, we sit, take out our binoculars and within like 20 seconds, Napoleon sais, "I see one", "he is 88 yards directly in front of us sitting and some dead shrub branches". I pull up my binoculars and after a few spotting tutorials from Napoleon, I spot the squirrel, FINALLY....lol! Napoleon ranges the GS at 88 yards and I dig into my Strelok Ballistics Program to find that 82 yards is my 1st UPPER mildot. I knew my gun was still shooting just a tiny bit high due to the extremely high altitude so I aimed the upper mildot slightly lower than the chest. This would allow for a level hit right in the vitals of the chest cavity. At the shot, I heard the distinctive THWACK and another GS was down! This one makes #3 for Napolean and I.
We then pick up and decided to try one more spot that Napoleon had told me about earlier before calling it quits. We drive a quarter mile over the next hill and park our vehicles. This locale was a lookout point that overlooked a nice shallow valley. We both get out and start glassing the area. Neither of us saw anything then again, ALL OF A SUDDEN, Napoleon shouts out again, "I see one"! This squirrel was sitting atop a rock that i had JUST looked at also and he wasn't there when I looked. Napoleon ranges the GS at 95 yards and I began gathering my gun and chair and camera/bipod. I cross over to where Napoleon was and set every thing up to prepare for the shot. Napoleon is roughly 1 yard behind me. The GS was definitely NOT in a rush to leave and I made sure I didn't give him a reason to leave. Once set up, I made 2 vertical turret clicks down and put the 1st upper mildot dead square on the squirrels right eye. I then call the shot to Napoleon as a Head Shot. Upon the muzzle blast, a split second later, I could hear the very audible and one of a kind sound of a connecting projectile.........THWACK! Napoleon was watching out of his binoculars and screamed out, "that was a head shot, I could see his head get slammed down before his body went down". Upon arriving at the downed 4th squirrel, lets just say, we could tell the squirrel LOST HIS MIND!
Napoleon and I decided to find Baxter and call it a day. It was nearing the 4 o clock hour and we all had a drive ahead of us.
