Thursday, October 08, 2015

.327 Federal in the Single-Seven

Last year I bought a Lipsey's Special, Single-Seven Ruger in .327 Federal. This 7-shot gun is based on the frame of Ruger's long popular Single-Six .22 rimfire. The cylinder window dimensions have been slightly enlarged and the cylinder dimensions likewise increased to fill the window which permits the chambering of 7 of the .32 caliber cartridges and handling the pressures those cartridges will generate.

Factory ammunition available since my purchase has been limited to the Federal American Eagle loaded with 85 and 100 grain soft-nosed bullets. While these two bullets are of different weight, the design for both seems to be the same and one can't tell the difference by simply looking at a loaded cartridge. This hasn't proven to be as accurate as I think the pistol should be and so I decided to load a known quality bullet, the Hornady 100 gr. XTP.

BulletPowderPowder ChargeMuzzle VelocityMuzzle Energy
Hornady 100 gr. XTPAA-79.4 gr.1462 fpsMuzzle Energy
Hornady 100 gr. XTPAA-913.0 gr.1572 fpsMuzzle Energy
Hornady 100 gr. XTP240011.5 gr.1405 fpsMuzzle Energy
Hornady 100 gr. XTPH11013.5 gr.1525 fpsMuzzle Energy
Hornady 100 gr. XTPLongshot6.7 gr.1402 fpsMuzzle Energy


However, the gun wasn't shooting well and so I sent it back to Ruger who did some work and returned it within a week. This first is the test target they sent with the invoice. They shot this test at 15-yards.

Today, I shot the gun with the Federal factory 100-grain bullet load. This is what 3 cylinders full looks like after being shot at 25-yards.
 
I also shot some of my reload of the 100-grain XTP over 9.4-grains of AA-7. This is that target.


Needless to say I was not happy. Is my eyesight to blame? Can I not shoot today? Poor trigger management? Had it with me so I got out my Garthwaite CCO and 5 magazines (6-7 rounds each) of mixed brand "white-box" ball. This is that target.

So, I think I can still shoot alright but the gun is just not going to group worth a fig. I did not want a cast bullet gun and I suspect it will be a pain to find a mold to cast a bullet big enough in diameter to work with the cylinder and bore.

Sunday, October 04, 2015

France - 2015

Took a trip to France with the 116th Infantry Foundation, Inc. The tour was headed by BG (Ret) Ted Shuey.

26 Sep (Saturday) - Travel to France.

27 Sep (Sunday) - Arrival in France, travel to Caen and first of British beaches. Aramanche. Dinner at Casino Hotel in Vierville-sur-mer. First of 3 nights in Vierville.

28 Sep (Monday) - Omaha Beach. Champagne in chateau of Messr Horsmann who told us of his experience during 1942-1944 in the house. Dinner at Casino.

29 Sep (Tuesday) - St. Mere-Eglise, Utah Beach, Ravenoville, dinner at John Steele restaurant in St. Mere-Eglise.

30 Sep (Wednesday) - St. Lo various followed by return to Paris and night at Charles de Gaulle Hilton

1 Oct (Thursday) - day on our own in Paris, train to the city, taxi to tour, walking tour of Louvre, ride on Seine, Eiffel Tower (with lunch on 1st level), ride on Seine to Notre-Dame, train back to Charles de Gaulle Hilton.

2 Oct (Friday) - Flight home

3 Oct (Saturday) - pick up the dog.