Garand

Many years ago I shot WW2 re-enactor matches with an Enfield using reloads. One piece of advice I would give any Enfield shooter is buy a broken case extractor from Brownells and during timed matches, make sure that is readily accessible.

I also use a Lyman 150 grain gas checked cast bullet and my go to propellant is IMR 4227. The accuracy sweet spot for that combination is at 1763 fps. It has given me good results out to 300 yds.

I went with a Mauser M1896 in 6.5x55, for a couple of reasons, 1 I can use it at Winter Range at the Bucky O'Neill Match, 2, it is one of the only Milsurp rifles that BATF will allow a Canadian to bring into the US. 6.5x 55mm is a very flat shooting rifle out to 500 yds with cast lead. I got Lyman 150 gr RN moulds out of Buffalo Arms and if I do my part, the bullet with IMR 4227 will do its part.

This years match was far superior to last years match, thanks to all of those who worked together to put on a fantastic match.

Excellent info, makes it easier to plan on the amount of ammo I have to bring across the border. Thanks.

Thanks Samuel, I figure I'm driving 27 hours south to get to your place, I want to get all the trigger pullin' I can in.

For those of us out of the country, where are you going to post the F&I Wild Bunch applications?

Is there going to be a Wild Bunch BAMM match at Winter Range? I haven't seen it listed on Winter Ranges schedule. If so, I'm curious to what distances are we looking at?

I'm buying my bullets from both a manufacturer & a friend who casts, mainly because I am a high volume shooter and just don't have the time to engage another pastime. I have had excellent results with Red Dot & Unique, but when I move to an extruded rifle powder like 4198 & 4895 my groups go all over the place. Unfortunately there is little to choose in alternate powders these days.

Thanks for the suggestions, I am using in 6.5x55, the 150 grain GC Lyman bullet currently. As for the .32-40 & .38-55 they are straight lead. I've got about 8 different 6.5x55mm loads ready for testing the week, if nothing else pops up. And I do have my own chrony.

I was shooting with a friend earlier that lost his front sight also, it sure does ruin a good match.

 

First off, I'm using the powders that I currently have in stock and up here in Canada the supply is worse than the US. I'm using Red Dot, Unique, IMR 4198 & IMR 4895 currently. While I have good 100 yd results in .32-40, .38-55 & 6.5x 55mm with Red Dot & Unique, I can't seem to find a good reliably accurate load out to 250-300 yds.

If we are "just a group of competitors", maybe we should just show up in designer blue jeans, T shirts and baseball caps? Wild Bunch has been organized as represented by the shooters manual and it has been expanded for the better. All this is, is organizing another facet of Wild Bunch.

 

And frankly, trying to make long range rifles run with cast bullets is one of the most frustrating experiences in life !!

Rifles with cast bullets are more difficult to find an accurate load for, Krags with the speed loading capability are few and far between if there are any outside of museums, therefore someone who chooses a Springfield automatically has a distinct advantage. What does the cost of rifles have to do with this thread? And the reason I chose my "name" is the fact that I use it on a number of other forums.

5.1 grains of 231 in .44 mag (240 gr bullet)

5.7 grains of 231 in .45 acp (200 grain bullet)

I've had good luck in shooting reduced load (1,400 fps) cast bullets in military bolt actions with Unique & Red Dot. Don't forget them.

We have quite detailed requirements in the manual for our 1911's, we have 2 classes for our 1911's. Why can't we have a Traditional & a Modern class for BAMM rifles? Traditional would be pre 1916 designed rifles w/ lead bullets, Modern would be any military bolts after that date using jacketed ammo? Any thoughts? Members that shoot in a Traditional Class would also be equipped to shoot the Bucky O'Neil Competition at Winter Range if they choose to. Shooting accurately a 100 year old rifle with cast bullets is far different than shooting a newer rifle only 70 years old.

 

Actually at winter range this year I believe my cartridge belt did have "eagle snaps", I think I was the only one actually wearing a cartridge belt.

The unfortunate reality of life is that there are places in the world that are covered in white stuff in December. Therefore some of us have to plan ahead 6 months at ahead of time  :D :D

What are the plans for Long Range Rifle for Winter Range 2016?

Why was the age limit for BAMM set at the end of World War 2 in the first place? The time frame for the movie "Wild Bunch" was circa 1916. Lets try and be at least a little period correct. If I wanted to shoot a World War 2 re-enactor match, then I would bring out my Lee Enfield #4 Mk 1. I think that we are doing ourselves an injustice by widening the parameters for the competition.

I've been using 5.7 grains of W231 with a 200 grain LSWC as my "Wild Bunch legal load". It averages out at 843.2 FPS (PF 168.4) and 811.8 FPS( PF 162.3) out here in Alberta in my Series '70. Legendary Lawman, See you and Serenity at Winter Range.

 

Dapper Dynamite Dick

I shot my Mauser M1896 at Winter Range last February leaving the threads exposed. I have second "new to me" Mauser M1896 for this coming Februarys match, that I'm still trying to work up a load for.

I enjoyed shooting only 5 stages a day, that is more than enough. I thought the idea of the side matches was fantastic and I am looking forward to competing in them next year. As some one who attends from outside the US, I have to submit my paperwork months ahead of time to the BATF to bring in my ammo and firearms. In the future, please avoid cranking up the round count at the last minute as this causes immense problems for some shooters. In my case I barely had enough .45 acp to shoot Cowtown, Winter Range and Gathering of the Posses (this coming weekend).

Glad I read it here, I leave for Phoenix tomorrow morning! Need to get in a few rounds of golf first, so I can build up the frustration level to work off while shooting.

 

In the last 2 Winter Ranges, I thought the price of brass was too high also. Last year I just waited to the awards ended and everyone was packing up. The price of brass was dropping hourly!