Anyone tried one of the new calibers?

[BILLY D.]

Well they certainly aren't new but just overlooked.

A few months ago I ordered a 19 caliber Hornet barrel from Match Grade Machine for my Contender. Haven't received it yet. In the meantime I purchased a 19 Caliber Badger rifle from James Calhoon in Havre Montana.

The Badger is built on the CZ 527 platform with a single set trigger. It sure handles sweet and is an excellent walking rifle. The round it self is based on the 30 caliber Carbine case. I was on my way to Vegas to visit a Grandaughter and did some load development there. I broke the barrel in according to Jims instructions.

Then I started on the loads. I was using 32 gr Calhoon bullets and started with 15.5 grs of Accurate 2200 powder. Once I hit 16 grains I used .2 grain increments untill I hit 17.4 grs.

The largest group I had was .735 and the smallest was .480. Jim sells these rifles as .500 shooters. Damn I hate when people lie like that. LOL. This is an honest to goodness 350 yard rifle. I wasn't able to shoot any farther than 100 yards there and since I just returned home and it is now the monsoon season in North Dakota I haven't really gotten any further on loads. So far in May we had a foot of rain, very unusual for here.

So how did it clean you might ask? Very well, thank you. Used Bore Tech Copper remover and the first patch had just the smallest amount of blue tint. Next patch was clean. Something that never happened with my 17 cal or my 204.

As soon as I can I will do some chronographing and I want to shoot for groups at 200.

By the way, Jim also produces his own bullets and applies a proprietary coating to them, it's done by electrolysis. They are excellent. I'm having him send me some in 22 cal. also.

I'll keep ya posted.

Best wishes, Bill