I pushed the test a bit. Thought you guys were curious. The slide breech isn't quite finished. There's no stock. The bullet mold isn't made, or slugs cast. BUT ... I found some .530" round ball. I had a pc. of barrel cutting. Used it to size the round ball. The barrel threads off - I had chambered it ... So I loaded the breech, and threaded the barrel back on.

I dragged the stuff outside. Got the chronograph. Went to look for that plywood baffle set I'd recorded some early shots on. (Never found it - storm building - had to quit looking). I was in the lower shop when a mighty thunder clap struck!!!! Whoooh! Hey - right on time!! Haha. Better get this test done before I get fried!

Well, I found a chunk if 2 by, treated plank. Set up the chrono. Turned it on. Dead battery. Sure.

Went on a hunt. Found two more!!! Thunder rolling. Sky looks like the Apocalypse! Bring it ...

Tried the first battery. Dead.

Tried the last battery as thunder clapped - still off a ways. (Yeah - I know - it can get you from over the horizon
- I expect it in fact). Last battery worked.

I set up. 3,000 psi. Buck Slug was 222.5 grains. Line up. BANG!!!! Was that the 50 or Thunder and Lightening?!! Well - I'm asking so must have been the 50.

788 fps. 222.5 grains. 307 foot pounds. Exactly what I'd set as a goal. I'd said 300-350 foot pounds. A ball will always give you the lowest fpe per caliber. When I get my Raptor slug it will hit 350 fpe easily.

The pics will be obvious without captions. I have to pick up Kelly. Yay.

Hope you enjoyed a look see. . It's a winner of a project. Must have been inspired.

Gary.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2014 04:40AM by barnespneumatic.

Yeah ... I know. (Told you I'm not showing the raw action without a stock.). It's gonna look like a rifle.

What you are buying is that little part that certifies it as "Barnes". And for 1999 prices! You guess if those will stay.

3 left.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2014 04:32AM by barnespneumatic.

Most of my posts are made via my iPhone, during the day. I miss typos on the tiny screen. Therefore; I go back later and clean up things that need correcting. They may be clear - but just sound awkward.



Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2014 04:43AM by barnespneumatic.

Hmmmm, hit the target power on the first shot. Now I'm really worried! It sure looks like you've done this before.

Hi Jerry,

Have no fear - things are falling apart elsewhere. Maryland is a disaster. And, during a storm a couple of days ago ... While rain was running rivers ... the truck would not shift into 4WD. And, applying the brake - I felt the seal release and the pedal went to the floor. It's all going ... "swimmingly"

You know the Barnes Moto ... "Work Today to regain the position you held yesterday!"



Gary

Nice . . . well done. And we know you've been doing this long enough to know beforehand within pretty tight tolerance what that power range is gonna be. Regardless . . . first fire of a 100% handmade big bore air rifle is always something to be celebrated. Well done, Gary.

I am pleased that the "wood burning shop calculator" survived the trip to BPS. Old school indeed. I have a list of "items" from your old shop that stand out in my head . . . that is one of them for some weird reason.

-- Jim

Ha! Me too, Jim.

I love that thing. What a product. I know that is most likely from 1974 - maybe 72. What a product! Won't see many products made like that again.

Thanks for commenting.

Gary

Well - going for the desired smaller scale, I designed this with a 24" barrel. There were quite a few judgement calls made. And, it came in dead on target. Neat.

Very nice going Gary and you beat the storm to boot. Looks like nice power from your round ball projectile as evidence of the backstop carnage.

Gary,

Good to know that the required bad luck is staying out of the shop! Anybody can get their brakes fixed...

Jim,

Remember the crazy glue? That was....interesting!

Made the cherry for the 50 Raptor today!

Will cut a test mold tomorrow.

Gary

The anticipation is killing me!

Need to get as much work done as possible. Going to need to take a day or two off for range time before deer season.

Scott