The Tundra 87 Smoothy was ready to go back to the range today. I had it's new slugs (cast from the new mold in soft lead). I'd also prepared a "Bull Clamp" to better handle the considerable power it makes.



The 87 slug, in pure lead, weighs in at approx. 923 grains. The Tundra fires that, in it's current tune, at 603 fps.



That makes for a very healthy energy rating of 745 foot pounds.



I started at 40 yards. Note shots 1 and 2 were a double.



I snapped a pic of the clean Dragon I drew for the next test. If you want to print up some dragons for targets, there ya go!



I put the Dragon target on the bullet trap at 51 yards. Here's a group of 3 of the 923 grain slugs, fired at about 750 fpe.



The slugs tore the poster board on the cardboard backer. I had some 87 slug bases from inside the bullet trap. Based upon the overlapping lead smears, here's the way the slugs stacked up on the target @ 51 yards. Not too shabby for a SMOOTH bore airgun shooting monster weight slugs at huge energy.



The back of the bullet trap took a pounding!



I posted a target at 76 yards and shot this one and only group. Shot one was high. Shot 2 and 3 overlapped.



Today's set up.



Not having a fridge in the War Wagon (yet), I had to post my targets on the wall.



The bullet trap is made to collect the shattered lead underneath. Well worth the effort when each slug is 923 grains! We'll remelt them, and they will fly again!



Shattered lead, ready for the casting pot.

Good range session. The gun really shoots well. Very accurate. Very clean firing cycle now. With the tuning notes gained on this one, I'll tune up the Justice now and get that ready for the range! The actions are similar. The few things that vexed me Saturday are all cleaned up now ... and I'll make similar finishing touches to the Justice.

Gary

WOW! The Tundra .87 is very impressive. It's brute power coupled with its accuracy and huge slug make it a true Dragon Slayer! This is no doubt, a bigbore for taking down the largest of games!

Very nice gun Gary, even though it's not done yet.

Oh yeah! I love the big ones. That's a lot of lead.

Good to see you opted for a "mild" power range of 745 fpe. Still cool to see a smoothy group like that at 70+ yards.

Bull clamp . . . is that a beefed-up barrel clamp?

Any lever assist on this one? My puny software arms have a hard time with the cocking effort.

-- Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2009 11:04AM by Jim.

Yeah Jim,

Lever cocking? You need the version with a USB port. You can access the cocking preferences thru the control panel on your laptop. I'm working on an implanted chip, where you'd just "think" about cocking the gun, and it would comply. However; I can't reach the first three test subjects which were implanted last Wednesday. Our test program is very "subject oriented" though. I'll give you the url that explains it ...

Gary

Wow It is hard to believe it did that much damage to your bullet trap Gary. And that is the first time I have seen one of your stocks showing the air pressure tube. It looks good that way. Nice groups Gary.

Hi Kenneth,

Yeah - I've done a few of the Tundra's that way. Gives it a very "serious" look. The stock is all "blocky" now. I'll slim it out and make it flow.

It is a beast. That's thick steel, and those were very good welds. I didn't weld it completely across the seams, because I didn't think it was required. Well ... ... it is now, after some hammer work. haha.

Gary

That's a gun I like VERY, VERY much.

Excuse me, but how in earth could I buy it?

And although it's not ready, I like its aesthetics (bit same as race car's rough beaty of approrpiateness).

Glad you like it. It is a beast.

Yeah - it has that sort of "Apocalypse" finish ....

Gary

I believe at the range I referred to the finish as "Newark."

-- Jim

SWEET!

The stock reminds me of the "nebula" rifle from the wayback machine, kinda "buck rodgers" style.

You're gonna have to gin up one of those "snail type" bullet trap if you keep this up. They make the slugs spin round and round inside to dissipate the energy gradually instead of just taking it out in one big bang. Savage makes them, though I don't know if any of their models are portable enough for the War Wagon.

Sheesh!!!! I don't know where to start....smooth bore and great accuracy....923 grain slugs that's massive! 745 fpe?? Did you have elephants in mind, Gary?
I'm thinking this gun is a conspiracy to keep Jerry in business casting monster slugs and sending them 1 per truck to eager customers
My 50 cal is now looking like a midget
Cheers
Neil

50 caliber!!! FIFTY caliber??? Stop, STOP!!! You're killin' me ....

Gary

barnespneumatic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 50 caliber!!! FIFTY caliber???
> Stop, STOP!!! You're killin' me ....
>
> Gary

OK, OK, I get the point...I mean, I missed the point....well, you know what I mean..

Neil

Hi Sean,

This "IS" a snail trap design. However; I've made it so it will accept shots over the entire face of the trap - instead of just at the top of a scroll. Those slugs were deflected before they slammed into the back of the scroll. Right ... I know ... not a pure scroll - but I needed it portable and wanted the entire front to accept shots.

Gary

Power shmower, I just think the gun looks COOL!

Who wants power anyway?

Hmmm...snail traps not quite up to the task...maybe you can just set out some spare cans of stale beer and hope they fall into them and drown like the slugs in my strawberries.

I guess you're gonna have to just plan on re-welding it every time you beat it up at the range. Either that, or figure some way to get a nice, continuous spiral out of 3/8 sheet with no welds, Oh, and at maybe face hardened so it'll stand up to some wear and tear. And be light enough to be portable. And....

Makes you wonder if that farmer will let you park a 55 gallon drum of duct-seal out in the back forty and just leave it there.Then you just have to bring along a shovel and a tamper to pack it all back in after you're done for the day.