New Africa rifle

[jjhack]

Well folks my work rifle is nearly complete, I had a custom big bore rifle maker put it together for me. All that is remaining the the stock getting checkered. you can see this beauty at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rifles/_wsn/page4.html

It should be checkered by the end of next week and I will post the completed photo's then

 

[jjhack]

I have the Lott now that John Ricks Built for me. Here are some thoughts regarding
                    the cartridge and the Work John did, after putting 50 rounds through it in the last
                    24 hours.

                    The work on the gun's metal is 100% flawless. Johns craftmanship is 100% what I
                    hoped for. The modified Model 70 action works like a champ, and matches all my
                    other rifle actions. I'm glad I chose it over the CZ. The choice of stock is the only
                    choice as far as I'm concerned. Laminated Walnut with the decelerator recoil pad.
                    It's a small, or slender stock compared to other factory style scope designed
                    stocks. This stock looks like it should be on a double rifle in fit and design. It's
                    about time somebody made a bolt action rifle stock especially for open sights!

                    I had shot this rifle before while John was test fitting and finishing the gun. It was
                    good and we agreed on the finishing touches and he finished the gun for me, with
                    only a basic sanding of the stock and some light tru-oil to see the wood grain and
                    protect it while out testing. I wanted to finish the stock myself and I will do that
                    along with getting the checkering done.

                    I loaded 80 grians of RL-15 and 500 grain bullets for a test load. The velocity was
                    2080fps consistant and accuracy with the open peep sights was great out to 65
                    yards( my prefered zero) I also had some loaded with the same powder to 82
                    grains and they were exactly 2140fps and could touch holes at the 65 yard
                    distance, a deadly accurate load. Then I shot the hottest load I brought along
                    which was 85 grains of RL-15 they shot 2225fps and was exactly the same
                    accuracy. The recoil was not really any different from the others.

                    It was 40 degrees when I was shooting so I expect the loads would be 20fps
                    faster at the typical 80-90 plus temp's in Africa. That would put the 85 grain load
                    around 2250fps. From my 22" barrel. Better then any 458 win mag will get at my
                    very low pressure level.

                    I know several others who shoot 87 grains of RL-15 but I have not tried that load
                    yet. They get about 2300fps with that load and after seeing mine shoot 2225 with
                    the 85 grain load at 40 degrees I have no reason to believe otherwise. I'm sure to
                    gain a bit more velocity as I reach the maximum pressure and in warmer temp's.

                    The gun fed and ejected 100% flawless and the balance of the minimalist wood
                    stock design, and the 22" heavy barrel makes holding this on target free hand
                    nearly effortless. Where I was shooting today there was a pile of red house bricks.
                    I stood a dozen on end from 25-65 yards. I only missed one at 65 yards in 12
                    shots freehand! Although I did knock one over with out turning it to dust, I must
                    admit that was probably a near miss. The sights and the balance are matched
                    perfectly. Using the hooded front sight, and the peep when you look through them
                    both and pull the trigger you hit what was in the alligned circle. It's that simple,
                    Really, no more effort then that!

                    There is no question this rifle will shoot 500 grain bullets at or very near 2300fps
                    and with superb accuracy. I'm confident that with a low powered scope you could
                    shoot game to hundreds of yards with this rifle and put all your bullets into an
                    enlarged hole at 100 yards.

                    I have some hardcast test bullets from Beartooth which are 425 grains I will load
                    and shoot some today and tommorow. I also have some 450's to try as well.
                    However if nothing else was going to work out for me, the 500 grain hornies are so
                    accurate and powerful that would be good enough!

                    My rifle is pictured on Johns Website, for those interested. The thick laminated
                    wood is so nice it does not look like it's laminated at all. It will also take checkering
                    much better then a normal laminated wood stock because the checkering will not
                    cut through the first layer of wood.

                    I am anxious to try some X bullets to see if I finally have a rifle which will shot
                    them well. I guess I will need them lighter then 500 grains due to them being so
                    much longer. Any suggestions to loads and bullet weights for the Lott using X
                    bullets would be greatjj