Now that we have double rifles added to this forum, I'd better make a contribution! Tossed this up on NitroExpress.com the other day, hope you gentlemen enjoy it here too.
I recently took delivery of a Rodda 'crystal indicator' sidelock made by W.C.Scott & Son, chambered for the .577/.500 No.2 cartridge and marked on the flats "CO EX" for the cordite express 'nitro-for-black' load. I had a couple of weeks to check it over, see if it would shoot, and make an offer. Great fun!
The rifle apparently came to Australia out of Sumatra about 25 yrs ago, having been confiscated by the game department from persons unknown. Unfortunately it has had a hard life, with every screw-slot buggered, a few problems in the head of the old Indian re-stock, and a poorly-made replacement top-lever spring. It was slightly off the face, despite a village black-smith's attempts to tighten it (!), and the Henry-rifled bores were no longer bright. It would have been a marvellous gun in its day: nevertheless a good restoration project if the price was right, and if it
shoots!
I hunted down a dozen Bertram cases and a box of 440gr Woodleighs, and started at 65gr AR2208 (Varget), working up to 75 grains in 2-grain increments. I was looking for regulation somewhere between 1650 and 1700 fps within that charge-range, hopefully with tight barrel groups, and (please!) no vertical dispersion between the barrel-groups!
Well, the initial results were very encouraging, to say the least! The loads started-off around 1500 fps or so with 65gr, and about 2 1/2 inches apart, but high. Gradually came down the target as the load increased, and the last two pairs (73 and 75 grains) were about an inch apart, heading back up the target again. Velocity at the highest loading was 1700 fps for the left barrel, and I missed the right barrel velocity on the chrono but it was probably around 1650-1670 going by the velocity difference at the lower loadings. Unfortunately, as a result of this, the right barrel bullet-strike was slightly above the left, but within an inch or so at 50 metres so I can live with that.
Next I loaded up the whole lot again at 74 grains AR2208 (Varget) to shoot seriously for accuracy, after a bit of mucking about with dies etc. Softened an old RCBS .308 die and bored it out on the lathe to 0.527 for neck-sizing my dozen cases. This die produces enough neck tension to hold the bullet, but not so much as to make seating without a proper seating-die difficult. Consequently, the velocities for the 74gr loads I settled on had dropped back to around 1600 fps. I probably need to make a crimp-die next!
The resulting groups were nonetheless astounding! First two shots overlapped at 50 metres. Slight sight adjustment, and second 2 shots were touching! My two witnesses couldn't believe their eyes, and had to have a couple of shots each themselves to verify. I had trouble getting the rifle back off them!
At that point I had pretty much decided that I
need this gun, so its now a done deal and the Rodda is a permanent resident of my gun-safe! A lot of restoration will be required to bring the old girl up to speed, but at least she
shoots!
There was a slight crossing evident with the 2nd lot of loads, however I'm certain it will disappear with crimping. If not, I'll just have to make another neck-sizing die with slightly greater neck tension. ...after I tighten the gun and make 7 new screws! Plenty of 'occupational therapy' ahead!
