In the summer of 1983, I had a severe concussion; severe enough that I had to learn to walk again and occasionally had severely slurred speech. Recoil also caused headaches from anything over a .22 LR or very light loads. At that time, Ed Doonan had just joined the CBA and suggested shooting cast bullets as a way to keep shooting. This offered less recoil with postal matches to compete.
I tried it and enjoyed the challenge. Bought the RCBS 30-180-SP mold, both .310 and .311 sizers, RCBS Pro-Melt, RCBS lubrisizer, NRA ALOX-Beeswax lube, and 500 pounds of linotype. I was hooked, Ed and I were testing loads and comparing notes each weekend at the Windhill Range. Then I bought a Marlin 1895 in .45-70 and molds for it. I was now fully hooked on the challenge.
Today, I still shoot cast, except for prairie dogs and coyotes, for the challenge and fun, moving to the breech-seated plain-base class. There is a great group of people who shoot in all classes and I first enjoy the camaraderie.
Today, I have a bone marrow cancer that again restricts my ability to take recoil. The doctors and I worked out the level of recoil I can take and I keep shooting. The Springfield loads are the limit and I will be working on lighter loads for these rifles..
Below is the table generated by QuickLoad which we used. This is for information only, the 1874 Sharps load is definitely off-limits and for comparison only.
Gun Caliber Total Weight Recoil (ft/lb) Load
BSA Martini Mk I .22 LR 12.2 0.11 Fiocchi Pistol Match
BSA Martini Mk II .22 LR 12.2 0.11 Fiocchi Pistol Match
BSA Martini Mk III .22 LR 12.2 0.11 Fiocchi Pistol Match
BSA Martini 12/15 .22 LR 10.2 0.13 Fiocchi Pistol Match
Ruger #1B .22 Hornet 10.3 0.71 12.8 680 / 35 SPT
Stevens 44 ½ BR .25-20 WCF 15.9 0.75 8.0 4100 / 120 25-120-MOS
Stevens 44 ½ Sil .25-20 WC 15.6 0.75 8.0 4100 / 120 25-120-MOS
Ruger #1B .218 Bee 14.4 0.81 18.0 680 / 52 SPT
Remington XP-100 .17-.221 Fireball 6.9 0.96 15.0 4227 / 25 SPBT
FN 400 BR .220 Swift 20.9 1.09 38.0 4064 / 55 SPBT
Remington XP-100 .221 Fireball 5.7 1.20 16.5 4198 / 45 SP
Stevens 44 ½ BR .32-20 CPA 15.9 2.15 9.4 #9 / 205 321-205-TPR
Stevens 44 ½ SIL .32-20 CPA 15.6 2.15 9.4 #9 / 205 321-205-TPR
SAKO L461 .222 Magnum 11.6 2.20 24.4 H322 / 55 SPBT
Ruger #1V .22-.250 11.4 3.58 38.0 H380 / 55 SPBT
Ruger #1V .220 Swift 11.7 3.84 38.0 4064 / 55 SPBT
Ruger #1B 6mm Rem 10.5 4.36 47 4831 / 100 SPBT
Springfield 1903 – SA .30-‘06 8.3 4.61 21.0 RL7 / 188 30-180-SP
Winchester 1876 .45-60 11.3 6.90 16.7 Trail Boss / 315 45-30-FNU
Springfield 03A3 – SC .30-‘06 8.3 7.39 30.0 RL7 / 205 311335
Springfield 1924 - SA .30-‘06 8.4 7.55 21.5 4759 / 215 30-215-SP
Springfield 1903 – RIA .30-‘06 8.5 9.37 27.0 RL7 / 205 311284
Sharps 1874 .45-70 12.8 15.16 68 Swiss 1 ½ FFg / 500 RN
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest