[Jeff Higgins]

Update...

Well, I have plowed my way through my initial supply of 200 grain Hornady flat points, so I figured I would just order some more. Wrong. In the time since my first order, every one of the "usual suspects" of on-line reloading suppliers has gone "out of stock, no back order". It turns out these were limited production and are now gone. Or so they said... I found three more boxes at some really niche type reloading suppliers. That's it, that's all, until Hornady makes another run. It could be years. They do make their new-fangled "flex tip" bullet in their "LeveRevolution" line, but I'm into more traditional stuff for this rifle. I might just have to "bite the bullet" and get some of these, though, before there is nothing left at all. Barnes does make their traditional soft points in this caliber but, my god, they may as well be gold jacketed for what they want for them.

On the bright side, I was on the waiting list for brass from Quality Cartridge Company, and they came through. I asked for as much as they could send me, but they held me to 100 pieces. Oh well - that makes for 210 pieces for now. That should keep me going for awhile.

On the cast bullet front, I still don't have anything more than a mold for a 250 grain bullet. No sizing die, no neck expander to enable seating cast bullets without shaving lead on the case mouth. Huntington Die Specialties shows that they might have both. I'll call them again tomorrow to see.

So, after playing with this rifle pretty extensively for the last month, I have to say I'm impressed. Both with the rifle and with the caliber. It matches .30-'06 velocities with 200 grain bullets, making it an honest "long range" levergun. I now have it zeroed at 200 yards, and it is only a couple of inches high at 100. That, and it is actually accurate enough to be useful at extended ranges.

I guess I don't fully understand why this combination has not made a comeback. Not that it will ever be hugely popular, but with today's interest in all things retro, I wish it would get more attention. It deserves to.