vandeusenps
.224 member
Reged: 02/01/13
Posts: 31
Loc: Illinois
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All,
I figured it would be a good idea to post a follow-up to my recent threads regarding my new (to me) H&H Paradox. The gun is by no means a museum piece, but because of that I was able to purchase this one for a reasonable price. Here are a few pics:
After purchasing a set of plug gauges, I was able to determine the bore measurements at 9" from the breech, those being .739" (right) and .738" (left), so still within proof.
Following load recommendations from various sources, I settled on a starting load of 21.5 grains of Unique under a 785 gr. lead bullet from a Cast Bullet Engineering mould. I used a 16:1 lead to tin mix to try and duplicate the original and close as possible. As for wads, I used a .125" nitro card over the powder, and then three 1/4" cork wads to bring the bullet nose even with the trimmed federal gold medal paper case mouth. The first few shots with this load produced good individual barrel groups, but vertically stacked about 6", and about 4" wide. Back to the drawing board...
After chronographing the 21.5 grain load, I realized that my velocity was quite a bit short of the original 1000 to 1050 fps. After increasing the charge, I settled on 23.0 grains of Unique to get right at 1000 fps. Due to the heavier than original bullet I was using, I decided to stop there to avoid increasing pressures to a dangerous level. Groups with this charge were closer together, but still not what I was looking for. I remembered reading in one of the DGJ articles that some had better luck with more or less wads. So I quickly loaded up 10 more with 4 cork wads instead of 3, and VOILA, some decent groups!
Here is 4 shots (alternating right/left) at 50 yards:
Just to make sure, I fired another 4 at the same target, here is 8 shots at 50 yards:
Now I wanted to test the 100 yard sight leaf, here is 3 shots offhand at a 100 yards (I pulled the 4th shot to the edge of the paper, my bad!):
For a gun that is 125 years old, I'm happy with this performance!
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85lc
.400 member
Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1171
Loc: Georgia, USA
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Vandeusenps, Nice looking gun. That is very nice accuracy. Your paradox should do well on hogs and deer.
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RB
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vandeusenps
.224 member
Reged: 02/01/13
Posts: 31
Loc: Illinois
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Thanks 85, planning on taking it into the Michigan deer woods in a few weeks!
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lancaster
.470 member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9459
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
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you did fine till now and I would say there is hope for further improve
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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
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bringing civilisation to the barbarians
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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I'm happy for you.
It's looking good, and there's room for improvement.
Congratulations
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4363
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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vandeusenps, I think I'd be pretty happy about that grouping regardless!
Not bad going off hand either.
Yes it would be a fair old wallop either end....hope you score a few deer or pigs soon.
They won't know what hit them!
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27614
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Wonderful gun, excellent loading and shooting. Well done.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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rigbymauser
.400 member
Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 2025
Loc: Denmark
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lovely gun. Thanks for sharing.
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vandeusenps
.224 member
Reged: 02/01/13
Posts: 31
Loc: Illinois
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Thanks all for the kind remarks! My next attempt at getting even better regulation will be using lighter slugs. I will probably order a hollow point version of the one I am using now, and possibly ordering one from Accurate Molds.
I forgot to mention that I also tried some different shot loads, all factory loads from RST. It seems that it likes the fiber wad versions the best, patterning about 37% at 40 yards (improved cylinder). Getting about 70% patterns at 25 yards, so I may try to take a fall turkey with it next weekend.
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rigbymauser
.400 member
Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 2025
Loc: Denmark
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Quote:
Thanks all for the kind remarks! My next attempt at getting even better regulation will be using lighter slugs. I will probably order a hollow point version of the one I am using now, and possibly ordering one from Accurate Molds.
I forgot to mention that I also tried some different shot loads, all factory loads from RST. It seems that it likes the fiber wad versions the best, patterning about 37% at 40 yards (improved cylinder). Getting about 70% patterns at 25 yards, so I may try to take a fall turkey with it next weekend.
True...and a little more speed.
AS you state in your intro...the gun has seen better days but even such your gun has a lovely vintage glow over it. Just stuff some shells in the pocket and take of for a woods walk
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skeet2atlow8
.224 member
Reged: 04/11/14
Posts: 31
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Well done! Glad to see it work so well.
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Skeeter
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