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I posted awhile ago on my new to me Thys. I have decided with imput from JJ at Champlins to leave the rifle a 458wm, at least for now. I've shot the rifle a bunch, about 150 rounds and couldn't get an extraction or ejection issue. Neither could JJ. New Guy provided an easy technique for solving some load issues and since then there have been none.

I needed to have a bigger front sight installed and wanted a flip up bead, plus the front trigger pull was just too stiff so I sent it JJ. In adition, since I don't reload I asked JJ to work up three loads that would shoot since all factory 500gr=/- ammo I tried either crossed a couple of inches at 50yds or was apart a couple of inches. Lighter factory stuff crossed alot more.

I had decided that if the rifle would shoot with a load that matched or beat Ray Atkinsons favorite 470 load, which he has related again and again is just fine for buff and elephant then I'd leave the rifle a 458wm, at least for the time being, and deffer the rechamber to 450 31/4" issue for later. Ray, here and on AR, has given his load as producing 2050fps with 500grs.

JJ put together 500gr Woodleigh soft and solid loads that acording to JJ have the rights and lefts just touching, without crossing, and at the correct elevation and windage at 50yds. (Shooting to POA and not a 6:00 hold...) Other than replacing the front sight for the bigger bead no sight work was required. He also developed a 350gr Woodleigh load which shoots to POA at 50yds with the first, of two, folding leaves flipped up.

The 500gr loads JJ worked up should produce about 2090fps from my rifle with its 26" barrels, according to the Hornaday reloading manual and adding 40fps for the extra two inches - and assuming the Woodleighs can be substituted in the data. The 350gr load should do about 2240, same assumptions. Anyone have any input on whether the assumptions are valid?

I had an oportunity to shoot the rifle on Fri just before leaving town for a long weekend. Since the rifle, and my 375H&H, has been at JJ's for awhile I decided not to bench it since, for me, handling recoil isn't like riding a bicycle, its something I have to do regularly to keep up with and because the venue - NRA's 50yd indoor range - isn't too condusive to it. I've been shooting a fair bit with the Thys and my 375H&H and with a scoped 22 and an open sighted 22 in prep for my Oct Zim trip for four months or so and shooting the 22's while the bigger rifles were away (for two months). This has really helped my offhand shooting and shooting off sticks too as well as helping me regain some of the open sight ability that I hadn't used in over a decade, close to two.

When I shot my 375 and the Thys on Fri the recoil was...memorable. Glad I didn't bench them. After half a dozen or so rounds I had to concentrate not to flinch. Interestingly it was easier to shoot the heavy rifles off hand - for a couple of shots - than the much lighter 22's.

Though I shot offhand I could see how much better the Thys shot. Will bench it after a couple more offhand sessions to reacustom myself to the recoil.

JJ also worked up a 300gr Woodleigh solid load for my 375 since I couldn't get factory solids and softs to the same POI. He got the Fed Trophy Bonded factory loads which shoot really well in my rifle and his Woodleigh load together then he regulated the open sights by filing the rear sight down - its a fixed for elevation standing blade. Unfortunately when I shoot this rifle its printing the offhand group about 3" right of POA at 50yds. I will bench this rifle soon and move the rear sight to get it to shoot to POA. I think the POI variation here comes from the rifle and me being left handed.

Anyways, all seems to be coming together in a timely way for my Oct 3rd departure date.

I would welcome any comments.

JPK