In honor of our friend Sea Fire five test loads were run through the .358 X .404 IMP.,using varying amounts of BLUE DOT.
All loadings were identical except for powder weight. The bullet was a 180 psp bulk.

1. 26grains Blue Dot,1879 to 1900 fps. super mild, sooty, no kick, 1" group at 50 yds.

2. 27 grains BD., 1871 to 1941 fps., mild ,sooty, 2" group at 50 yds.

3. 31 grains BD., mild, less soot, 2162 to 2163 fps., .600" group at 50 yds.

4. 32 grains BD., 2142 to 2159 fps. mild light soot, !" group at 50 yds.

5. 33 grains BD., 2187 to 2259 fps., mild some soot, .750"grp. at 50 yds.
Comment: the last two loads duplicate the energy level of the 30-30.
The next 3 were the same rifle:

A. 180gr. psp bulk bullet, 91.2 gr. XMR 4064, Bell case, 215 primer, oal= 3.645" 3333 to 3375 fps. fantastic group at 50 yds.clean.

B. 250 grain Speer pointed, Norma case, primer 215, 82 grains 7383, oal= 3.825", 2673 to 2882 fps.sooty, really nice group. Just great on 200 yd. metal pig.

C. 250 grain Flat Point, 92.7 grains H-4831, Bell case, primer 215, oal=3.590" avg2833 fps. Not a Max. load.Great accuracy.
Comment: My days of comfortably shooting this rifle with heavy loads from a bench are near over.

22PPC, Stevens Mod. 200 with stiff trigger, Shaw heavy barrel; tested were 5 different bullets with identical loads; nny 7.62 x39 reformed cases , #34 primers, 25.7 grains DP 73,

1. 55 gr. FMJ-BT. Mid South Blems, oal=2.055" 3169 to 3270 fps. 3 shot .150" grp. at 50 yds., 15 shot 2" group at 50 yds.

2. 55 gr. VarMint Nite Mare xtreme. oal= 1.982". mild, soot,. 3115 to 3210 fps., 9 shot 3/4" grp. at 50 yds.

3. 55gr. fb-hp Berger 0al= 2.030"3133 to 3234 fps. nice group.

4. 55 gr. psp bulk w/ canelure oal=1.950", 3127 to 3270 fps. fair to shity.

5. 52 gr. Nosler comp., oal=2.041", 3148 to 3225 fps. 10 shots you could cover with a Quarter. roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..