Some of you know me as a Contender nut and an experimentalist. Well that is right on, and some of the work I have done over that last few years has been on determination of a method to estimate the maximum safe breech pressure for work-up loads for the Contender.

When I was working with Mike Bellm evaluating the Bellm Triad of chamberings and developing optimum hunting handloads for them, I began experimenting with a method Mike suggested as a cut-off for work-up loads. I took his method, refined it, expanded it and quantified it as the "Spring-Back" method for determination of what I called "Redline Loads". Some details about the spring-back method have been offered earlier here on this forum and before that over on the Pond. Also an introduction was put up on a page set up for me by Steve Cox.

I decided there was indeed new ground here and actually enough to the spring-back method that I should write a technical paper describing it and see if I could get it published. Well, success has finally appeared. I just got my January 2004 issue (#49) of The VARMINT HUNTER Magazine and lo and behold there is my article.

I'd like to invite you all to read the paper and lets talk about how we can apply the concept toward safer, more effecient Contender shooting. I should note too that a couple of the regulars from this forum have used the method and have found it to be a useful tool.

Don Shearer

Don,

I just today recieved my January 2004 issue of the VHA, and your article was the first thing to catch my eye in the index. Excellent piece

If anyone can scan and email this article, I would greatly appreciate it!!!

thanks, regards, and Bless our troops for capturing the Bandit of Baghdad!!

Graycg

Congrats Don glad to see you recognized publicly! Now I have to scramble around & see if I can buy that issue of the magazine. You deserve this moment, enjoy it!

Gray

I scanned the artical and sent it. In a bit of a hurry as I am on my way out the door, hope it is ok

Hairtrigger