Hats off to the custom bullet makers...past and present.

[jamesdmock]

It has been about nine years since I have shot short range Benchrest at the national level. I now shoot locally on occasion at 300 and 600 yards. I shoot mostly Bart's custom bullets, but have shot most of the custom bullets over the years. Today, I got to thinking about many of those bullet makers who made great bullets but have passed on or have quit making bullets.

After screwing my 6 PPC barrel on, I decided to shoot some 3-shot groups with some of the remnants that I had left from back in the day. My current load for accuracy features Bart's 68 grain Avenger BT with 29.5 gr. of N133/Federal 205m primer. These are seated about .004 into the lands. I loaded some 63 grain FB by the late Jef Fowler with the same charge and seated the same. I also loaded some 62gr. FB made by Ronnie Cheek. I understand that Ronnie had a heart attack and has quit making bullets. I will shoot these along with my "control group" with Bart's. I plan to shoot some more at a later date with bullets by the late Lowell Hottenstein, the late Del Bishop, and Ralph Council. I do this as a memorial to those who have passed on and as a tribute to those who no longer make bullets. James

I got out this morning to try the three bullets mentioned. To be fair, I have not worked up a load for either the Cheek or the Fowler. Here are my 3-shot groups at 100 yards.

 

[Dkk37058]

And to all who have contributed so much to our sport and got us to where we are today

 

[hpshooter]

I do this as a memorial to those who have passed on and as a tribute to those who no longer make bullets. James

Please post the groups along with the Bart's control group.

 

[jamesdmock]

It has been about nine years since I have shot short range Benchrest at the national level. I now shoot locally on occasion at 300 and 600 yards. I shoot mostly Bart's custom bullets, but have shot most of the custom bullets over the years. Today, I got to thinking about many of those bullet makers who made great bullets but have passed on or have quit making bullets.

After screwing my 6 PPC barrel on, I decided to shoot some 3-shot groups with some of the remnants that I had left from back in the day. My current load for accuracy features Bart's 68 grain Avenger BT with 29.5 gr. of N133/Federal 205m primer. These are seated about .004 into the lands. I loaded some 63 grain FB by the late Jef Fowler with the same charge and seated the same. I also loaded some 62gr. FB made by Ronnie Cheek. I understand that Ronnie had a heart attack and has quit making bullets. I will shoot these along with my "control group" with Bart's. I plan to shoot some more at a later date with bullets by the late Lowell Hottenstein, the late Del Bishop, and Ralph Council. I do this as a memorial to those who have passed on and as a tribute to those who no longer make bullets. James

I got out this morning to try the three bullets mentioned. To be fair, I have not worked up a load for either the Cheek or the Fowler. Here are my 3-shot groups at 100 yards.View attachment 1375566

While talking to Jef Fowler about bullet making, I brought up how famous his 66 gr. bullet was among top shooters. Jef surprised me when he stated that he did not use the 66 gr. bullet, but instead used the 63 grain made on shorter jackets. This was many years ago, and I found the box of bullets he gave me. I shot 3 of these on this occasion. I am not sure that these were given a fair chance in my brief test, but I know that Jef Fowler shot them VERY well. It is possible that I have mixed another bullet in the old red box since it has been about 20 years since Jef gave me those bullets. For those who did not know Jef, he was a Hall of fame shooter who passed away years ago and had his ashes spread on the range at Kelbly's. He loved Benchrest shooting.

 

[243fan]

Clay Spencer also made some excellent bullets. I have a couple box's that I'm shooting still.

 

[FNSafari]

BIB...one of the greats and as down-to-earth and helpful a fellow as you will ever meet or deal with!

 

[jamesdmock]

We have lost some of the great bulletsmiths. I think of Del Bishop, Lowell Hottenstein, Don Gentner, Phil Sauer, Jef Fowler, Brady Knight, Miles Hollister, Allie Euber, Cecil Tucker, Larry Bagget, and Ed Watson. There have been several others, but these come to mind. I am thankful for all of those who dedicated their efforts to accuracy.

 

[jackieschmidt]

BIB...one of the greats and as down-to-earth and helpful a fellow as you will ever meet or deal with!

Randy’s 112 thru 118 30 caliber bullets have been and still are the Varmint for Score bullet that sets the standard.

When I started making my own 112 , my goal was to make a bullet as good as Randy‘s. I’m getting there, but even though I have a great set of Dies, I would never be so pretentious as to think I could make a better bullet than the BIB.

 

[Downhill]

I overlooked custom bullets for years. Then I tried some Barts 68 Ultras in my second 6 BR. Completely shocked at the results. A real "light bulb" moment. Felt as though I had been wasting barrel life on the mass produced stuff. Have not looked back since. Custom is the way to go!

 

[kerjo]

About 15 years ago I bought 16K Bart's 68gr Ultras for my 6PPC and never looked back. The few that I still have left still shoot dots.

 

[FNSafari]

I overlooked custom bullets for years. Then I tried some Barts 68 Ultras in my second 6 BR. Completely shocked at the results. A real "light bulb" moment. Felt as though I had been wasting barrel life on the mass produced stuff. Have not looked back since. Custom is the way to go!

Regrettably and brutally honestly, you were.

 

[jamesdmock]

It has been about nine years since I have shot short range Benchrest at the national level. I now shoot locally on occasion at 300 and 600 yards. I shoot mostly Bart's custom bullets, but have shot most of the custom bullets over the years. Today, I got to thinking about many of those bullet makers who made great bullets but have passed on or have quit making bullets.

After screwing my 6 PPC barrel on, I decided to shoot some 3-shot groups with some of the remnants that I had left from back in the day. My current load for accuracy features Bart's 68 grain Avenger BT with 29.5 gr. of N133/Federal 205m primer. These are seated about .004 into the lands. I loaded some 63 grain FB by the late Jef Fowler with the same charge and seated the same. I also loaded some 62gr. FB made by Ronnie Cheek. I understand that Ronnie had a heart attack and has quit making bullets. I will shoot these along with my "control group" with Bart's. I plan to shoot some more at a later date with bullets by the late Lowell Hottenstein, the late Del Bishop, and Ralph Council. I do this as a memorial to those who have passed on and as a tribute to those who no longer make bullets. James

I got out this morning to try the three bullets mentioned. To be fair, I have not worked up a load for either the Cheek or the Fowler. Here are my 3-shot groups at 100 yards.View attachment 1375566

The only competition for accuracy of the Bart 68 gr. Avenger in my old PPC is his old Superman BT 65 gr. I shot both this morning. To be fair the Avenger was shot from a cold, clean barrel.