Post
by stork » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:43 am
I concur with Bullseye. The wood type isn't critical. I've got 2 bases for mine. Nothing wrong with the first, I started using a different cement bench to c-clamp it onto and it was a bit deeper. Yes, make sure it's 1" thick. This base must be solid and not bounce any more than is absolutely necessary.
Several things you may already know, but they're worth repeating.
1. The Ransom Rest (RR)will NOT show you the best your pistol will shoot. It will show you the average to poorer than average group size. I can shoot one or two tighter groups off the bags with my pistols, I just can't shoot two or three dozen. Therein lies the advantage of the RR. It never gets eye strain, or tired, or stabs the trigger etc, etc, etc. Just remember to compare RR groups to RR groups, not RR groups to hand held groups. I do the final testing of a promising load with a hand hold.
2. Don't make the mistake of inserting the pistol, tightening everything up and then test groups. It may take 10-50 rds to seat the pistol into the grip adapters. Take along 20-50 rds of sacrificial ammo.
3. The bench you mount the RR to must be solid as a rock. If you lean against the bench while testing or shift your weight in the middle of a string, your results will be skewed.
4. Keep your grip adapters in air tight zip lock bags. It seems to keep them in better shape.
5. Never touch the pistol when moving it back to battery, if you do you may have just shifted the pistol in the grip adapters. Use the wing on the base.
6. Bury the first round out of the magazine into the berm. I don't know for sure but my thought is that the first round chambered by hand seats differently and hits to a different point of impact.
7. I normally shoot 10 shot groups. Don't shoot 5 and 5. I shoot 4-drop the magazine while the pistol is back in the recoiled position and insert the fresh magazine-then move the pistol back into battery. I then shoot 5-fill the magazine with the next load to be tested-put the pistol back into battery-shoot the 10th round-then readjust the zeroing for my next load test. I continue this until I'm done testing that pistol.
8. I'm sure your instructions say the same thing mine did 20+ years ago, but never oil or lubricate the friction plates. A friend of mine did that with his 2 years ago and immediately his groups went wild. He had to get new friction plates. Oil never goes near it now.
9. Don't yank on the trigger bar. Do it the same as a disciplined shot. Move the lever slowly and steadily to the rear.
10. Don't overtighten the plates to the pistol. My testing has consisted of 1911's, High Standards, Ruger MKII's (no 22/45 polymer frames), and S&W K frames. In the case of 1911's, High Standards, and Rugers you can tighten the pistol tight enough to bind the movement of things that should be moving in the firing sequence.
11. In the case of 1911's. Test your best loads with a different # spring, both heavier and lighter. You may be pleasantly surprised.
More to follow as I remember them.
FWIW
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.” – George Washington
