u/Tentative-Interests

The last time I reloaded with any intention was around 2004. I just got set back up to teach my two teenage boys the way of ammunition enlightenment.

Also for no reason… just because.

In 1999 and early 2000, I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a military police officer. It was my first duty station right out of basic training.

One summer day, I was standing guard at the Headquarters Quadrangle of the 5th United States Army. The commanding general, noticing I was in a particular state of distress, relieved me at my post for a few minutes and ordered me to hydrate. When I returned, he gave me my very first challenge coin.

His name was Lieutenant General Robert F. Foley (MOH).

L-R

31-1 32SWL
32-1 38SW “Terrier”
49 38SPL “Bodyguard”
40-1 38SPL “Centennial”

A few years ago, I received this Ruger SFAR 308 as a gift from my father. At the time, I neither had the time nor the place to really sort it out.

Recently, I mounted up a scope and took it to the range… to be immediately disappointed. I’ve never owned a rifle that simply refused to run.

I went back and did a little research to discover that significant break in was required, and that even after, many rifles seemed to suffer from tight chambers and finicky gas systems.

I decided after my research to change… nothing. I simply trudged on through operating failure upon operating failure with all ammo types… expending hundreds of rounds, cleaned it vigorously, and lubricated it excessively.

And then this week… a breakthrough, on two separate occasions. Now it just runs and runs… all ammo types - setting 2 or 3 with no problem whatsoever.

Here’s what I feel like I learned:

I should have saved myself $400.00 of ammunition and spent that money on an upgraded gas block immediately.

This rifle needs to run clean, very clean. It also needs excessive lubrication.

I appreciate the tight tolerances of Ruger production, but all it resulted in was creating a diminishing return on value.

I didn’t buy it… but if I had I would certainly not recommend you do. Spend the extra money on something that runs right from day one.

This was the first handgun I ever purchased. Taurus 415 SS in 41 Mag for $319.99 in 2003 (about $550 in today’s money).

I replaced the factory “squishy” grips fairly early on. I had to send it back to Taurus twice within the first few years, and I later found out failures in this model were common. However, for the last 20 or so years its performed flawlessly.

Does anyone else have one ?

I recently inherited some things from my father, and I was going through them and came across this cylinder.

The throat measures approximately .357
The chamber diameter measures approximately .460
The chamber length is approximately 1.265 from the rear face of the cylinder to the throat.

What caliber is this? And what does the cylinder look like it fits?

A 44 special chambers. It’s almost like it’s a 44 magnum necked down to a 357.