Well, I'm back from my week in the woods and while I did shoot the '58 w/R&D conversion, for several reasons, I didn't shoot it as much as I had hoped. Part of the problem was that the gun's loading lever popped open every shot or two. I thought I had solved this problem, but apparently have more work to do. The latch just does not engage enough to take the recoil of most loads. It will take the 250gr LRNFP over Trailboss loaded to ~610 fps, but I only had a few of those. The other load was the same bullet and powder loaded to shoot ~710 fps and that popped the latch most shots. I need to either mill or file the latch for better engagement.
One of the other problems was all the guns available to shoot. Must have been 25 guns for 11 guys. Hadda try this and hadda try that.
It all takes time.
The other problem was the 5000+ acre forest fire a mile or so from camp.
That was scary enough that we kept half our equipment loaded back onto the vehicles for a few days in case we needed a quick getaway. While this was going on, my neighborhood back home was subject to voluntary evacuation due to the 4000+ acre Napa fire.
Seems I spent two days constantly driving the 15 miles to get cell signal, talk to the wife and try and determine whether I should head home or not.
All and all, a good trip, but rather stressful.
Now I really need to go fix the Pietta.