GOT IN A PRACTICE SESSION YESTERDAY (4/19/19) IN THE AFTERNOON, CLEAR, SUNNY, SLIGHT WIND, 88 DEGREES. SHOT THE 260gr FMJ FP FURY BULLET OVER 26grs OF 296 OUT OF MY BACKUP 5 1/2 INCH LINEBAUGH 45 COLT REDHAWK, OFF A REST, ON PAPER @ 25 YARDS. FIRST 3 SHOT GROUP WAS 1 1/8 INCHES CENTER TO CENTER, SECOND 3 SHOT GROUP HAD 2 SHOTS 1 1/4 INCH CENTER TO CENTER AND A HIGH FLYER (I FIGURE SHOOTER ERROR INDUCED BY THE "HIGH SKY"). A SNAPPY LOAD BUT WITH EASY EXTRACTION. WILL TRY A FEW MORE TODAY AND/OR TOMORROW, AND IF THEY GROUP IN THAT 1 1/4 INCH RANGE I THINK I WILL GO WITH THIS LOAD FOR MY BLACK BEAR HUNT. I HAVE PLENTY OF THE FURY BULLETS, WHICH I HAD CUSTOM MADE WITH THIS APPLICATION IN MIND, SO I MIGHT AS WELL USE THEM. MY PLAN IS TO TRY AND HEAD SHOOT ANY CHARGING BEAR, SO I PRACTICE OFF HAND WITH THIS REVOLVER @ 25 YARDS ON AN 8 INCH GONG.

ALSO DID SOME NORMAL PRACTICE WITH THE MODEL 353, AND SHOT MY HUNTING TWIN OF MY 2 MNP 8 3/8ths INCH 454 STALKERS WITH MY 2017 BARNES BUSTER RELOADS AND WITH SOME NEW BARNES BUSTER RELOADS. BOTH LOADS (F-A CASES WITH 30.3grs OF 296, AND STARLINE CASES WITH 30.4grs OF 296) HAD SOME MINOR STICKY EXTRACTION. I AM NOT EXPECTING 88 DEGREE WEATHER IN ALASKA BUT I THINK I WILL BACK OFF TO 30grs. AT 50 YARDS, OFF A REST, THE STARLINE CASES LOAD GROUPED 3 SHOTS IN 2 1/8th INCHES, WHILE THE F-A LOAD GROUPED 3 IN 3 INCHES. I WAS USING A 2X SCOPE ON A SMALL ORANGE DOT. END OF THE DAY, I BELIEVE THE LOAD WILL BE PLENTY ACCURATE AT 50 YARDS.