Ok, ok, here’s the final review, in all its glory and shame. This project was challenging indeed, as there is not a lot of info on this particular cartridge using modern powder recipes, and also trying to come up with accurate loads that were acceptable to the user. So, here we go!!

First off, allow me to assemble the particulars: First, is a re-chambered 405 Win. Competitor barrel that was altered by Mike Sirois of On Target Technology fame. He took the barrel, cut the lug and the threads off, re-installed an Encore lug, cut the extractor assembly and EDM’ed a chamber based on 3 dummies that I had sent to Magnum Mike some time ago. The work itself is outstanding. It remained a bull barrel setup, but it’s diameter is smaller than a normal Encore barrel at the breech end. That said, there is a small gap on each side of the barrel and frame when the action is closed. Never have to worry about unsightly hinge marks on this puppy!!! Lock-up “seemed” to be nice and tight, and very little effort was needed to open the action upon reloading. The barrel length is approx. 14” and the scope base was the original Competitor one so as to use the same holes.

Second, was the only scope I had at the time that was not being used--- a 2x7 NcStar. Well at least it would be a good recoil test for sure of these inexpensive scopes.

Third, was the forearm. Well, since this is a straight bull barrel, and the diameter is smaller as I mentioned, the normal pistol forend would not work. So I decided to use one of my Ole Georgia Jim forends from the group buy. Next problem, how to attach it since the hangar bar was for the “contoured” barrels. I contacted Steve Stratton of Virgin Valley Custom Guns and asked for a donation of a bull barrel bar and stated that it would be presented in a product review. He was gracious enough to accept, however, he did say it may take awhile as they were having more being made as we spoke. It did arrive during the last week of the test, and will be put to the test for the final “shoot”. VVCG’s hangar bar is of good quality, and fit as it was made to.

I knew I could not wait on the one from Steve, so right off the bat I figured that I would make my own. Using some 5/16 keystock, and some sweat, after 2 tries, I had a bar that I was satisfied with. Mounted the Ga. Jim forend and fit pretty durn good if I do say so myself. The barrel was now completely free-floated.

Fourth, Starline Brass was ever so helpful, as Donna sent right out to me 100 brand new 40-65 cases at no charge. Fifth, was the 40-65 dies that I was already using for my 40-65 Competitor. See, ole’ Mikey was smart on this one. He knew I already had dies, bullets and powder, since I was playing with loads for the Competitor. So it was easy to offer me the test to cut down on the final expenses when I turn my report in!!! LOL!

So I now had everything to get started, and here is how it went:

I loaded up my first batch to try using some different casts that Mike had sent me. I had to be careful in the loading technique because of the tight chambers that Mike S. cuts. This also meant that I would not be able to interchange loaded rounds between my Competitor and the OTT barrel. All brass was full length sized first and checked for length. After I loaded each case, I checked it for fit in the chamber. I made the adjustments where necessary on the dies, and have not had to worry about chambering issues since. Some of you may remember the problems I was having working up loads in my Competitor. I would have un-burnt powder left in each case after firing. After talking to some, I had to increase the powder charge, apply a heavier crimp, and try using magnum primers. Well, I did all 3 right off the bat, and that really helped a lot. And when using jacketed bullets, it then became a non issue altogether.

I headed out to the range for the first time to try things out. First was recoil!!!! Not too bad at all, considering I started out light and knew I would be working up in powder charges. As I said, load data is almost nonexistent, and I don’t have a chrony, so all I could base the loads on was recoil, accuracy, and ease of extraction of the spent cases. All cases through-out the testing process just fell out, so I could load them even higher if I, or the “owner” of this barrel wanted. (we’ll go into this later!!) Also, the use of the Ga. Jim forend and Cayle’s rest really made each range session enjoyable and helpful in the accuracy and consistency of testing. The first group shot showed signs right off the bat that this was going to be a fun shooting barrel.

Accuracy was ok to start, but it gave me a “base platform” on which to begin. I moved to the second round of loads on that opening day, and this is where the OTT drew its first victim!!!! The 2x7 NcStar was dead as you can see in pic.

That ended the first days testing, so I just shot shot the rest of what I had, not for accuracy, but just to get used to the feel of the barrel itself. Off to home to tumble and see just what a chore I may have in resizing. Well, to my surprise, it turned out to be the easiest ever. Since OTT Mike cut the chamber on 3 dummies from my sizer, it was so easy that I do not even have to lube a single case!!!!! Just full length resize, hardly any effort on the ram, and the primer pops right out. Can’t get any easier than that, Huh?!!

The second range session included nothing but “casts” again, but with a higher charge level. Again, recoil was very manageable as it was just a little muzzle rise and a firm push back. Groups were good at the start and I was trying 3 different powders as well. AA2520, R15, and IMR 4064 were tried. All cases just fell out at the tip-up of the barrel. All powder was burned and no signs of excessive pressure were seen. AA2520 did leave a lot of residue in the chamber. Between each powder I used, I just ran a couple of dry patches thru the bore to get rid of most of the gunk. Shot 20 rounds of each and could have gone on longer if I would have brought more. About half way thru, the groups started to open up and could not figger out why. When I loaded up another round and set the gun on Cayle’s rest, I could see the forend wiggle. Here, the front screw of the hangar bar had come loose. I did not have the tools at the range to fix this, so I just shot the rest to get more of a feel. At home when I was done, I removed the front hangar bar screw and found out it had bottomed out on me. I ground off about 1-1/2 threads, and then it was snug. When resizing the spent cases, again no lube was used and none was needed. Gotta’ like that!!!!! For the third session, I was going to go with nothing but jacketed bullets. I got 5oo of the “blems” from Midsouth. .405caliber, 300gr. Spireponts. See pic. #5 Kool looking round for sure!!!!

Ok, for the 3rd range session, I had 3 boxes of 20 of the SP, each loaded with the same 3 powders as in the second test . This is where this gun really shines, as you can see from the pics--#6 to #8.

IMR 4064 has proven to be the best powder so far. Recoil was really no more than the casts, although I knew the pressure was higher as these are sized to .411 and the bore is at .410. These were a blast to shoot and could have gone a lot longer if I had brought more. I did notice with the action open, and even closed that there was a little wiggle at the hinge area. Upon coming home and giving the barrel a thorough cleaning, which did not take much, I left out the factory pin and used an oversized pin from Bellm. Oiled it and tapped it right in. No wiggle or movement, either open or closed!!!! Yes!!!!! Now all should be good to for the final range session. These included some more of the “blems” and some casts as well. Hopefully all the variables are now removed and some real accuracy should be seen.

Well, the final range session is over!!! Boy I had a lot of fun and fits on this whole project, but I hope some good info can be passed on to that “special” someone who will be the new owner of this fine shooting barrel. The final testing consisted of 3 different loads using 1 new powder for some 255 gr. Gas checks….W748. and the other 2 loads were using the 2 most accurate powders so far…IMR 4064 and H4895. As you can see in pic. #9 using the casts, accuracy is ok to me, but I really think that I am driving them too fast.

Perhaps somewhere down the line, a powder like Bluedot might work for low velocity paper punching. The next load was the 300 gr. SP over H4895. See pic. #10 The best accuracy so far of any load. And again, all cases just fall out and there is no indication of any primer problems.

Charge weight can be increased, In fact, before I turn this barrel over to the new owner, I plan on doing a “ramp” test using 4064 and increasing charge weights from a known amount already, and increasing each load by .5 of a grain and see how much she’ll take, and also to see if accuracy is affected. For the final load shot was again the 300 gr. SP over IMR 4064, and as you can see in pic. #11 the gun has found a load and powder it really likes!!!

Too bad on the 7th shot the forearm screw sheared off leaving only the VVCG hangar bar attached to the barrel. It must have been a faulty screw as it was brand new and only used this one time with the VVCG hangar bar.

I want to thank Magnum Mike for the opportunity to do this test and make the results available to all of you fellow members. This gun is a breeze to shoot. It goes off with authority and you know it!!! Due to it being a “bull’ barrel setup, you would need the proper forend to utilize it for hunting, as the Ga. Jim one that I used is only good for benchwork due to its size. It is super easy to load for since not a drop of lube is needed…Thanks Mike Sirois!!!! And frankly, it is not even close to its potential. I really do wish I had a chrony to help give a more detailed account of all powders and bullets tried, but alas, that would mean that I would have to give up a barrel to justify its purchase, and that is not likely going to happen. Hope you enjoyed my little “tale”!!! Oh, by the way, take a guess who the new owner of the 40-65 OTT is going to be……..????
Jeff Bright

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