(I originally posted this on another Muzzleloading site, however I thought it might interest some members here as well...)
Jeff
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Hit the range on Friday afternoon for the first time since the Hog Hunt. As many of you may know this was also my first range session since receiving the gun back from testing at Savage. My primary goal was to test a number of new load combinations, knowing full well that doing so would mean regularly shooting from a warm/hot barrel. While this may seem like an unfair/unscientific method of testing, I was more concerned with discerning "general" accuracy of the loads vs establishing exact pinpoint data.
All I can say is "Hallelujah""Finally, I left the range extremely happy with the results not just from any one load, but in almost all of the loads in general.
The loads I shot were all shot with either 41gr N-110, or 57gr n-120.
The bullets I shot were 250 SST, 250 TMZ, 275 XPB, 290 TMZ, 300 SST.
The only combination that provided what I would consider as "poor" results was 290 TMZ / 57gr N-120. However, I must admit I only shot 4 shots with this combo. That group was close to 3". Clearly, I will not pass judgment solely on this limited test.
I also spent a good deal of time attempting to quantify how much effect a hot barrel was having on various loads...for example I shot this group 250 SST / 41 gr N-110 starting with a cold barrel and very little time between shots. Needless to say the barrel was very hot by the fourth shot...
Here is the results of 250 TMZ / N-110 shot in a slightly slower but somewhat similar fashion"Notice the original 3 shot group was 1.4" even with a warm barrel. Other 3 shot groups with this load were also all under 1.5".
Throughout the day I also had 5 separate instances where 2 shots out of a 3 shot group looked like this".
Most importantly I have finally found a great all around accuracy load for my gun"Thanks to Pat Allen.
275 XPB 57gr N-120, Short Black MMP
With out doing any adjustments to this load, Pats combo consistently shoots right around an inch".Even without allowing any time for cooling!
This group was my last 3 shot group of the day, taken in rapid succession, with no cooling, after I had already shot 45 rounds through the 10ml, and a box of shells through my Savage 210. ( My point being I was already bit tired to say the least)
Same load, allowing the barrel to cool slightly between shots".
Needless to say I am very impressed with this load, especially considering I have not even "tweaked" it all yet for my gun!
Finally, great to have the HB living up to its abilities...
Hallelujah"
Range Report...
