new gun not shooting so good

skyler4321 · 09-25-2006, 08:56 AM

My first rifle was a used Lightning bolt with a nickel barrel synthetic stock. It would get 2" groups at 100 yards. Shooting 295 Powerbelts with 100 to 150 grains RS.

I just got a new (98 model never fired) Lightning Fire with a stainless barrel and laminated stock. Put the Leopold quick release scope mounts on it and 209 ignition. Started shooting it with hornaday 240 grain with sabots and 2 777 pellets. I also used 0.490 round balls with 0.015 pre lubed patches and 35 grain 777.

I would run a lubed patch after every shot and the barrel did not feel smooth as the projectiles were pushed in. I could feel varying amounts drag. Especially a two" spot about half way.

Got it shooting pretty well at 25 yards and when it went to 50 yards it was 3" off.
I have never used sabots before. I loaded them with a cleaning jag that seamed to fit the bullet. I don"™t know if this was the right tool. I forgot to look at the used sabots and shot patches. I could observe some slight fraying to the lubed cleaning patch.

I sure appreciate any help with this.
Thanks

jaybe · 09-25-2006, 09:37 AM

The cleaning jag is quite often the tool that is on the ramrod, or should be used for loading projectiles. Some pointed bullets have a special loading tip that's used to keep from deforming the nose of the bullet.
It sounds like your barrel has one or more rough spots in it. Assuming that you can't see it with a light, you can verifyit by running a cotton ball swatch through to see if any fibers are left in the bore - or pulled loose from the swatch.
If that proves to be true, you might try getting some JB Bore Paste and runningit on a patchthrough for 20-30 strokes to see if it helps. If it helps, but doesn't completely cure the roughness, run another patch through with the paste for another 20-30 strokes.
Many guys recommend shooting a box (20-25) concials through your bore as a way of working out some of the roughness as well. You can get the Buffalo Ball-ets reasonably cheap, or use the Great Plains Conicals - or another popular brand.
Once you get your barrel smooth, you still may have to try a couple of diffeent sabots with those bullets to get the combination that groups the best. If they're loading real tight, try the Harvester Crush Rib sabots. If they're quite loose, I've found Knight sabots to be a bit tighter than Hornady's. You'll probably get more advice on this, so read it all, then try what works best for you.
Good Luck

EDIT: I just read Triple Se7en's post following this one. I missed that bit about a lubed patch being used between shots - good pick-up T7. Manyshooters use a patch moistened (and squeezed out)with a 50/50 mixture of regular (blue) winshield washer solution and Isopropyl alcoholbetween shots. I like to run one down and back out, then flip it over and do it again. That usually cleans enough residue out of the barrel to load the next sabot. If not, do it with another patch, or use a dry patch. Lube in a barrel, as T7 said, is usually NOT good with sabots. Always strive for a clean, dry barrel.

Triple Se7en · 09-25-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: skyler4321

I also used 0.490 round balls with 0.015 pre lubed patches and 35 grain 777.

I would run a lubed patch after every shot and the barrel did not feel smooth as the projectiles were pushed in. I could feel varying amounts drag. Especially a two" spot about half way.

I could observe some slight fraying to the lubed cleaning patch.

After following the fine advice from poster Jaybe, throw that Bore Butter or Wonderlube 1000 lube in the garbage (or) put it in your Possibles Box for use on days when you are shooting roundballs-only.

Not recommended for use with sabot/bullets. Could be what's holding you back.

[size=2]
Keep Your Powder Dry Folks
. . . . . . . Joe [/i]

eldeguello · 09-25-2006, 11:46 AM

Exactly what do you mean when you say "it was 3" off"?? I assume you know that what matters is the size of the group, and if the group is good, you can move it anywhere you want on the target by adjusting the scope...it is not likely that the point of impact will stay the same between 25 yards and longer ranges like 50, 75, or 100 yards,if that is what you mean.