I decided to do a little shooting today (36 conicals down the drain from that box). I tested Swiss 3f, Graf's 3f, Pyrodex P, Triple Se7en 3f, and finally Triple Se7en 2f (in that order). My intention was to shoot five shot groups of each powder but got carried away with some of them.
The 70 gr of Swiss 3f shot real well. The first shot out of the rifle on a clean barrel kind of surprised me though. It hit very low. After that the Swiss started laying them right in the bull. I was not using a wad. In fact I did not use a wad on any of the powders tested. Counting that first low shot, I actually shot eight rounds at that upper right corner bulls eye. I did throw one of them I think a little high. I then swabbed the barrel.
I then loaded 70 grains of Graf's 3f powder. I noticed some strange things about this powder. While it shot well on a clean barrel, if you did not swab the bore it threw the shot. I fired ten rounds at that upper left corner bulls eye. Five were swabbed and five were second shots. As long as I swabbed between shots it put them right on the bull. If I did not swab, there was no telling where it would hit. Also there seemed to be a hard fowling being made in the barrel but the strange thing is, the fowling was above the conical. And if you loaded without swabbing you could feel that fowling with little problem. I then swabbed the barrel clean.
I then loaded 70 gr of Pyrodex P. I was shooting at the lower right bulls eye. Normally Pyrodex P shoots real well out of the Ultra Mag but this time it did not hold a pattern. When I finally checked my notes, I discovered I use a wad with Pyrodex P. Since I did not bring wads to the range, I did not bother to get any. I shot seven rounds total of the Pyrodex P. I then swabbed the barrel.
Next I loaded 70 gr of Triple Se7en 3f and was shooting at the center bulls eye. I fired five shots. I was very pleased with the group from the 3f T-7. I also did not have the heart to risk a group that tight.. I then cleaned the barrel.
My final load was Triple Se7en 2f I fired six shots. I had a good group going with the first five and then had to get too full of myself and threw the last one out of the bull. But overall I was pleased with the way the powder shot.
All shooting was at 50 yards off a single bag rest..
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
I just shot 50 yards with the last 5 sabots I had. My shot with 100 grains didn't register on target--it shot low for some reason. Then I boosted the power and added 10 grains (110) and shot a 2.5 inch 4 shot group.
It's nice once you get to know a gun, ain't it?
It was perfect weather as well and perfectly calm. I couldn't ask for a better day.
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Browning BPS shotgun, Browning Rage One bow, TC Omega muzzleloader, Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag pistol, Gamo Shadow 1000 pellet gun, Winchester Model 12 pump shotgun
It was a little windy here today, but the wind was at my back so it was not a factor. The big problem I had was with the standard power CCI #11 caps. I had two that went off without enough spark to ignite the powder charge. But you're right, I have confidence in the White Ultra Mag I shoot. I would not worry about hunting anything with that rifle.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Dave, maybe you stated it somewhere and I missed it, butwere you shooting 500 Bullshops? I can't believe the consistent accuracy you get with that load of 777 3F. That is a sub MOA 5 shot group the wayI see it.
I have only shot 777 in 2F, but will definitely get some 3F to test at the same time as the Swiss 3F.
I normally always shoot the 500 gr BullShop conicals. Which I was doing today. They have such good down range energy that I really like them, plus I get such good accuracy out of them that they are kind of a favorite with me. Although I just ordered500 of the 460 gr to try with different things. They should be here any day.
I also shoot the 560 gr that Dan makes and they shoot real good. I have about five of them left and one of these days I am going to shoot them off. The 70 gr seem to be a favorite level with the 3f powder, but with the 2f I move to 80 gr.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Testing powders in the White UM
I then cleaned the barrel.
