Finally got some quality range time with the Trade Rifle.
3 Days in a row of just working up loads and writing in my little notebook.
This is the result of the work up.
100 yds (known distance)
73 degrees, overcast, slight NE wind ( 5-7 mph)
Never could get a tight group with RBs with the Trade Rifle, gotta be the 1:48 twist.
At 50 yds, the RBs were within 4 inches
At 100, fell apart. Still within the 8" black, but not what you'd call tight. Tried everything from 70 grains to 110. Pillow ticking, Irish linen ( pricey) and premade T/C patches (prelubed).
I cast another batch of the 320 grain REALs ,and baby, with Cayugads lube recipe (thanks Dave!) , I think I found the diet for the Lyman.
These were the best groups (of course) at 100 yds. Lyman 57SML rear and 17A front sights.
I wonder if you ever tried a wad under the patched RB?
I would switch powders I favor 3F goex
I also would make sure do not compress the load
I run the ball just to sit over the powder on top of the wad with a tad of compression
have you inspected your fired patches down range?
2grain charge in the lock pan
water or spit patch between shots
Frontier, never looked for a patch to recover. I guess that would be telltale, wouldn't it?
Lonewolf, I haven't been able to find GOEX locally, and I refuse to pay the $20 Hazmat fee, when Pyrodex, T7 and APP are in abundance here. I did buy some APP. I'm going to have another few days available at the range not next week, but the week after so ....no Pyro, only APP going with me.
Mine is a percussion, so I don't have to deal with a charge pan.
Never used a wad or cornmeal, gonna try that too.
mcawful - that's a fine 3 shot cluster with the 320's! What would you guess the average 5 shot group was during your practice with those 320's? I have a 1:48barrel to try out this Spring and wonder what to expect from it. Thanks.
The average grouping with the REAL 320 gr was ( at 100 yds) right around the 4 inch range. That pic was the tightest group of the afternoon. With a scope it would undoubtably been tighter, but with the peep sight, the 8" target was little more than a dot at 100 yds. 75 was good, 50 yds was even better. I could keep a ragged hole going at 50.
I experimented with different charges, but couldn't tell any real difference in accuracy between 80-90 grains. I chose to stay with the 90 just because of a bit more oomph on impact.
I've never tried a powerbelt.
The only concession concerning projectiles I've made so far is to buy bullets someone else has cast (No Excuses). Otherwise, I've cast my own, just as I do for my .44, my .45 and my 30-06.
Oh, I've reloaded some Sierra Game Kings thinking it'd be an advantage, but at the range that game is taken here in NW Florida (rarely over 100yds,because the brush is so thick) my home cast bullets work great!
I shoot 90 grains of Goex 2f with a moose milk patched .530 roundball in my Flintlock Trade Rifle. It will shoot on average a 4 inch group consistantly. With conicals the Trade Rifle really shines. Mine loves the 405 grain Powerbelts, and the REAL conicals.
That is some nice shooting there. Glad the rifle is working out for you. They sure are a sweet rifle to shoot...
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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."
Trade Rifle, 100 yds, Lyman 57SML sight
