When you have found the right load to shoot out of your gun? And you still wanna tinker and mess around with it some more, even though you get a sub 1in group at 100 steps. I was thinking of getting a new ML but financially cant at this time so i just get to look at mine and try to figure out what to do next. But it is so close to perfect I hate to mess it up. Like the post about the barrel polishing, I would love to be able to do that just to have something to do, but I am scared it may make my accuracy fall.
When you have a rifle like you described ... the best you can do is make no alterations to it. Don't make any changes to it that would effect the accuracy to it. Instead, since you have a set load you can depend on, and you know what it would take to make the rifle shoot so well.. you can play with different loads, powders, caps, and swab techniques to see if you can find other loads that are as accurate. The best thing is, no matter what happens, you have a set load for the rifle that will do every thing you need. In the mean time, you can save some money on the side and some day purchase another rifle you like.
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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 wouldn't mess with the rifle at all, write down the load - exactly, so you can come back in future years and know what works well.
However, you can still tinker around with other loads as long as you don't make alterations to the gun itself. That's one thing to do. Like working up a long range or short range load, or a varmit load.
Another thing would be to buy a different rifle (different style maybe? - i.e. traditional vs. inline) and have fun with that one.
I wish I had your problem!
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"Speak softly and carry a big stick - you will go far."
-Theodore Roosevelt
In 2 of my knights I have loads that shoot no more than a 2" group at 100yds with 290 gr barnes bullets.I have those loads written down so I know where to come back to as these are my hunting loads. I cant afford to shoot these all year long so I shoot alot of xtps and now gold dots. When ever I see some bullets on sale I will try them out. That is the fun of it. Every now and then during the summer I will shoot the hunting loads to make sure nothing has changed. I dont worry about hitting the bull just making sure the groups are still there. Then later in the fall before hunting season I zero my scope back in for my hunting load. This has worked for me the last few years. Kerry
I keep experimenting...I have one inline, a Knight Disc and I bet I have shot it 4-500 times...I have tried about8-10 different bullets, various sabots, powder charges, different powdersand have compaired different bullet drop from 50-150 yards...I actually have 2 different loadings that I can use based upon whether I am hunting over a field or in the woods...
I have 2 flintlocks, pretty much the same with them, except I do only shoot home cast balls and only Goex FFF...I have done alot of experimenting with lubes and patching material, enough that I'm convinced that that is the number one reason that some guys can't get a sidelock to group...Some days, I just shoot 5 shot groups with 6-7 different lubes...
With my .54, I've shot from 50-120 grains of powder and out to 150 yards...
With the .40, I've shot from 20-75 grains of powder and also out to 150...
When you have found the right load to shoot out of your gun? And you still wanna tinker and mess around with it some more, even though you get a sub 1in group at 100 steps. I was thinking of getting a new ML but financially cant at this time so i just get to look at mine and try to figure out what to do next. But it is so close to perfect I hate to mess it up. Like the post about the barrel polishing, I would love to be able to do that just to have something to do, but I am scared it may make my accuracy fall.
I just shoot for groups and never move my scope settings.I take pictures of each of my 5 shot groups, and I name my files somethinglike this:
When it gets closer to hunting season, I move my sights to 3" high at 100 yards, that gives me a MBPR of about 200 yards with the Barnes Origonal for example. Just shoot for groups, and don't worrry about adjusting. My guns works fine like that. Chap
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Chapman Gleason
Purcellville Va
http://www.the-gleasons.com
If you can't afford to buy another gun, I would suggest experimenting with different loads. Or, if you're like me, you can find some cheap bullets, such as XTP's, and experiment with different target mediums. For example, this summer I intend to find out how a 250 gr. XTP would perform on prairie dogs and jackrabbits at varying distances. I think the results might be interesting, definately worth testing anyway.
Vince
Once you find a good shooting load - great. Just write it down so you don't forget it. Tinker all you want with different charges and bullets. But don't mess with the barrel (polishing, lapping, etc. ) Just keep it clean between shooting sessions.
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