Alright guys, I finally got out there with the smokepole to sight in....here is my setup and I will try to explain results(pics not uploading on my computer for some reason):
50cal Encore, 3X9-50 Leupold.
I just mounted the scope on the other day and boresighted it, after having some repair done to it by Leupold.
Started off with 100gr BH209 @ 50yds shooting up some old 245gr Powerbelts just to get me close.
I moved out to 100yrds and started shooting 250gr SuperGlide Shockwaves. here was the shot pattern:
1st- 3"left. adjusted scope
2nd- 6"high. 2"left.
3rd- 1.5"left. 1"high
didn't like group at all and bumped the powder up to 110gr of BH209
4th- 2"high. 2"left
5th- 4"high. 1"left
6th- 5"high. .5"left
didn't like that group either, was the 10th shot so I swabbed the gun twice with solvent, once dry, and bumped the charge up to 120grBH209
7th- 6"high
8th- 6"high. 1"left
9th- 4"high (kinda starting to like this group)
10th- 6" high. 3" left (still not terrible, decide to stick w/ 120gr, move scope down.)
11th- 4"high. 1" right
12th- 1"right
13th- 1.5"high. 3"right
14th- 1.5"low. 2"right
Not too sure what to think now,that group still isn't the best, although it still seems that the 120gr is grouping better than the 100gr and 110gr,and not really what I was expecting to get with that BH209 and Shockwave combo...kinda frustrating.All I was thinking as the grouping wasn't improving, and I shot all but 1 ofthat new pack of bulletswas, "wow...that is money going down the range today!" Anyhow, any of you experts have any suggestions? Im not real sure which way to go from here. I plan on cleaning her up good and shooting again on Sunday.....maybe back off on the charge? like 90 or 95gr of powder? thanks.
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"when the last deer disappears into the morning mist, and the last buffalo falls on the great plains, I shall hunt mice, for I am a hunter, and my spirit shall always be free"-Sitting Bull
For me that might have been a very frustrating day... I know the Encore will shoot better than that on a bad day....
Suggestion... i would not even worry about shooting a 100 until I can get great groups at 50.... I want it set left and right perfectly and would like all of the shoots to be 1 1/2" above the bull in a very tight group.
I would not even fool with the scope until I had the gun shooting a very tight minimum 3 shot group - where ever that group is hitting. When I can shoot 2 or 3 such groups then I would start adjusting the scope... after scope adjustment shoot another 3 shot group then move again.
When your happy at 50 move to 100...
Hope you get it all worked out...
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Keep on Shooting Muzzleloaders they are a Blast
What Sabotloader said, and - try some GOEX or Pyrodex.
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My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
A couple of other points...Clean, lube and dry the barrel between each shot...You need to have the barrel in the same condition each time or the residue will affect your groups...
Also...Try different sabots...Groups will change with a sabot change, even with the same bullet...
I think one of the biggest errors people make when sighting in is they seem too quick to start moving the scope or sights. If that rifle will not shoot a good group at a moderate distance like 25 or 50 yards, I sure would not expect better at 100 yards. One trouble of course is, some ranges do not offer closer distances. But until I actually work up a solid good shooting load, I am not touching the sight or scope.
I just started sighting in a Genesis. I was using 50 yards. But it would not have been uncommon for me to try 25 even 13 yards. In fact when I mount the scope on the rifle I will probably do my first shooting at 13 yards. If the group is basically a hole at that distance it tells me that the load is working good, and the scope is holding. I then adjust dead to the bull. It would surprise you what happens when you back up to 100 yards without moving that scope hairs. It is real close.
I noticed also you are shooting Superglide sabots. A question... does your rifle load real hard with the regular Shockwave sabots? Sometimes you can get too loose a sabot and it will cause the rifle to spray a little. That might be what you're experiencing. If you have some of the short MMP sabots in .452 around, try switching the Shockwaves into them and shoot a group with 110 grains of BlackHorn 209 just to see what happens. A tighter sabot means a tighter seal, and with Blackhorn that is important.
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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."
My Pro Hunter did the same w/ those super glide sabots. I never was happy. I would give Caygads ideer a shot beofre I went and changed powders and such. Sabots are cheap. One thing at a time. I also started at 50 yards using BH209 and new 50/40 harvesters. Tigh down the barrel, greta power,
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"There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus and upset the convictions and debauch the emotions of an audience not practiced in the tricks and delusions of oratory." --American author and humorist Mark Twain (1835-1910)
The superglides would not group well out of my encore either. Try some hph24,hph12, or the harvester short black. All three of those shot well for me. I didnt like the harvester short blacksthe first time i tried them,but i tried themagain on thursday, and i shot some really nice 100yd groups with them.
Dagum that was a pricey shooting session!
