Today according to the weather man might be the only half way warm day to shoot as they are calling for an arctic freeze to hit the area with temperatures of possible -30º below. But I will have to see it to believe it.
Today was 12 above and overcast. In fact it was snowing pretty good out there. And a little wind, but nothing a person could not stand. So I loaded up a bunch of "Lane tubes" with 100 grains of Triple Seven 2f and 100 grains of Pyrodex RS and grabbed some 300 grain Hornady XTPs in .452 with some black Harvester crushed rib sabots.
I decided to shoot the traditional mode today. So I grabbed a Thompson Center Black Mountain Magnum off the shelf (it was that or a New Englander), and headed out to the range.
The target was set at 50 yards, and with the over cast sky the fiber optic sights showed up pretty good actually.
I fowled the barrel to be fair and then did a swab with alcohol. I also ran a couple of dry patches and then for safety, popped a musket cap through it, as this has a musket cap ignition.
I started with the Triple Seven 2f powder and was holding 6 o'clock on that back square. The Triple Seven is marked with the blue felt pen. I shot 1&2 and was happy with the group. So I swabbed the barrel with alcohol again, but forgot the dry patches. I also never popped another cap through it. Well #3 was a real old fashion hang fire.
I then shot 4&5 with out swabbing and again it grouped real good. So I swabbed, dry patched, and popped a cap and shot 6&7. I want to admit, I adjusted my POA for 6&7 and that is why they are not in the group. But again, I was only swabbing every second or third sometimes shot. But there was a hard crud ring building in the rifle.
I then switched over to Pyrodex RS 100 grain. I swabbed the barrel clean with alcohol, I dry patched, and popped a cap. #1 hit high and right in the corner of the black square. I was not really shocked by that as I had no idea where they would hit. I was holding a true 6 on the black square.
I then swabbed and shot 2-4 without swabbing. (my fingers get cold when I have to take my gloves off). And the group was very good. But I did notice even with the pyrodex I was getting a good build up. BUT I decided to shoot two more without swabbing. 5&6 starter to move away from the group, and I am almost 100% sure it was because of the fowling.
At least I got a little shooting in before the cold weather hits.. if it is going to.. This Black Mountain Magnum is sure a nice shooting rifle. Looking at the barrel, I would almost swear it is nothing more then a traditional model Black Diamond. It has a 1-28 twist and even the funny breech on the end like the Black Diamond. Also they claim it will shoot pellets. But it does so well with the pre measured "Lanes tubes" that I see no reason to waste my pellet supply. I have other plans for them.
Shooting before the cold snap hits.
