Another one of those days, but ended good

[MountainDevil54]

Took the 54 mountain rifle out, fired my first shot with the new .018 pillow tick and was 1 & 1/2" low @ 100 yards but dead center. I went to load another round and it felt like someone had poured cement down the barrel and let it dry. I had gone 7-8 months with the wood ramrod "longest lasting wood ramrod to date for me" And it snapped right in half while fighting down the next load.[:@]

Walk back to the house to get my plastic ramrod and then find a 2x4 so i can help the ball down. Got it loaded finally and took the shot. I was pretty PO then, and hadnt been feeling well previously. i hit 3" to the left of the first shot.

After cleaning i just got sick of having to fight those patches down in that barrel. I kept looking up at my brand new .58 hanging on the rack and said To hell with it!

The .58cal barrel now wears all of the 54cal barrels trim and stock,lock. everything!

loaded 2 tubes up and went outside with the 58 but still shooting a .530" round ball. I used Two .020 patches for a snug fit *very safe fit* and shot my target at 25 yards. Surprisingly i had put the sights on perfect! Dead center but 4" low. 2 shots measured 2" and i figured maybe more powder right?

Run in and get, 3 powder tubes with 100gr Pyrodex RS, two .020" patches and then some .532" wheel weight round balls. Go back outside and fire my first shot, Right next to my first shot of the day. After 3 shots it was a 1/2" group but still 4" low. I gave it a kiss and then took her inside and adjusted the sights up about 4 turns and am going to take her out to 70 yards and 100 yards tomorrow AM!!!

That barrel is so smooth inside. I havent shot a sidelock before this one that loaded so nicely.

After tomorrows range shooting i am going to get to work on the other stock i have and get it into shape so i can remount the .58 on that one.

[cayugad]

I wonder why that .54 caliber is acting up onyou. Do you think it is the patch? And I take it, you're not swabbing between shots, but then I hate to swab when shooting traditional roundball.

[bronko22000]

MD - Its been a while since I shot PRB but have you experimented with the patches. Did you try some .015" or even .010"? And start with a fouled barrel.

[MountainDevil54]

i have always used the TC prelubed .015 patches but this new package i opened the patches are total crap. they have a tight weave on the outside and then big loose threads in the center. They blow right out.

I plan on buying some .016 pillow ticking, that should fit the 54. Im just not going to waste any more $$ of those prelubed patches. Pisses ya off when you spend $8 on them and they are now good.

[MountainDevil54]

welp no shooting report. brakes on my truck are way out of adjustment and i cant get the star adjuster to move to unlock them[:@] That took up the entire day and i got no where on it.