Boxing Day GPR Shoot

HuntAway · 12-26-2011, 12:07 PM

The peep sight I ordered for my .54 GPR Flintlock came in last week. I put it on and rough sighted it over the RMC V-Peep that was on the rifle. I was going to start close to the paper (15yd) but I want to at least be close to hitting it.

So Christmas is over and with the ham weighing heavy in my belly I got out to the pit for some shooting today.

I was shooting off my table, a concrete block with 2 sand bags made from old pant legs on top of the block.

The first target was at 15 yds.

Encouraged with the nice 3 shot hole, I backed off to 50 yds without touching the sights.

Shot 1&2 then adjusted my sights. Shot 3&4 and adjusted again. Shot 5 was in the bull. I figured this was a bit low so I adjusted my sights once more to raise my POI.

Then I fired for effect. Still off the bags.

Now I must tell a sort of embarrassing story here.

The first 4 shots were as good as it gets for me and a flinter. I was feeling pretty c0(ky now and I loaded my 5th shot. Well I got a FITP. No worry. Clean the pan and flint, recharge the pan. Get set back up. Pffft.

a second FITP. Not impressed at all. So once again I clean the pan and flint, cleant the vent with a brush and recharge the pan. I get set to shoot and.......^&*((!!@!

a 3rd FITP!!!!!!!!!!!! So this time I clean everything as before, then a light came on. I grabbed my paperclip that I use as a vent pick and tap it inside the vent. Hmmmmm, that is awfully hard in there.

I had dryballed my 5th shot.

So I got my EC Unloader and proceeded to discharge the patch and ball. Reload, this time with some powder first. Recharged the pan and promptly destroyed what was looking to be a real great 5 shot grouping.

Well with the group destroyed but confident the sights were on, I proceed to my 3 shot off hand shoot.

Well with less than stellar results I still have some work to do. Going to start with lowering the POI down into the center of the bull. Then try the off hand again.

Beauty day out today. Overcast, light wind and about 22`F

HA

cayugad · 12-26-2011, 01:10 PM

Now that sounds like a fun day. That GPR is a good rifle and a GREAT flintlock. Mine is the GPH model but I might have to get a GPR to keep it company.

I would have shot today but there were gale force winds around here. Nice and warm mind you.. 41 degrees. But the wind was so strong it ripped the doors open on my wood working shop that were being held closed by a hasp and padlock. Pulled the hasp screws and part of the door right off the door. Just too windy for my liking.

HuntAway · 12-26-2011, 01:54 PM

It was a beauty day for shooting. Even though I only creased the paper on my third shot the size of the group would only be about 3 inches. I just have to get them in the black.

I might get one of the GPH's one of these day's. I think they come in LH Percussion. Too bad they don't come in LH Flint just RH Flint.....Maybe I should send Lyman a letter to see what they can do about that.

HA

3seasons · 12-26-2011, 01:57 PM

That seems like a typical range session. I just got myself a GPR caplock and am curious-is yours a front blade site? I've got some work to do myself, why I ask. Is that 80gr your sweet spot?
Wanted to shoot today also but Cayugad & I must have had the same weatherman today; nothing but strong, gusty winds here which would stop 'til I was certain it was over then whooosh-more gusts. Rain tomorrow...

HuntAway · 12-26-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3seasons

That seems like a typical range session. I just got myself a GPR caplock and am curious-is yours a front blade site? I've got some work to do myself, why I ask. Is that 80gr your sweet spot?
Wanted to shoot today also but Cayugad & I must have had the same weatherman today; nothing but strong, gusty winds here which would stop 'til I was certain it was over then whooosh-more gusts. Rain tomorrow...

To be honest with you, I tried to cheat the system and went right to 100 gr 2f or 3f and was having eratic results. I partly blamed it on the sights, powder volume and shooter. So I went back to basics. I'm interested in a hunting load that is accurate as well has enough thump to get the job done. From what I have read 80 gr seems to have plenty of both so that is where I started after putting on the peep.

From what I saw today with the 4 shots

I think it might very well be a sweet spot for this rifle.

As for the front sight. I had replaced the original with a fibre optic front sight that had come with the RMC V-Peep Sight. I like them so I left it on when I put the Lyman Peep on it.

The round ball are Hornady .535, the patches I got from ToW and they are .018 Ox-Yoke Originals Wonder ticking 1000 Plus size .50-.59 thk, powder is Goex 3F with Goex 4F prime.

HA

Semisane · 12-26-2011, 07:10 PM

That's coming along quite nicely HuntAway. I think you followed the correct procedure - refuse to acknowledge the possibility of a dryball until you've fired at least three pans of prime. That's what I do anyway.

Are you using a 6 o`clock hold on the bull with that FO front sight, or a center bull hold?

HuntAway · 12-27-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semisane

That's coming along quite nicely HuntAway. I think you followed the correct procedure - refuse to acknowledge the possibility of a dryball until you've fired at least three pans of prime. That's what I do anyway.

Are you using a 6 o`clock hold on the bull with that FO front sight, or a center bull hold?

It's so hard to admit publicly but it is what it is. lol

I sit the bull on top of the bead. 6 o'clock or at least that is my intent upon firing.

HA