Mountain Rifle time!

[MountainDevil54]

Took the ol mountain rifle out to 75 yards today with a few loads to try out.

First started off with 80gr Pyrodex RS, 250gr REAL and a lubed wad. Great group! But i did have my 3rd shot fly out a bit so i made sure it was me. Yep, it was me just getting the sights out of alignment thankfully. I did try a stronger load of 100gr Pyrodex RS with this REAL but it opened up more than i wanted so next time i will try 90gr and see if it changes any.



Switched over to the 250gr Harvester Sabertooth with 80gr Pyrodex RS and shot a really good group with them. This rifle really likes the 250gr Conicals. Sorry about the bright picture, i was using a new setting on my camera and it flashed without me seeing it. Shots 2 and 3 are on the right side of the bulls eye with one hitting an old hole from the previous shots with the REAL.


Switched over to the 300gr Sabertooth and thats where things took a crap. The group wasn't good at all. I went down range to look for the plastic bases and only found one! I've had problems in the past with the bases sticking to these bullets the entire way to 100 yards and im thinking this is what causing the poor accuracy. I recovered all the bases from the 250gr Versions so i don't know what the deal is with the 300's.



Tomorrow i may go back out to 75 yards again and try my normal charge of 80gr RS with the 250 REAL and then up it to 90gr RS and see how she does. I'd like to use a heavier charge but if its best accuracy is with 80gr, that's fine.

[mountaineer magic]

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[cayugad]

Use them 200 sabertooth in your inline rifle. They do well. With REAL conicals more powder normally is NOT better. I have a friend that deer hunts with 60 grains and a REAL. Of course our ranges are short range. But he's shot through most deer he's taken. I use 70 grains when I shoot them. Nice rifle. Lots of fun.

[Underclocked]

My experience (very little) with REALs was as Dave indicated. Push them very hard and they start flying of their own will.

[WV Hunter]

With groups like that....you should probably just call it a day and sell it to me.


What model gun is that anyhow? Looks nice.

[bronko22000]

MD, I am pretty sure that 80 gr/250 REAL is the same load that I was shooting out of that rifle and had it shoot good. But our eyes must be different cause as I recall, I was hitting right at 6:00. Maybe being a lefty has something to do with it.
I could kick myself for selling it. It is a nice light rifle. But at least it has found a good home and someone who will take good care of it.

[MountainDevil54]

yep im blind in my right eye LOL. New glasses one of these years.

Im actually going out shooting now so we will see how she does.

[bronko22000]

Originally Posted by MountainDevil54

yep im blind in my right eye LOL. New glasses one of these years.

Im actually going out shooting now so we will see how she does.

Sorry MD, actually I meant that I was a southpaw.

[MountainDevil54]

Got my load down today! 90gr RS with the 250 REAL conical did perfect. First 2 shots were overlapping and then my 3rd shot was just a tiny hang fire that was barely noticeable but caused enough damage to throw the shot just a about a 3/4" high of the first 2 shots.

I also shot some round balls with the hoppes black powder solvent - patch lube. 4 out of 4 shots were touching, the first shot being the one out of the group on a clean bore. Excellent group at 75 yards but the patches were shredded and reloading with the hoppes on the patch was very "sticky" feeling while pushing a ball down. Certainly nothing to really complain about but i do not like the torn patches.

I'll get the pics tonight.

[mountaineer magic]

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