Did alot of shootingthis morning. Started with some AP 3fjust to see how it clocked. But the shadows were too long and the chrony wouln't pick them up.AP burned very clean, never even swabbed, each shot loading like the last. I had problems with the AP ingniting consistently. Each shot went off, but each sounded a little different, some kinda dud like. Very mild recoil at 70 grains. Oddly, it was the dud like fires which were printing higher, I don't have the answer for that one. All in all, I was very disappointed in the AP. I don't remember Pinnacle firing like this in the hawken and I do understand them to be the same thing.

After a while, I went to 3f Goex. Was my favorite in the past, and now more than ever. All it takes is some time away from blackpowder in order to gain an appreciation of it. The next three shots with the 3f were cloverleafed at 50 yards (with 70 grains and 270 ballet). When shooting BP, I spit patch (and turn over) and do the same routine with a dry patch after the spit patch. I now loaded a 385 GP with 75 grainsand fired. This time the chrony registered at 1304 fps. I begin adjusting sights to the right as I was shooting left of POA. Next 1326 fps, adjusted sight again. Next 1289 ( i didn't swab that one and loaded difficult) Adjusted sight again. Next 2 at 1317 and 1328 both touching at 50 yards. This is by far the tightest velocity distribution I have ever measured, I was very pleased. Also the velocities were consistently higher than those chronied with the 385 and 75 grains Pyro P. Same volume, higher velocity with the BP.

By now it was getting hot and the barrel was warm. Now out of the GP's I started shooting the BB 410s with WW andusing the same 75 grains 3f Goex. The first I loaded had been loaded before (without a charge) and when it fired it went astray, off about 2.5 inches, but the velocity was 1620 fps! I couldn't believe it. Hmmm. So I loaded another. This one landed near the bullseye and clocked 1581 fps! Loaded anotherwhich printed 1/2" away from the prior and clocked 1566 fps! So far the Buffaloes averaged 1589 and 2275 ft.lbs. The GP's? On the same charge, they averaged 1312 fps and 1473 ft lbs.

I wanted to try 75 yards so I move out with a new target. Next shot 1506 fps but an 1 1/2 below the target, next shot 1470 again an 1 1/2 below the target and separated about 1 1/2" from the previous shot. Decided to adjust the sight up. Next shot 1435, and at about POA elevation but 5" left of bullseye, not on target. I spent quite a bit of time lining out the windage earlier so I was disappointed. Moved the target back to 50 yards. Fired the last to primers I had, 1402 and 1391,they were 2" high and left about 3.25" and separated by 1.25". Now I've got to go through Windage all over again. That rear sight is scewed abit.

The velocity of the BB 410's continued to decrease as I shot. The barrel grew pretty dog gone hot and the temp outside was gettingdownright warmas I shot. Just how that played a role, if it actually did,in the 410's velocity falling off, i don't know. What surprised me is the 410's surprising superior velocity to the 385's on the same charge. I have the sense that the 410s are somewhat sloppy in the Sidekick relative to the 385 GPs. This looseness lets the 410's gain tremendous energy and velocity for the charge used. Possiblythe lube on the BBs contributes something too.

I don't know if this is a good thing or not. I have noticed that I shoot tighter with the GP's. The 410'sseem to besloppier on target at 50 yards and as the range is extended, probably will open at a greater rate than the 385's(in my Sidekick). I really wanted to use the BB 410's for hunting the light 75 grain charge. If I go to the GP 410s, I will have to substantially increase charge to keep impact velocities above 1300 fps at 80 yards. Oh well, we'll learn more next time out.

Happy Hunting, Phil