Shadowfox- I shoot a 700ml (50 cal.) musket cap-100 gr. loose rs pyrodex with a 295 copper powerbelt-3x9x40mm-tasco wide angle. I sighted mine in on 9 power at both 50 and 100yds. At 50 yds. I sighted at 2 in. high and at 100 yds. without any changes I was shooting 4 in. high-where I hunt my shot will never be greater than this so I brought my sight down so I was dead on at a 100yds. my eyes are so bad that if I tried to use a 4 power at 100yds. the whole target would be blurry to me and my group of shots would be horrible unless I was at 9 power. I shoot off a bench at the range and use sand bags. You mentioned you sighted in at 50 yds, where were you at a 100yds? This 700 barrel I have with the load I mentioned and this inexpensine Tasco will shoot 2 in. groups at a 100yds.-I do run a brush down the barrel about every 5 or 6 shots but thats all-I have shot a 20 round pack at the range without even running 1 patch down the bore- I think before I blame my PowerBelt or my 700 I would try a different scope on your gun-maby a friend could loan you one-see If you can get a 3x9 -let me know how you make out-your and my equipment is the same except for the scope!!