When I first got the rifle it was very accurate. Several thingshappened to interfere with my shooting over the next few years and by the time I got back to doing much shooting I had forgotten all the load combinations the rifle liked. Now that I have some time to get out again I'm finding out that my eyes aren't as good as they were 10 or 15 years ago. I tried a scope on the NewEnglander and discovered the rifle is still capable of very good accuracy, but just don't like a scope on a sidelock. I finally selected the "peep" sights as my best option for seeing both the sights and the target at the same time. 1" at 25 yards isn't great, but for my eyes and after several years of not much shooting it's encouraging. What's even more encouraging (for that rifle as a hunting rifle possibility) is that with 80 grains of ffg Goex and a 325 grain Lee REAL it's close to being the same point of impact as with the round ball and 80 grains of fffg Goex. The ball is a little high but I'm hoping with some load adjustment I can get them close enough to be able to shoot either without adjusting sights. I did try one shot at an old plastic quart oil bottle at 100 yards yesterday - and actually hit it!