Thanks for the responses folks.

I'm satisfied with that load as-is for hunting, but can't resist the urge to tinker a bit more. Truth is, that's probably close to the best I can do with my "corrected" eyes & the stock sights. Don't get me wrong, I love the TC sights for hunting, but they're clearly not the best for benchrestin'. And who knows, maybe I'll stuff some wads in there & get the elusive ragged hole.

cayugad, that's good to hear that a similar load produces the same results for you, helps me believe it was no fluke. I figure 90 grains fffg is about equal to 100 grains ffg, and my patches are the same thickness.

Semi, you are speaking my language man- cheap! I've nothing at all against conicals, just seems that a .54 roundball ought to take care of just about anything I'm liable to run up against in the Kentucky woods. And I can mold twice as many from a pound of lead. Well, once the .530 mold gets here... got the .490 & a Lee melter, .530 is on the way.

Gonna try some more lubes too, bore butter works great in both my guns but would rather use something home-brewed. Who knows how much longer TC will be a player in the traditional game.