Was reading past posts late last night as this pillow ticking deal was really bugging me. Found some good info, the most pertinent of which, as always, is when troubleshooting begin w/ the basics.

These are 30 yd shots:


1-4 used Remington .490 ball w/ T/C precuts spitpatched. Not good.
5&6 were same patch w/ an unknown ball
7&8 same ball w/ pillow ticking-hmmm.
9&10 Hornady ball w/ pillow ticking.


These are the Remington balls.


These are the Hornady balls-both .490 on the box.



These are at 50yd w/ spit-patched, pillowtick Hornady's. Much better.
The pertinent info: .50 ca, 70 gr 777



The spent patches, for posterity...