Hello all. I am new to the board and am looking forward to following a hunting forum.
Coincedentally I am trying to rework an accurate load for my MK85 54cal. Three years ago, I had used 100 gr. of FFg with TC maxi hunters in 365gr. for acceptable accuracy. This year I have been experimenting with two pyrodex pellets behing three different saboted lead bullets. I can't hit the broadside of a barn- the saboted rounds are totally inconsistent 1.5' @ 100 yards max. Very frustrating and I am running out of time.
Everyone I talk to says dump the pellets, switch to Triple 7 or Cleanshot. So here I go... anyone have any load recommendations? powder and bullet suggestions? I had trouble with the TC Maxihunter- it seemed to be very difficult to ram, nearly impossible so I am wide open to other bullets.
Thanks
JTD

JTD...welcome to the board! I have a MK85 also, but in .50 cal. I have had extremely good results with 100 grains of plain old pyrodex (or select) and knight 260 gr sabots. My gun will shoot a one hole group at 50 yds, and about 1.5" at 100.... I don't know exactly what to tell you for the .54.
Maybe I'm reading your post wrong, but are you saying that you are unhappy with 1.5" groups at 100 yds????? I don't think you can ask for a whole lot more. Or did you mean 1.5 foot groups? In that case, yes I'd be frustrated too.
I have heard to stay away from clearshot....of course, that is someones opinion. I personally have not tried it, I don't have a need to try anything else. Pyrodex powder is easy to clean, and very consistent, at least for me. Some people I know have had trouble with the pellets also, again I haven't tried those either. Good luck.



Edited by - WV Hunter on 09/27/2002 07:22:28

Wow-
The question has been up for so long I was starting to worry that I smelled or something.
Thank you for the reply! I did have a 1.5 foot group at 100 yards and that was not acceptable. I have since gone back to the drawing board and am now shooting 100 grains (coincedentally same load you recommended) of triple seven with a 365grain T/C maxi hunter. my groups are down to 2" at 100 or better. Way better!
I cannot say enough about the new powder. It was expensive ($21/lb) but the savings is in TIME. I was able to shoot 16 rounds in about an hour, swabbing with water after each shot. That is compared to 5 or 6 rounds an hour cleaning after every third shot with pyrodex. I was able to spend more time on grouping than before.
Thanks for your help- we are almost on the same page now.
JTD


Edited by - JTD on 09/27/2002 14:09:37

Edited by - JTD on 09/27/2002 14:13:56

JTD, glad to hear you got it under control. From what I've heard about the clearshot, yes it shoots good, and is fairly easy to clean, just make sure that you clean it and don't let it stand too long after shooting. Good luck.

JTD,
Welcome! I personally use Cleanshot and I like it. There is a powder called Clearshot and that is the one to stay away from; don't get the two mixed up. Cleanshot is great to clean. I've (by accident) left my ML uncleaned for a couple days after shooting and it cleaned right up with no pitting or anything. If you still have problems then give it a try. As for bullets, all I know is to stay away from Powerbelts (in my rifle anyway). Each rifle is different and will shoot the same round different. I have found in my rifle, it's a CVA, that I would get a "flyer" out of nearly every three shots using the powerbelts.

Good Luck,
Deer1

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
There is a powder called Clearshot and that is the one to stay away from; don't get the two mixed up.
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Deer1...very good point! Guess I didn't read his post that well to begin with. Sorry about that. Glad to hear the Cleanshot is working good for you guys!

I agree - Loose them freekin pellets.I've used Clean Shot powder for 3 yrs in a Knight .45.Love It.It's now sold under the name &quot;American Pioneer Powder&quot;.I use clear plastic speed loaders with powder increments marked on loader.You can clearly see exactly what charge your using every time.Don't know anything about Triple 7.

1.5&quot; At 100 Yrds.Nothin wrong with that.Alot of center fires can't do much better!

You might consider going to a conical bullet in that gun.I use a TC maxi(conical)in my Thompson .50.I can do 1.5-2&quot; groups at 100yrds all day with that round.Mucho easier to load than any sabot.

Any way - whatever you use - Good Luck,and welcome to the MB.Later AL

deer1 you are not alone with the powerbelt getting a flyer in a 3@4 shot groupe.in both my m/l every 3 or 4 shot groupe there was a flyer in the groupe my 50 @ 54 cal.I switch back to the percision sabot in my 50 cal @ harvester 330 grain flat nose keith bullet in a lead sabot in my 54 cal. quess what no more flyers.said goodbye to powerbelts

Thanks you guys- nice to see everyone seems to be on the same track. Usually you ask a question and get six different answers.
I am leaving at eight tomorrrow morning and won't be back for a week.
The proof is in the pudding... we will see if I practiced enough or not!
Thanks again.