cayugad

SharpShooter was questioning the ability of a Green Mountain Barrel mounted on a Renegade stock and how it would handle large conicals like the No Excuse Conical among some... I had moved the range up to 60 yards and with open sights put a large RED DOT for an aiming point.

Since I own two .50 caliber 1/28 twist Green Mountain Barrels, I put one on a Renegade stock and took it out today. Since the target from yesterday still had some life left (red X indicate yesterdays) I used that target. I marked those hits.

I then started out with a clean barrel. I swabbed and loaded 70 grains of Triple Se7en 3f & 2 1/16th wads & 495 grain No Excuses conical. They are marked in light blue. I was not real impressed with the accuracy of them.

I then wondered how the rifle would shoot maxiball. They are 370 grain. I loaded them with 70 grains of Goex 3f & one wad. Those are marked with bright green. I was actually kind of impressed with them. I had to adjust my sight picture a little to make them group, but overall they did real well. They'd make a real good deer load.

charlie brown

After yesterday's shooting, where I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, I came home and Really cleaned the lock/trigger mechanism on my Bobcat. Went back out today and loaded 80 grains of Pyrodex RS, set the life size deer target at 50 yards, and let three shots fly. The bullet was that 370 Grain Maxi Ball. No problems, but I pulled the last shot very slightly. What would have been a 2" group turned out to be about 3". Only problem I find is that I am about 5" below where I am aiming. I am hoping the bullet is still climbing, and will be a little higher at 75 and 100 yards. I have no more room to raise my Lyman Hunter sights any more. I can't wait for deer season!!

Pittsburghunter

charlie, have you filed down the front sight at all yet? Them Bobcats come shooting low for the most part so the owner can file down the front sight to their point of aim.

Cayugad I wonder if you wern't stuffing enough powder in front of the big NE to get them to fly well. You would figure a heavy bullet like that would like a fast twist. They shoot good in your Black Diamond right?

BS

http://www.goexpowder.com/load-chart.html

The Goex load chart works quite well with my .54 cal. Try 85FF and the maxi, with wad of course.

cayugad

I was only shooting 70 grains. Next time out I want to try 85 grains of Goex 3f and 2 wads. Although the maxiball did pretty good. To be honest, I have noticed I am having more and more problems at long distance shooting open sights. I have some focus problems.The sights are clear but thetarget is dull, or the target is sharp and the sights are dull. I think its time to visit the eye doctor again.

Pittsburghunter

Yeh the spread was too far from maxi to NE for it to be your eyes so I agree with trying them again with another charge. I really love Goex in a sidelock and I know you do as well. I would bump up to 85g and if your still not happy a bit more.

I wish I had a range like you do my last shooting spot in town has been closed down and now I am on my own to find a place to shoot unless I go up to camp.

charlie brown

Pittsburghunter - No, I have not filed down the front sights. I took the original sights off altogether and replaced them with plastic crap CVA sights, then moved on and put a set of Lyman Hunter sights on. I don't think it would be a good idea to file down the front sight, might do more harm than good. I will double check at 75 and 100 and see how it is there. If it is still low, I may dig up my original sights and put the front one on and file it down until I can shoot a little higher.

Sharp Shooter

Thanks for shooting that barrel with some conicals Cayugad. I think I want to shoot 58cal roundballs. The trajectory can not be too bad at all right? Was that your stainless GM? How much more is the fast twist stainless vs fast regular?

cayugad

The stainless fast twist is the same as the blue version 1/28. Thompson Center does make a big bore in 1/48 in .54 or .58 caliber I believe. Roundball I think told you that, but check with him.

I personally think this fast twist barrel is made to shoot sabots, but the maxiball look promising. I want to shoot a few more different conicals before I made a final decision though.

I think a .58 caliber would be a wise choice. It's hard to say, since I do not know your hunting situation. I just say this because that roundball can handle the job no matter where it is.

eldeguello

I too have found that Maxiballs often give very good accuracy in my rifles, but I have had NO LUCK AT ALL with Maxi-Hunters, for some reason. This despite the fact that the Maxi-Hunters are shorter, so they should stabilize better inslow twist barrels.