Returning to BP
 

Hello All,
For the last 5-6 years I had gotten big into Archery and kinda put down the BP. That being said I really miss the somke and the thump so I would like to get started back into BP however there are many new products and techniques available. I shoot a Knight usak and a Lyman Great Plains 1 in 60 twist. Any advise or tips would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping someone can advise on some starting loads for the usak using black, pyro, and or777. :eek:
Thanks
Jim

RE: Returning to BP
 

Welcome to the forum jimshan:D. I don't own a Knight so can't help you there. But for the Lyman's 1:60, I would at least try the Buffalo Bullet 270 ballet. In my Sidekick, 60 grains Pyro P propels the ballet to 1497 avg, 75 grains pyro P propells the ballet to 1656 (just one data point last night). 80 grains 3f Goex propells the ballet to 1461 fps (again just one data point). I think the performance (higher muzzle velocity)of the ballet would be better in your Lymans than in my Sidekick because of the slower twist and longer barrel. Don't have any data for it with 777 but should be better than pyro P.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Returning to BP
 

The Knight USA is a great rifle. With the 22" Green Mountain Barrel they are a very accurate easy to handle rifle. I shoot a Wolverine LK-II which is the next step in the line of Knight rifles, but there is really not that much difference between them.

Try shooting 85 grains of either of the powders you mentioned and a 240 gr. Hornady XTP. Actually I like the 240 gr. T/C Mag Express XTP. Same bullet but different sabot. I get some excellent accuracy. Another good shooting sabot is the Barnes 250 grain Expander and 90 grains of those powders. The problem is the Barnes are very expensive and makes practice and fun shooting costly.

As for you Lyman Great Plains rifle, why not shoot what the rifle was made for. I'd bet 90 grains of Goex, or Pyrodex RS with a patched roundball would be an excellent shooting load. (We are talking a cap lock VS a flintlock here? If flintlock just use the Goex) You can start the rifle out with 70 grains and a patched roundball. See what kind of groups you get. Then keep increasing the powder charge until the group falls apart. With my Lyman that was 90 grains. But at 90 grains and a patched roundball, my rifle is really accurate....

Good luck, welcome back to the sport and to the forum....

RE: Returning to BP
 

This isexactly what i have been using for the last 10yrs and I have no need to change!!!

RE: Returning to BP
 

Cayugad said it right ... as usual with him.;)

For re-introduction to the sport using your Knight, you will get back on track the fastest using sabots from Hornady, Barnes or Knight packages. These bullet-names generally/most timesfit Knight Rifles the best. Then pick one powder out of the three powdersyou mentioned & run with it. After you have that rifle zoned-in & the troubleshooting set aside, then experiment with different brand name bullets & powders.

RE: Returning to BP
 

most of the guys ive seen with the lyman rifle use 80 to 85 grains BP with a great plains buffalo bullet. You could also try the power belts. My kentucky shot a 245 grain powerbelt nicely. it to has a 1:66 twist barrel. You just have to try out different bullets and powdr charges and see what works best.

RE: Returning to BP
 

You should get really good groups out of that lyman with around 90gr Goex or Pyro and a patched roundball. What were your old loads?

RE: Returning to BP
 

Thanks everyone for the fast & informative replys. I think I will pick up some Goex FF and some of the Hornady sabots along with some 240 and 300 grain xtp's. Since the USAK is so light and handy I will hunt with it if I find a good load. As soon as the Grandkids head back to Louisiana and the weather cools a little I will start testing. Has anyone had problems with the breech plug in the USAK when shooting 777, if that is truly a problem what is the best fix. Thanks
Jim

RE: Returning to BP
 

If you have a place to get Goex, I personally shoot Goex 3f out of my Wolverine and most all my other inline rifles. I feel I get better accuracy and less fowling then the 2f brand... Only your rifle will know what it likes best.

RE: Returning to BP
 

Patched roundball and black out of the Lyman.

RE: Returning to BP
 

What problems are you having with the breechplug?

RE: Returning to BP
 

T-7,
During my search on the new products I saw where some folks were having problems with the in-line breech pulgs sticking when shooting 777. I have never shot 777 so I didn't know if this was a real problem or a lack of cleaning. ???? Thanks for all the replies.
Jim

RE: Returning to BP
 

Jimshan,

I generally remove the breech plug every 5 to 10 shots in my inline. If I just keep shooting it will get crudded in, with black powder or pyrodex, and I imagnine also with 777. Remove the breech plug after swabbing and make certain that none of the flakes of fowling are on the sealing surface of the breech or plug or erosion of the seal can occur. If it gets crudded in, remove the barrel and soak in bucket of hot soap water before trying to remove it, its alot easier to just stay up with it at the range. I have a Sidekick, and it works better for me to remove the breech plug entirely. This is because residues from blow-back get all around the plug and the outside of the plug needs to be cleaned. If your rifle doesn't encounter the crudding from outside, then probably backing it off a turn and retightening will do the trick. I use a anti-sieze compound on the threads.

With the lyman, you don't have to worry about a siezed breech plug. One less thing to deal with at the range.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Returning to BP
 

Phil covered it nicely Jim. One more mention to include is using the weakest possible 209 primer with 777. Buy either the brand newWinchester-Triple Se7en 209 primers or if you cannot locate those at a couple of stores -- then getthe Remington Kleanbore 209s.

I'm a little bummed-out today. Just too dang-hot (95 & high humidity) to be shooting at the range. I've been itching to try-out my two new blackpowders & also try-out my No Excuse bullets. But with these temps, that No Excuse bulletlube would probably melt off.

Maybe tomorrow if I go early, I'll shoot some plastic in my Omega.