Getting Tighter
 

:DI was out playing in the flurries today. I changed things up a bit in the load department. 80 gr 3F Goex, .495 ball, .015 dry lubed patch, range 50 yds off a sandbag. Wind was from behind and brisk. and overcast.

I've noticed that my first shot seems to be high left????? Any explanations for this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/HuntAway/Lyman%20GPR%20Targets/107-0713_IMG.jpg

RE: Getting Tighter
 

The first shot being a different POI is not unusual, many loads will do that. It is caused by the difference between a clean bore and a fouled bore. The fouled bore will have a bit more resistance due to the fouling and will change the dynamics of the shot. When the fouling gets to a certain point it will cause the group to spread even further. This is why for best accuracy most find they need to swab between shots to keep the fouling at a consistent level.

Sometimes a shooter gets lucky and finds a load that will shoot multiple shots into a tight group for several shots before it starts to open up. Others just stay aware of the difference and compensate for subsequent shots. Of course, that assumes the first and second shotsconsistently go to the same places when shot clean followed by fouled, i.e. high and left then centered every time. Others will take the time to swab between shots and still others will hunt with a fouled barrel by firing a squib load before loading.

Good luck with it and it's looking good so far.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

If your first shot was off a clean barrel that is not all that uncommon to have them hit outside of the group. That brought up a discussion a while back of shooting off a fowled barrel or a clean barrel. Everyone has their own methods.

It could also have been a wind gust. As you said the wind was strong and that is all it takes to push a projectile, especially a roundball off its course. Just keep making note of where you hit on a clean barrel and see if it happens each and every time.

Are you swabbing with alcohol first, then a dry patch, then pop a cap before you load for the first time? That is what I does and it seems to help most the time.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

What rifle are you shooting? Great groups so far. I take it that its snowing in canada?

RE: Getting Tighter
 

Thanks guy's.
I've started to keep track of all my shoots ( all three of them :)). The rifle is a .50 cal Lyman GPR Flintlock lefthanded w/ 57 GPR peep sight on it. The first shot is out of a barrel that has been swabbed with a windex/alcohol patch then a couple of dry patches. After each shot the same thing. Down once flip it over and do it again. Then a dry patch.

FG the snow is just about done in this neck of the woods. No accumulation to speak of. Just enough to let you know that Mother Nature isn't quite finished with us yet.[:@]

Is it me or does 3F light up faster than 2F? The time from flash to boom seemed to quicker with the 3F. Or, is it that I'm might be getting used to all the comotion going on after I squeeze the trigger? :D

RE: Getting Tighter
 

It is suggested that 3f does ignite faster, but the degree of difference is so short that many claim it can not be noticed. I personally would have to agree with that. The important difference between 3f & 2f is the 3f burning faster produces more barrel pressures and hence a little more velocity in the projectiles.

Many people claim better accuracy, and less fowling with the 3f powder. I personally shoot 3f in a lot of my rifles.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

I think I agree with you cayugad. I think it is more me starring down the sights rather than worrying about what is going on around me. I'm aware of the higher pressures and had checked my manual as well as the Lyman Black Powder Handbook & Loding Manual. Which, by the way, I would recommend to any new shooter in this field.

I really am enjoying getting back to the way it used to be done. I am looking forward to this fall's deer season with my GPR flinterand am thinking about taking my Omega moose hunting this year as well.

Thanks again for all of the advice from everyone.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

Moose hunting with a muzzleloader would have to be an absolute blast. I hunted them with modern center fire and they take a lot of killing. Maybe if you work the GPR up you can then maybe even consider that. Good luck with your rifles and your future hunts..

RE: Getting Tighter
 

Cayugad, any thoughts on a 1:60 twist moose load?

RE: Getting Tighter
 

cayugad

Dave, we must have a different brand of moose out here than you guys have. Ours are big but almost black. They are more like hunting cattle than anything else... of course you have to be drawn for a moose hunt onad you only get one in a lifetime.

But what I getting at is several hunters, including a young girl in my 8th grade history class shoot them with 243's and fact one of the biggest bulls shot in the state was by a guy in Lewiston using a 243. Kristen's was a very nice bull, thought I had a pic on this computer but no. Anyway she shot hers at about 75 yards, he walked off for a few steps and layed down - so Kristen now more detirmined and not in as big a ruch put another shot into the head to do him in. I have know idea what variety we have but they are pretty suseptible - guess that is why you only get one in a lifetime....

RE: Getting Tighter
 

SL - you would have the Shiras moose, I believe. Same as Western Montana.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

We hunted them up in Canada a couple times. It really was a lot of fun. They tookus in on some lake in the middle of no where for hoursin a boat. The wind was blowing and I thought I would freeze to death in the boat. The camp was nice.We lived in a half log half tent house (actually real nice in there). I've no idea what species of moose we were either. One of the guys with us, shot his with a 30-06 (same caliber rifle I was using) and that thing looked at him like he had to be kidding. So he popped it again, and it just started walking fast, off. So he shot again, and then it went crashing down in the brush. What a sight! All three hits were right behind the shoulder where they should have been. Why that moose soaked lead up the way it did, I have no idea.

One of the other guys that was with the group the year before shot his moose with a 30-06 and it turned and headed right towards him and his partner. They just kept shooting, and it finally must have soaked enough lead and went down. That's why I always felt they were hard to kill.

If I were going to use a 1-60 twist, I would work up an accurateroundball with as much power/powder as I could. I would practice and make sure I could place it each time. Then I would get with in 75 yards or closer and let fly. Then just sit back and let the ball do its job and hope the big fellow did not notice all the smoke...:D

I've seriously thought about hunting them with a .58 caliber roundball, but the White with a scope would give me an advantage with thebig conical knock down power I believe. Now I just have to get going and do some of these hunts I want before the old body say.. no way! And believe me, that is a scary thought.

RE: Getting Tighter
 

Once in lifetime for a tag??? Holy crap that sucks. [:'(]Where I hunt weget a bull tag for every 2-3 guys. You might not get the tag but at least one in your group will get one and anyone can shoot the bull. Cow tags are a different story all-together. Good luck getting them without lots of guy's in your gang.

I'm not sure what my max load is for my GPR. I'd have to check my manual when I get home. I would imagine that it would be around 100-110 gr 2f. That would do it, but I would think you definately want to keep the shot under 75 yds. I think I would also carry my BLR 300 win mag as a back up for the longer stuff.:D

RE: Getting Tighter
 

I think 110 grains is a max load. In my .58I have shot 110 grains of Goex 2f and the down range power is very impressive. Of course shooting a 284 grain round ball does not hurt. That's a big chunk of lead with a lot of power. Actually the .54 caliber I have been told is the best roundball caliber for hunting out there. I like that personal caliber and they seem to do a number on anything they hit...