25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

That's a 3 shot group even though it looks kind of like a 4. Would you guys recommend changing anything at this point? Sorry to keep asking newbie questions but I don't have anywhere else to turn hehe.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

A close-up. That's a quarter, the flash blurred it.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Looks like you'll have to start filing down the front sight. Are you sure the rear sight isnt adjustable? My step bros bobcat has a screw in the middle that you adjust up and down. Dont touch the load, thats perfect for PRB. You're doing great for a first timer, Also looks like the rifle will be a hell of a shooter.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

The rear sights can only be drifted. Judging from the shape of it I wonder if it's even possible to file it. I'l see about finding a photo.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

You file the front sight down to make 'er go up. Use masking tape and mark the sight, do little by little.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

I don't understand the masking tape part?

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Another trick to protect your rifle is take a piece of plastic off a milk jug. Cut a slit in the plasticand put that over the blade of the front sight. Then when you slip with the file and you will, and youhit the barrel, you will not mark up the bluing. The masking tape is a way to mark the sight so you can keep track of how much of it you have removed.

Instead, I take the file and rifle right to the range. I shoot a round and take about four strokes off the sight. Then shoot again. Make sure you do at least two shot groups. When you get the POI close... STOP. This is where you really have to concentrate on sight picture target acquisition. Now startthinking about what range you want the rifle sighted in at. Move to that range and then start shooting and doing one file stroke at a time...

By the way thats a nice group but before I do any filing, I would increase the powder charge to say 80 - 90 grains and see if that does not pick up your POI a little while still giving you a good tight group at the 25 yard line. While 70 is a fine hunting load, I like to max out my powder charges. Then again, that is just my way. If you're happy with a 70 grains charge and ball, then by all means change the site. Just don't be in a hurry. It would not hurt to change it s little though.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Also if you don't like masking tape, paint the front site with white out.. then with a black magic marker, draw a line along the top edge of the site and file that marker line off. Just repeat that until you have it where you want it.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

man, am i going to have to smack some sense into you?:D:D:D jk.

Masking tape part lets you mark a certain amount you want to remove. The silver part in the pic is the area that i want to remove me get more elevation. The masking tape it there so you can see how much you are removing.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

One other trick that I have done when regulating the sights on my flintlocks is to paint the rear of the sight (I use white out)...What you want to do is paint up to the level that you are thinking about filing off...For example, leave about 1/8 inch of the top of the sight unpainted....Now go back and shoot, using the level of the paint as the top of your front sight...This gives you a reference as to how taking off that much of the front sight will move your group...Then when you file, just file down to the paint...

Like Cay mentioned, you might want to bump the charge up a bit for whitetails...
I have my .54 set to shoot about 1 inch high at 50 yards with 80 grains and when I drop down to a half charge it hits dead on at 25, so I can use this reduced charge for squirrel hunting...

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

:) Looks like Cay, frontier and I are doing the same thing, just different methods...
Also looks like they type faster than I do!!!:D

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

I think you need to go up 12 clicks, shoot 3 more times. If you move in to 13 yards and shoot, if your dead on at 13 yard you will be dead on at 70. That works for me.
Chap Gleason

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Chap...You do know he has open sights on that thing don't you???

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Set everything up exactly the same today, actually I didn't even move my "posts" or my table so I just slid my cardboard (with the same target still on it) back between the tomato stakes. I loaded up 80gr of Pyrodex and fired. I couldn't see a new hole so I walked up to the target and still nothing. I looked around and couldn't see where I might have hit the ground in a horrible miss so I just decided to do the exact same thing again. When I shot this time, I noticed one of the pre-existing holes from my 70gr group got a tad taller. I believe that's the first time I've ever knowingly and truthfully put a shot through the same hole haha.

So I decided that 80 performs the same as 70 more or less. I tried a group of 90gr and the holes were touching with the center of the groupabout an inch directly above the 70gr group.

Looks like 90gr is the way to go I suppose.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

I did think about trying a 100gr group just for the heck of it but the fact that that's the highest recommended load for the Bobcat kind of made me a little less confident.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

In my .54 caliber Mountain Stalker which is the same as your Bobcat but sold through Bass Pro, I discovered it likes the heavier charges. I shoot 80 grains of Triple Se7en 2f, a wad, and a patched roundball. If you factor in the 15% difference in powder I am shooting an equivalent of about 90 grains of Pyrodex RS. The .54 caliber does accept more powder then the .50 caliber through. This load blows through deer with ease.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

I'll have to try a wad in my deercreek. I tried 40 grains T7 and PRB but the patches would just burn up and the accuracy was crap. I'll have to buy some wads for the 45 and give it a try.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

So I'm assuming the patch actually keeps the ball in the rifling and if the powder manages to burn that you lose that grip. A wad (what do you use a wad for?) would burn instead of the patch?

I've been finding patches that are pretty dang scorched but not burnt. I think I'm good, just a little curious.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

patch is what grips the rifling and sets the ball to spinning. With out the patch, the ball fits somewhat loose and will tumble. The wad helps protect the patch from the flame and also increases the "pressure/engergy?" Not sure which word to use there lol. I'd buy some and give the wad a try. Doesnt sound like you need a wad withthe groups you're reporting. Having fun with the rifle?

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

A scorched or black crud patch is not the end of the world. Even if the ends are frilled. What you need to look at is patches with holes in them, torn, or pieces missing. That normally means the patch can not support the pressure behind it. This can be cause by the patchbeing old as I have seen old patches blow apart. A poor lube will allow the ignition flame to blow them up as well. Triple Se7en produces more heat then other powders and this can account for blown patches. The wad between the powder and patch will protect the patch. I have shot some that the patch is in such pristine condition you could, and I have (for fun), use them again if you really wanted to. I make a lot of my wads out of wool felt using a hollow hole punch.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3838

I then dip them in home made lube I have melted, or will smear them on the range. They protect the patch and help clean the barrel at the same time. In the White I shoot, I did purchase some fiber wads in .510 diameter and they work real good. I got them at TOTW.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

You could always buy a set of adjustable sights and live happily ever after.E-Bay has a variety to choose from.Just a thought; if you're going to be playing around with different loads.............Harold

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

That's what I did with my Mountain Stalker. I bought a set at Wal Mart for $22.00 (aprox) and mounted them on the rifle. They made a big difference. Although I had to laugh putting a $22.00 set of sights on a $39.95 rifle.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Dave,that's not as badd as these guys putting 400 dollar scopes on their rifles. I just can't see spending as much or more on a scope than the gun is worth...

and Frontier, I'm having a blast. I probably grew a foot taller when I was walking back to the bench after I realized I was shooting the same hole haha.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Beauty is as beauty does.With the obvious accuracy potential of the gun and load who cares about the initial cost of the gun.It can only get better with adjustable sights.As for scopes it's false economy to spend a large amt. on the gun and go elcheapo on the glass.I'd take an average gun with excellant optics any day over the former.If you can't see it ,you can't hit it!Had a buddy who worked in a gun store that sold a Ruger77R to a fellow who upon returning with the gun to the store[fresh from the range]replied that he liked the gun but was having trouble sighting it in.The guy was actually looking through the 1" rings with no scope mounted and getting some of his bullets on paper @ 100yards!My friendgently implied that his groups would shrink if he added a scope.No kidding this really happened...........Harold

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

Talk about a big peep sight:D:D

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

I wouldn't worry about trying the 100gr load with a round ball. The max of 100gr 2F is based on a 400gr bullet. Your RB is less than half that weight and will not produce pressures as high as the 400gr bullet will. The only time you would get into trouble would be if you short start the projectile. Try it out you may find it likes it. The Bobcat is a solid little rifle for the price.

It sounds like your Bobcat is a shooter. I like the 3 I have.

Good luck with it.

RE: 25 yards, 70 grains Pyrodex RS, PRB
 

nice group;)