The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fdgsfdgja1.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fdmbdsher4.jpg



Those are the links to my targets that I shot today. Due to the bad rain, I couldn't get outside until earlier today.

I did everything right this time and that is the result. I swabbed EVERY shot and loaded very consistently. The first pic is of the target shot with 250 grainers and the second is the 300s'. I shot a 5 shot group with target #1 and a 3 shot with target #2. The 300s shot a 3 inch group(exactly), and the 250s shot a 2 3/4 incher. This was from 50 yds. I'm mostly pleased with the groups.

Enjoy!!!

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

You did not mention your powder charge load you were shooting. If I had your rifle and was shooting Pyrodex, I would try shooting 100 & 110 & 120 grains of loose powder. Keep up the swabbing and the range reports. They are most interesting.

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

outdoorslover

I guessI would like to know also, which bullet and which sabots? Scoped or unscoped? Sorry I just do not remember other than the Omega...

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

Outdoors - I think you are going to find a combination that gun likes better than either of the ones depicted. One of the things I've not seen talked about on this site is the "nature" of a shot group. One of the reasons I so dislike 3 shot "groups" is that, if the shots are numbered as yours are, the group is nearly always expanding with successive shots. Your 5 shot group in this example was still expanding on #5. Until shots begin to occur inside the limits of greatest dispersion, reliability is low, IMO. If you had fired a 4th and 5th within the outer limits already established by the 3 shot group you show, particularly if they were near shots #1 and #2, I'd say you have a pretty good thing going. Keep working on it and as Cayugad suggests, play with the powder charge and sabot combos. Also, I'm pretty sure you shoot open sights as I am these days. We face a problem scope shooters do not. We shoot, look at our point of impact, reload, and aim again.Our brain is telling our eye to changeour point of aim on every shot, believing the objective is to hit the dot at which we are aiming. To produce the best "group", we have to ignore that instruction from our brain and choose the same sight picture for every shot, even if the bullets are striking 3" off the point of aim. Our groups would be best if we did not look at the results of any of our shots until we fired all of them. That wouldn't be much fun. I've found the problem of my brain wanting to compensate increases with the distance I'm shooting, perhaps because I place more value in a group onPOA versus off. We're all stilll learning and I look forward to your next target post!

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

I agree with yeoman. Five shot groups tell you a lot more than three shot groups. I almost always do five for load development.

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

I did not mention the bullets or powder charge because it's the smae one I always use and I figured you'd know that. It was with XTP Mags and 110 grains of powder.

I like the idea about not looking at the target until after you shoot. I know that would help.

I gtg before the comp gets struck by lightning....

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

yep i know that feeling. 3 computers later i finally learned to turn mine off and unplug it.

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

outdoorslover

I am still wondering which sabot you use, I guess I am curious if it is a "crush rib"?

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

You're thinking "slippage" aren't you SL?

RE: The rain stopped so the hammer dropped
 

yeoman

Great minds.....