Today I decided to try the new conicals under some different circumstances. Before going to the range I weighed out the conicals and examined them for flaws. I picked out the ones I thought were closest in consistency. Then I picked out a number of powder including Triple Se7en 3f, Swiss 3f, and Pyrodex P. I also brought store bought wads that measured .065 thickness.

I set up at the 50 yard line with the White Ultra Mag. I did not fowl the barrel. Only popped two #11 caps through it and wiped it out with a dry patch.

I loaded 60 grains of Triple Se7en 3f, one wad, and a home casted UC Short conical (as they have been so named).

I was shocked when the first conical hit the edge of the 6" paper plate. I was aiming at the upper right 1" orange dot. I checked the scope mount rings and they seemed fine, so I loaded again. I then fired a number of conicals. I noted all of them were hitting low and a little to the left. Kind of like the other day. But with the reduced powder charge they were grouping at least. I had a good group going actually then had to press my luck and see what a ten shot group would look like. The one hit in the bull was an adjustment made by me. I aimed outside the edge of the bull at one o'clock. Just to see if it was me or the rifle. That is just where they group with that powder charge.

I then swabbed the barrel as clean as I could and loaded up 60 grains of Pyrodex P, an identical wad, and again, the UC Short conical. I fired five shots with that load, and again, no swabbing. I was not real pleased with that accuracy.

I then swabbed the barrel again and loaded up 60 grains of Swiss 3f, a wad and a UC Short conical. I fired and had a dead center bulls eye. Loaded and fired, and continued to do so for ten shots. I noted as the barrel got more fowled, the shots began to move to the left a little. So next time out, I will try shooting three shot bursts, then swab, then shoot, etc.

Just for kick, I popped the Swiss up to 70 grains and shot a five shot group. Why that group hit so much lower is beyond me. But the group was still pretty respectable.

I changed out targets, swabbed the barrel, and then shot some of the 500 grain Bull Shop conicals with 70 grains of Triple Se7en, no wad, at a new 1" bull dot. This is the rifle's sweet load normally. The rifle did not fail. I put all three shots into the 1" red dot from 50 yards. Then for the heck of it shot off twelve more. The dot was gone of course after that.

So I still have some work to do in figuring out the new conicals, but they do show some promise. Even with 60 grains, I would have no fear of shooting a Whitetail with that load...