bronko22000

Took the 54 cal Renegade Percand 50 cal Hawken Flinter (21" GM bbl) out today to try some different bullets.
First the Renegade: Trying the 430 gr Maxi ball. This rifle shot the PRB excellent. However the grouping of the Maxi left something to be desired. I used 80 and 90 gr of Pyrodex RS. The best group I could shoot was 2 1/2" at 75 yds. I think I may just stick with the PRB in this rifle.
Next the 50 cal Flinter/GM 21" carbine LRH barrel. This rifle was shooting the 275 gr Maxi hunters and 90 gr of FFFg really well. I had purchased a 320 gr REAL bullet mould and cast some to see how they shot. Out of this rifle at 50 yds, using 80 gr of FFg, the first 2 went wide left of the 3" bull by about 1" but close together. Minor sight adjustment and punched a huge hole in the lower half of the bull with the next 5 shots - swabbing between shots. Raised the rear sight 2 clicks and put the next and final shot right on top of the bull at 12 oclock. Perfect.
Now I know at least one of my 50s will shoot the 320 gr REAL so I can cast a bunch more and try them in my other 50s.

coryj

Sounds like some good shooting with the .50 flinter. I haven't tried any conicals in my LRH barrel but plan on doing so next weekend. Did you try a wonder wad with the maxi-ball? My .50 renegade threw maxi-balls all over the target, but a wonder wad shrunk the groups to about 2 inches, can't hurt to try.

Good luck.

Cory

Semisane

Lucky you bronko, having a gun that will shoot 320 REALs well. Gonna save you big bucks in bullet cost.

bronko22000

Yeah corey I did. Ever since Cayugad put me onto those wonder wads I've been using them with all my conicals. Don't get me wrong, 2 1/2" at 75 yds is a good group and would be fine for hunting. Its just the level of confidence you have when you know your load combo will go exactly where you aim it. And I don't think any deer or black bear is going to care whether it was shot with a conical or RB.

thumper50

Glad to hear about the 320 REALs, I've got one of those 21'GMBs on my WMC.50. When I ever get to the range again,I'm going to try them. Thanks for the post!!

coryj

bronko, i'd be plenty happy with that group, i thought from your initial post you weren't happy with it. Are those groups with open sights or have you desecrated a sidelock with a scope? Either way good shooting.


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bronko22000

I would never put a scope on one of my traditional MLs except the long brass tube like the originals. And no I wasn't real happy with the 2 1/2" group at 75 yds. Not when the PRBs were a lot tighter.

falcon

Sounds like your flinter is ready. Nothing wrong with 2.5" groups at 75 yards-that is minute of pig accuracy.