I wanted to shoot but it looked like rain. It was only in the low 80's and no wind, but the clouds looked nasty to the west. But I took the chance anyway.

I set up at the 50 yard line. I was shooting the Thompson Center Black Mountain Magnum 50 caliber. I used CCI musket caps. Ignition was perfect with these musket caps.

I had Pyrodex P and Goex 2f for the powder selection today. I brought out some 300 grain Saber tooth conicals and some 295 grain all lead HP Powerbelts.

I swabbed the barrel clean and started with the Saber Tooth shooting Pyrodex P in the 80 grain amount. Shot #5 did not please me shooting the Saber tooth conicals. I did swab between shots, and actually the Saber Tooth loaded very solid. Not what I would call a slip fit conical but not hard to load.

I then swabbed the barrel clean and loaded 80 grains of Goex 2f. Iloaded the 295 grain powerbelt and they loaded like a dream. Almost slip fit. But I could not shake them off the load. I shot the first four powerbelts, swabbing between shots. and could not believe how tight a group this rifle was shooting with these conicals. So to prove I could do it, I aimed to the left of the X and it hit with the next powerbelt right about where I figured that shot would go. I will have to do a lot more testing with Powerbelts and this rifle.

As I was checking the target I began to feel rain drops so I decided to call it a day. I do want to try the Saber Tooth with Goex black powder and shoot some other powerbelts. I might even throw a 4X scope on this rifle just for fun.

Dave, is that rifle a caplock?

It seems to like the PB's.

Good shooting!! I can't hit sheite with iron sights anymore. lol

That would be an interesting comparison. The more I get back to GOEX the more I like it.

Yes, the Black Mountain Magnum is a traditional style rifle with musket cap ignition. They also have a strange breech because these rifles are able to shoot 150 grains of pellets or loose powder.

I was having trouble with the fiber optic sights. For some reason they were glowing.. I don't know how to explain it. When I would sight over them they were almost like they were out of focus unless I opened both eyes. Then they would clear right up. So once they were clear and I could see the top V of the black X I let fly. It seemed to work real good, but actually with the way the sights looked, I was surprised the hits were as good as they did.

I have been having a terrible time with fiber optic sights as of late. Perhaps it is time to visit the eye doctor again.

Looks like the gun is a good shooter.

Great shooting Dave!

With those 295's try the copper series And get them in Aerotip! The AT has always shot a heck of a lot tighter, Plus they hold up better.

Notice any heavy lead build up in the tc's rifling?

I actually like the all lead hollow points and the way they load and shoot. I did not notice any real lead build up. Although I did not bore brush the barrel after shooting. But come to think of it, I ran a lot of patches this time to get it clean and the black fowling was only in the rifling from looking at the patches as they came out.

Dave
Do you think that with the powder foweling in the barrel the tendency to lead is reduced because of the friction I have noticed this to. With a fowled barrel leading seems not to occur as much. Have we discovered something?

I really could not say if fowling protects you, but for instance in my White which shoots only conicals 99% of the time, I seldom if ever find lead in the bore. And I never swab that rifle when I shoot.

I think there is a school assignment for Semi here!