RE: 54 New Englander range report, Vol.II
 

I agree. I'd be grinning like the first attorney to arrive at the scene of an accident.

RE: 54 New Englander range report, Vol.II
 

Oh, I'm happy with her, very happy!

Probably neither here nor there, but usually I find that 100 yard groups are a little (or a lot) more than twice the size of 50 yard groups with most rifles I've owned. With this one, they've been less than 2x the 50 yarders. It may mean nothing, but I suspect it's another sign that the load is well tuned to the rifle.

I'll certainly pay attention to the barrel heating issue, & will probably try a group with Pyrodex next time I shoot with my hunting buddy (he uses it in a New Englander) just to see what happens. That said, I'd still put my money on the shooter as the cause of any fliers. Any of you fine folks every purposely try varying bullet seating pressure to see what effect it had on group size?

UncleNorby- you're handle always gets my attention. I have an uncle Norby who along with my Dad & another uncle, introduced me to hunting. He witnessed my first kill, a running cottontail. I was 13, and you'd have thought I was a returning war hero the way they made over it. Good memories!

RE: 54 New Englander range report, Vol.II
 

You should expect to see 100 yd groups greater than 2x your 50 yd groups. ML bullets are relatively large and slow-moving, making them more susceptible to the effects of wind and other environmental conditions.

This is the exact reason that shotgun slug MFRs recommend a 50 yd sight-in (such as2-3" high at 50).