54 New Englander range report, Vol.II
#11
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,918
Likes: 1
From: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
2" at 100 yds is nothing to sneeze at with open sights. She's a shooter for sure.
#12
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Peach Grove Kentucky
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!
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!
#13
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
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).
This is the exact reason that shotgun slug MFRs recommend a 50 yd sight-in (such as2-3" high at 50).




