Today I was shooting a T/C Hawkins Flintlock. Normally this rifle shoots real good. Ignition was perfect so I could not blame that.

Anyway, I had the target out at 50 yards and was on my sticks. I fired the first shot and the bullet was at least ten inch off the bulls eye at two o'clock. Now I was thinking??? What the heck? I swabbed reloaded and that next shot was a lot better. OK... was the first shot that much off before? Check my notes. Nope! My notes said it shoots almost always the same. Loaded again and this time sprayed the other way on the target at four thirty on the bull, five inches. Now I was really confused.

Then I noticed that when I shot the wedge pin almost would fall out. I checked the wedge pin and it slide back and fourth with ease. Took it out, turned it over, had to really push to get it back in the rifle.

Next three shots, could have covered with a quarter. Something so simple could mean so much!! Who would have guessed. Anyone else notice this same thing to such a degree?

Yes, all my Hawken and Renagade wedge keys are marked with a file so I can tell which side goes up and I all ways put them in from right to left. Lee

I do the same thing.

IE: Action screws.... and yeah it'll make you pull your hair out.

All my wedge pins are bent in such a way as they can only go in one way. (and stay in) Its funny how important a trivial thing like a wedge pin is.

My gun came with a wedge pin that was straight and would fall out either way. I bent it slightly with a few hammer blows on a vise and it now only goes in one way and is pretty snug.
It makes sense that if the barrel is flopping in the stock, you will have accuracy issues.