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Second Date With The Fifty-Eight

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Old 05-16-2010 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
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Boone & Crockett
 
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From: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Default Second Date With The Fifty-Eight

When I reported on my first date with the new .58 caliber Green Mountain barrel I was shooting 95 grains of GOEX FFg.

In comments to that report, both Cayugad and Lemoyne said I should try 110 grains of powder. (http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/blac...-renegade.html) I may not be bright, but I listen to my elders.

The .58 barrel now resides in a Hawken stock that wears a tang mounted TC hunter peep sight. So Friday afternoon I got to try the new barrel/stock combination, a new sight, and a 110 grain load.

To start, I positioned the gun in the Caldwell rest and, with a target out at 25 yards, eyeballed the barrel on the target - then set the new sight as best I could. Loaded her up with 110 grains of FFg and took two shots. Here's the target.



It looked like I had guessed pretty well in setting the sight. It's at least good enough to move out to 50 yards and see where it hits. So I put a target out at 50 and took three shots. Then I adjusted the sight and took three more shots. Here's that target.



I can tell you I was mighty pleased with shots #4, 5 & 6. Just maybe Cayugad and Lemoyne knew what they were talking about. I started looking for patches and found those you see in the target picture. They're still cutting a little, but the barrel has only thirty or forty shots out of it so far and the rifling is still very sharp. I'm not going to worry about patch cutting right now.

That 110 grain load is a pure pleasure to shoot - not punishing at all. I was using a TC U-View powder measure. When I got home I weighed a couple of 110 grain measured loads of FFg and found they actually weighed right at 100 grains.

Feeling pretty good after those last three shots. So I took five shots with a target on the 75 yard frame. Here `tis.



Oh Yes! Looking GOOOD. That one shot out of group was because the evil muzzle loading god Screwdagroup was riding on that ball and caused it to veer to the right at the last moment. It sure wasn't my fault.

OK, it's time for five shots at 100 yards. Here's the target.



Guys, any time I can shoot a 100 yard, three-inch group with iron sights I'm a happy camper.

I was using a 6 o'clock hold on the bull. Check out the trajectory markings on the right margin of that target. They show where the center of the groups were at 50 and 75 yards. It's hitting pretty much dead-on at the top of the front sight at 75 yards, one inch high at 50, and two inches low at 100. Next time out I'm going to adjust it for dead on at 100 and see where it hits at the other ranges.

I think I'm going to like this gun.


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Last edited by Semisane; 05-16-2010 at 08:35 PM.
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Old 05-17-2010 | 01:53 AM
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Fork Horn
 
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That is some really fine shooting there Semi!!
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Old 05-17-2010 | 03:38 AM
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Giant Nontypical
 
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Originally Posted by thumper50
That is some really fine shooting there Semi!!
+1...Especially with iron sights...That .575 ball will put a hurting on a deer...
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Old 05-17-2010 | 05:05 AM
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While some of your pics for me did not show up on my screen, I agree a three inch group at 100 yards is just a smile maker. My rifle does the same thing... around a three inch group. Not that I have not had bad days. And one day I actually clover leafed three shots at 100 yards with the rifle. Also like mentioned, 110 grains of Goex 2f and that ball will knock the snot out of about anything you want to tackle. I'd love to see a report of a hog shot with that load...

Very nice shooting. That sure makes a nice rifle. Now you can see why I am so fond of mine.
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Old 05-17-2010 | 08:17 AM
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From: Central Texas (Williamson Co.)
Default You can't ask for better than that...

Great grouping, new barrel and all...

You oughta' get a chronograph and get us the full scoop.

Reckon it'll kill a chipmunk?

BP
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Old 05-17-2010 | 08:27 AM
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Giant Nontypical
 
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Good shooting Semi. Them irons will do the job if you can see them. Sounds like its time for a boar hunt. Lee
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Old 05-17-2010 | 10:17 AM
  #7  
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From: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
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Thanks guys. I'll be carrying this gun on for a few hunts next fall. With any luck you'll be seeing a news report on yet another whitetail death near Greensburg Louisiana.

That's a good idea BrushPopper. I do have a chronograph. I'll break it out the next time I'm shooting the .58 and get some velocity readings with several loads of GOEX FFg and FFFg, maybe even with Pyrodex and Triple Seven.
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Old 05-17-2010 | 11:28 PM
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Thats some mighty fine shooting there semi, looks like you got a keeper
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Old 05-22-2010 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by cayugad
I'd love to see a report of a hog shot with that load...
I have not been able to find a good conical for my T/C .58 cal. Big Boar yet. But she can shoot the hell out of a bull using a PRB and FFg. I may have to use the PRB for hog hunting this fall.

If all goes well, I will have a good sized hog and a good report on his untimely demise.
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