FPB - loss of accuracy
 

Okay, my Triumph WOULD shoot the FPB's, 1-1 1/2 @ 100 yards and still does shoot sub 1" @ 100 yd with 250gr TEZ's and close to that with .430/ 240gr xtp's.

I've tried black, T7 and BH209 at various charges. I've pre-sized and not pre-sized. Swabbing and not. I don't get it. I don't need to shoot the FPB's, but what happened? Did I damage the crown or the QLA?
Some of the bullets look like they key holed. By bad accuracy, I mean the best is 3" groups @ 50 yards and the worst I'm hard pressed to keep'm on a 8" x 10"!

1.5" groups with the 350 grain FPB at 100 yards is fantastic. My Encore makes 2.5-3.0" 100 yard groups with that bullet. Not sure what happened to degrade your accuracy. Know several folks who use that bullet on hogs: They all say that loading technique can effect accuracy to a large degree.

Insert the bullet in the QLA then give the quick starter a very hard rap with the heel of your hand to get the bullet into the rifling.

Check your barrel for a bit of copper or lead deposit.

Never had that proble,i've probably shot 5 or so packs of them sicne they came out,and my CVA will gropu them 1.5inch groups at 100yds just like your muzzleloader does.Love them bullets,but not very good for long range.

I have nothing but very good accuracy with the 350 gr. FPB bullet. Just recently I have been able to get my hands on the 300 gr. bullet and will have it at the range as soon as possible.

On accuracy, I have matched your results at the 100 yd. and the 50 yd. I am having a problem going over your problem, what with all the variables. There must be something you changed, that is giving you this new situation. Try going over it in you mind and maybe it will come to you. I can't see this just happening out of the clear blue!

I think what he is saying is that his gun DID shoot FPBs at 1-1/2" but now is not. He is now getting 5 inch groups at 50 yards with the same bullet/load he was using.

But I don't have a clue as to why that might have happened. I would definately give it a good scrubbing with a lead/copper remover but doubt that is the problem. Sounds like something happened with the crown/QLA.

I would make sure it did not have deposits in the barrel first as I have seen this problem cause that kind of group dissolution. But the other common thing I would check next is the scope I have had 3 scopes go west on me in the last 5 years.

Sounds like copper, and plastic deposits in the bore. You will not see this looking in the bore. Give the bore a good cleaning, and then wet a patch with Hoppes #9, yes, the old stand-by, Hoppes #9. Let it stay in the bore over night. Next day, run a dry patch down the bore. Is it blue/green? If it is, this is copper build-up. You may have to repeat this process for a few nights to get it all. The instructions that came with my Triumph caution against using bore solvents with ammonia. I have found that many lead/copper solvents/removers contain ammonia. Hoppes #9 does not contain ammonia. It might take a little longer, but it is safe for the bore. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

I thought about the scope too, but he says he is still sub 1" with sabots.

Thanks guys. I'll give it a go with #9 and report back.

Should I run a wire brush through too?

johnnyo

Personally I would start with a good cleaniong of the bore as already suggested - but I would skip the Hoppes #9 stuff and go right to JB's bore paste. It is a lot more effecient at cleaning the bore.... Hoppes will help maintain but I think you are beyond maintenance - you need to work on the bore.

One other thing I might suggest.... with a really good pin light look at the bottom of the QLA where the crown is and see if you have any material from the FPB shaved off and caught in that area... Since the crown is internal make sure you get that cleaned also...

did they load any harder than the previous FPB's you shot?

actually, easier... maybe too easy!? the thought did cross my mind, that I had a bad batch of bullets.

hornady did have a number of bullets that went out bad. They were the ones that loaded to hard. I think i had a batch of them. Maybe yours preferred the harder loading bullets.

I'll give a good scrub and clean with the #9. need to track down some bore paste.

posting photo of the post-cleaning shoot.

80 and 90gr of bh209, w209 primers, 55 paces - shooting over sand bags on the back of my pickup. cold -10 c plus chill/cross wind

details to follow - i keep losing my internet connection

I would think that the 90 gr load is your load. Good shooting. I have been to Canada a few times and love the place. But never in hte winter months.

One of theses days I will make it up there in the fall for a deer hunt.

Okay, I wasn't going to get my hands on some bore paste, anytime soon so... after giving the bore a good scrub with #9, I took the plunge and tried a recipe of 50/50 vinegar/hydrogen peroxide.

plugged the breach plug and filled the bore. First for about 3 minutes, then agian for about 10 minutes. The longer session stripped the lead off. I had some flash rusting after I drained the barrel, but swabbing again with #9 cleaned that up and everything looked good.

Thanks, the shooting conditions weren't great, but I'm relieved that I've solved the problem. A guy could loss sleep over this.

I can't really complain about the weather. -10 c isn't bad for January, especially with the sun.