Shot #18 today!
#1
Shot #18 today!
Well, I finally got some time to shoot #18 today. I purchased this rifle (T/C Hawken) .50 percussion back in January and just now got to shoot it. I shot it @ 25 yds. with 50gr. of FFFg and patched .490 RB. I started out with .018 pillow tick (square cut) patches lubed with TOTW mink oil and was not impressed... (3"group). I had some patches pre-lubed with moose milk in an empty skoal tin and when I opened it they were MOULDY!!!... YUUUCK!!!! So I grabbed a pack of pre-lubed T/C .015 patches and continued on. After a few sight adjustments, my last three shots were touching one another. The only problem is...they're about 3" high of my POA and my rear sight is nearly bottomed out. Now, before we get into the scrutiny, let me add that I only made a few minor adjustments to the elevation and most of my adjustments were made to the windage. I don't have much elevation adjustment left so I think I'm gonna put a HIGHER front sight on and start over. I did get a really tight group...my last 3 shots were touching one another, they're just 3" high of POA. Sorry, I don't have pics....had to clean er' up and get ready to leave for my Tue. night Accounting class....
BPS
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Last edited by Blackpowdersmoke; 03-06-2012 at 08:49 PM.
#2
Before you start changing sights.. up the powder charge and see what happens. I had one rifle that shot high and when I put more powder to it, it actually brought the POI down. Why, I am not sure. Also I use a six o'clock hold. And sometimes you can adjust the sight in the rear sight. But your right.. you will probably need a different front sight.
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,585
I have never shot any of mine with that amount of powder, some time more powder will make them shoot lower because the ball is out of the muzzle by the time that recoil lifts it.
My recommendation would be to try 90 grains for a few shots to see if that is the problem. Mine all use from 90 to 110 grains for best accuracy at 100 yds.
My recommendation would be to try 90 grains for a few shots to see if that is the problem. Mine all use from 90 to 110 grains for best accuracy at 100 yds.
#4
I was shooting a light load in the interest of conserving powder as well as to see where this new-to-me rifle was hitting @ 25 yds. As I had stated, I only made minor adjustments down (4-5 clicks) on the elevation and the rear sight is nearly bottomed out. I intend to get this rifle tweeked in for "plinking" and I will probably use it and a few others in the Blackpowder shoot I'm going to host this summer. I can't see using 90-100 grain charges when most of our shots will be under 50 yds. I have never been one to believe that the more powder you dump in em' the better they shoot, but I do believe that each rifle has it's own taste for the right combination of powder, patch, lube, and ball. I will probably try some heavier charges next time I shoot this rifle because I will eventually need to develop a load for hunting anyway, but I still have a sneaking feeling that I will have to change the front sight as the previous owner had the rear sight nearly bottomed already and I can see why.
BPS
BPS
Last edited by Blackpowdersmoke; 03-12-2012 at 09:24 PM.
#5
Before you start changing sights.. up the powder charge and see what happens. I had one rifle that shot high and when I put more powder to it, it actually brought the POI down. Why, I am not sure. Also I use a six o'clock hold. And sometimes you can adjust the sight in the rear sight. But your right.. you will probably need a different front sight.
BPS