cayugad

Shooting the Black Diamond XR today was as usual, pretty boring. It fired perfect. I was shooting 100 grains of Schuetzen 2f Black Powder, the dark blue 40/50 sabots, and 200 grain .40 caliber yellow tip Shockwaves. I never had a misfire. I was using the #11 ignition system which consisted of the standard Black Diamond breech plug and a stainless steel, non ported #11 nipple. I was using Winchester Magnum/CCI Magnum caps (same thing) and when fired, they blew apart and fell out of the breech with little problem.

Because I was shooting #11 caps the rifle stayed relatively clean in the breech area. I would on occasion wipe the nipple clear of fouling but never had to wipe out the breech. The rifle shot flawless.

I started at 50 yards to see where it would group these 200 grain Shockwaves. Normally I shoot the 250 grain Shockwaves (but an currently out of them).



The first shot on a clean barrel... and I know this rifle likes to throw that shot... was 9:30 of the bull. The lowest of the main group. Then I began shooting and swabbing between shots with Rusty Duck Black Off. I would do a simple swab down the bore with a very lightly damp patch, working the barrel good. The one shot, not in that 50 yard group, was the single hit at 12:00 on the bulls eye, just above it. The 50 yard group is the first on the clean bore and then five more. I did manage to throw one out of the group.

I then moved the target back to 73/74 yards. Again taking my time I swabbed between shots in the same manner... I shot the high group of four shots... then to see if I could do it, I tried to sneak one down into the bull. That was the 12:00 low. The rifle is sighted in for 100 yards. So I am guessing these might be on their downward trajectory at this point and could be at their highest part of the curve. I really don't know that trajectory stuff other then I have to aim so high or low, depending on the distance. Although as I remember the 250 grain did not shoot that high.

As I was making a new bikini scope cover as the old one broke, I heard leaves rustling. Like a squirrel running around. I even went and looked around the front of the garage thinking someone was walking around out there.

I sat back down and finished the scope cover, and happened to look up..



That is not my bow target. She's standing right in front of my spinner targets which are 40 yards away. I even had my range finder out there so I was shooting range findings on her.



She decided she was going to make it impossible for me to shoot, by blocking the shooting lane.



The doe then stood there, I was even talking to her, asking her to move, but she was hungry... She then stood to the right of the shooting lane, in the brush. I could see her ears, and her head going up and down. But she was not going to leave. So I sat and watched the deer for about 20 minutes. Finally she wandered into the poplar grove to the right, about 40 yards from the firing range.

So now totally astonished at the stupidity of this deer... I decided to call it a day. I got up, and walked to the 75 yard target. And then I saw the deer again. She was walking towards me. I was kind of shocked.



I was fifteen feet at one time from this adult doe. I even talked to her. I called out to her in a soft voice... hey Momma. The shocking part is the deer looked at me and even walked closer. I hate to admit it, but it kind of spooked me. So being concerned I asked her... are you deaf, blind or just stupid. She stood there, looking at me. Not alarmed at all. Eating brush. I honestly think a neighbor has been feeding this deer at their home as she shows no sign of fear of humans. Which is a shame as it would make her easy pickings to poachers or hunters. I hope she stays close to the house where I can keep an eye on her. But she did upset my shooting. Strange was, the other day when I had deer come in on me, there was an adult doe, a doe fawn, and nub fawn... so I suspect either her kids were not with her (which I doubt) or this is an entirely different doe. But she is way to trusting of people.

Semisane

I think you mentioned a while back that deer were kind of scarce in your area, so that's got to be good news seeing them around the house like that. As for talking to them - that's OK. But if they start talking back you might want to get a check-up.

Good shooting by the way.

I haven't had any range time in months. We're finally starting to get a break from ninety-degree days down here. The next two or three weekends will be devoted to food plot and trail maintenance work. Once that's done I have about twenty pounds of GOEX that needs burning.

cayugad

Yes, I am very pleased to see deer around the house. Especially doe since they closed the season on them.

falcon

That's some good shooting.

That's a big heavy bodied doe; much larger than the typical OK doe.

cayugad

As I have said... those Black Diamond Rifles are just flat out good shooters. I do think sabot wise, that might be one of the best rifles in my collection. If I do my part and swab, and take my time, that rifle will normally stack them. Now 50 & 74 yards are not out there, like some of these shooters do. But for a 1.5-4.5x32mm Bushnell Dusk to Dawn Scope it does all right. And that changing from 209 to #11 was the best thing I ever done with that rifle. And it was forum members that talked me into doing it. Thank them all very much.

I also found that when shooting #11 caps, rifles tend to do real well with real black powder. I think it might be an ignition thing. And when I did swab, there really was no crud ring, just a lot of burnt fouling, that came right out.

But I am still scratching my head over the deer around here. Could the fact my dog has been gone 4 years make them that much less spooked?

falcon

The Black Diamond is about as good as it gets. Fine quality barrel, adjustable trigger, two action bolts, a real walnut stock and the barrel is free floated from the factory. i did glass bed the action of mine.

Recently i've been shooting some Triple Seven in my Black Diamond. The nipple is a TC from a sidelock gun. Never had a hangfire or misfire using the magnum #11 caps with 777. Not sure what effect cold weather would have on that. With #11 caps the 777 crud ring is greatly reduced in my gun. i always swabbed with alcohol before shooting.

alleyyooper

have one small doe(last years fawn I believe.) that started following me and the pup on our daily morning walks in the woods and vacant field. She started in early April and disappeared for about 2 weeks in May but would stand beside the trail even during that two weeks. She finally got back to being there every day in June. Thank fully she stays in our woods and in the high grass behind the pole barn. She had twins.

Is nice to have deer that will stand and listen to our talking as long as they don't go wandering off to free range.

Al