I've been out of the game for a while. I had a few Toms to shoot, spring yard work and some Kid stuff which was a blessing. Anyway, things have settled down and I had a day for the range. With nothing more that fun as a goal, I chose the Ft. Worth Arms Rio Gande as my weapon of choice. I'm told the compny was started by a former emplyee of the White MZ. I picked up the gun at a Pawn Shop in Omaha for a song a few years back. It had never been fired.





It has a unique action but quality component including a B & C Stock, a Bold Trigger and I believe the same barrel used in Whites ( Not sure who made it, anyone know? ).




So the Range Report:

I brought some 300 Gtain XTPs more to foul the barrel than anything. However, they shot well right ftrom the get go. Heres the first tartget at 50 with the XTPs and some .504 Bull Shops



Feeling pretty good about that I moved to 100. We had a 10-15 MPH wind from left to right. I'll call it a factor.

On the left we have the Bull Shops, on the right I went up to 80 of th T7 3F and had a decent 5 shot group with 460 No excuses.



Finally, I concluded with a 3 shot group of the 300 XTPs. I could hunt with any of these loads. I have a inexpensive 2x7 Bushnell which was a factor in the groups. I'm very fond of the gun as it handles the big loads with ease.

A very nice looking rifle. And it looks like you had a lot of fun.

Looking good Josmund. What's the rate of twist on that gun?

Well, it has a 22" barrel and looks to be either 1/20 or 1/18 Twist. I can follow one revolution and then some when eyeing the twist.

I've never been able to get my ramrod to follow the groves to check it that way.

If it follows the White Rifle rule of thumb, the twist would have been 1-24 in the .50 caliber and 1-20 in the .45 caliber. These rifles are a real conical shooting pleasure.

I have shot sabots out of my White and discovered as you, they are very good sabot shooters. But when shooting sabots, I found mine likes to be "pushed." I don't know what you think on that. Other White shooters might comment on how hard they push sabots if they like. I'd be interested. But I sure like your post.

I like the action on that rifle.

I concur, but alas have never shot any sabots in my whites, but did shoot up some remaining powerbelts.

If your muzzle is recessed it was most likely made by Wilson as the White Whitetail which your gun seems to copy. I like 90 gr of T72Fg in my .504's mainly the Super 91, shooting Batchiefs 490gr. Trashcans.

Below is a picture of the Crown, plus I tried to get a snap of the twist. I count one plus turns on a 22" barrel. I tried the tight patch and think I got a half twist in about 9". Is there anyway this could be a 1:18 twist? Is it an optical illusion? Thoughts? Thanks

Nice shooting and cool muzzleloader!