bronko22000

Spent a pretty good deal of time this morning shooting my .45 cal T/C Hawken with the GM LRH barrel 1:30 twist. I was a bit pressed for time so I didn't swab between shots. The charge was 80 gr of Goex FFFg and a 1/8" .50 cal felt wad. The bullets were 392 gr cast bullets sized to .443" paper patched and tucked with the tuck secured by different methods and had a final size of .449".
The group on the left target was with Sierra 300 gr SP jacketed bullets .4515" and a poly wad (1 5/8" C-C). The lower 2 shots on that target was a sight adjustment as all but one group was shooting left.
Next was the 392 gr 11 mm bullets with 1/4" scotch tape securing the tuck (1 7/8" C-C). Next was the group with the same bullet with binder reinforcement rings (1 7/8" C-C) and the last target was with a 3/8" felt cushioning (like the kind used to cushion cabinet doors)(2" C-C). I believe the felt may have actually been too sticky and adhered to the base of the bullet.
I'm glad I fired 5 shot groups as 3 shot groups would have given me false info. Also I believe that swabbing between shots could have definitely tightened up the groups. The jacketed bullets just about fell down the barrel. Next time out I'm going to try some .452"

1874sharpsshooter

bronko22000

Well you know, just pour it down the barrel until you have just enough room for the bullet....LOL Thanks, I corrected that!
Re-read the tread again with all I added.

bronko22000

Honestly I was pretty disappointed with the shooting today. I am going to try the .452" jacketed bullets and the PP with the scotch tape. I'll be altering charges and swabbing between shots. Between shooting all these shots out of this rifle and another 25 out of my T/C Impact my shoulder is a tad on the sore side. Even with 100 gr charges in the Impact is was more pleasant on the shoulder than the brass butt plate of the Hawken.
And I still have two CF rifles I have to do load development on. But they will have to wait until next week.