Last year I couldn't get my cheap traditions 50 cal. black powder to group at 100 yards. I was told it was a problem with the scope, so I changed it.

I sighted the scope at the range the other day. It was grouping well, but when I got to the 100 yrd range, it would shoot one or two well then throw a flier about 6 inches off.

Is this due to the barrel needing to be cleaned after about 10 shots or is there something else wrong.

I shoot 100 grains of the pyrodex pellets and I believe the 240 gn. XTP by Hornady.

I am not sure what you mean by "cleaned". At the range, I run a patch soaked in T/C black powder solvent down the barrel followed by 2 dry patches (both sides) between each shot. If you are doing that, you shouldn't have to do furthur cleaning to get better groupings.

One possibility is that your gun doesn't particularly like 100 grains of pyrodex. For those guns that do, then pellets are great. However, you might really tighten up those groups by using 95 or 105, etc. I have always used loose powder and recently switched to triple 7. It took me a while to find and accurate amout (turned out to be 90 grains), but it is so much easier to clean! And the 777 is about 15% hotter. I chronographed my load and it came in the same as a 105 grain pyrodex load.

HOwever, if you use the 777 pellets, they are NOT hotter. They dilute them to have the same power as 100 grains of pyrodex.

Stone Cold,

I too have a Traditions gun, Deerhunter flint though, and found that it likes 80 grains of either Triple 7, Clean Shot, or Black Powder. Also, I was using round ball and have switched to the Powerbelt bullet Aero tip, 295 grain which is so easy to load i use my thumb for the initial loading. I picked up the special loader for my ram rod so I would not damage the aero tip.

If I were you I would try 80 grains of Triple 7, loose powder, with these powerbelts and see if you have a difference.

Good luck.

Tom

There could be many factors that caused the flyer. As Texashunter 58 said and as I do also, I clean between shots with denatured alcohol and then two dry patches. I also never shoot pellets. I am not saying there is anything wrong with them, they just are not for me. Besides their cost, then you have to remember how many of this weight and that weight make your load. I use loose powders. No matter if it is Pyrodex RS, Triple Se7en, or Pyrodex P. My Staghorn likes 90 grains of powder. My Black Diamond likes 100-110-120 depending on what I am shooting. I find it easier to use a clear cut off measure.

A person who shoots a great deal also told me something else about pellets. Whether or not it is true, who knows. He claims you should be careful seating the projectile because you do not want to crush the pellets. He said it changes their burn rate. So this means you have to be very careful how much pressure you are seating your projectiles at. The same is true for the loose powder. To get the best groups try and seat with the same pressure each and every time.

One last thing to consider is, how long are you letting the barrel cool between shots? Again, I have no proof this makes a difference, but I was told to let the barrel cool between shots. So I do. After I shoot I open the breech striker, swab out the barrel, then set the rifle down and go check my target. After I return I then reload, letting the barrel have a chance to cool down.

I shoot the Hornady 240 grain XTP's and have great luck with them. I also shoot their twin, the T/C 240 grain XTP's and they both shoot fantastic.

It is my belief your problem lies in the cleaning ritual you've employed, I suspect the fliers are a result of a dirt bore and plastic fouling from the sabots. I have tried just about everything under the sun when at the range and my most constant groups are when I swab between shots. Not only does this maintain a constant bore path or less pressure, but will also a cooling period for the barrel and shooter. I must say near hunting season I will always shoot one and load another directly behind to see how it changes my POI, for me this simulates real field conditions for a possible follow up shot and I want to know how it reacts. I have found very little change in POI with this follow up shot and knock on wood I have never had to employ it while hunting either! Seating pressure may be the result of a flier as well, to help maintain the same seat I suggest making a mark on your ram rod with liquid paper or white marker, this will allow you at a glance to see you are seated evenly each time. To the crushed pellet idea, I have done this by mistake on occasion and can't recall it affecting my POI. While it does stands to reason you could possibly change the composition or seating depth, I have not witnessed any changes personally.

BTW I shoot 100 gr pellets or loose pyrodex with 240 XTP and it perfoms very well. I plan to try 777 loose this year and see what happens. My advice don't bother with the 777 pellets, I tried them and found no benefits other than a bit less elbow grease when cleaning. Like mentioned they are diluted to prevent injury or excess, something I was not aware of until after I purchased a box[:@]!

Stone Cold I also shoot a Traditions Evolution Long Distance inline with 100 grains of pellets. It groups inside 2 inches at 50 yards and throws the 240 sabots all over the target at 100 yards. Go figure. I just got some 30 grain Pyrodex Pellets. That gives you 60, 80, 90, 100, 110 grain options. I am also new to this and need to try 80 & 90 grains. I am sure I do not have a problem with breaking the pellets they are pretty tough. I use a Traditions pre buttered patch between each shot and the barrel stays pretty clean. At least a second patch comes out clean when I tried two consecutive patches.

If you are useing butter patches between shots that is probably your problem with throwing your 240 sabots.If you are using sabots you don't want to lube the barrel.
Try just licking a patch on one side and running it down the barrel.and back out,turn the patch over and run it down and back out and see if your groups don't get smaller.
You didn't say what bullet you were shooting in the 240 but my muzzleloaders will shoot the 240 or 250 very good with 100 grs of powder.

Herman, Thanks I am on my own and have no prior experience just some basics I picked up.