54 Smoothbore PRB Loads

[RJR]

I am just about to finish my 54 Smoothbore and am looking for starting loads for it. It's an ERA Barn Gun with a 42 inch barrel. I will be mostly shooting PRB, .530 ball with .015 to .018 patch and FFFg Goex. After I get it consistant with PRB, I'll work on the shot loads for tree rats. What I'm mainly looking for is starting loads and what my max load should be so that I don't over do what this barrel is capable of.

Thanks, Rick

 

[PreglerD]

Hello from Germany,

I use in my .54 original smoothie flinter .525 balls without patch and a bore button over bp and over the bullet, charge is 75 grs WANO PP. Get 3 shot groups at 50 meters of 3-4''.
When using shot I take the same charge bp and also 2 borebuttons and a similar volume of 2.5mm shot (320grs). Is good for bird hunting up to 30 meters.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Many Klatch]

Dead Dawg, my 54 rifle shoots real well with both 55 grains of 3F and 75 grains. They both hit at the same point at 25 yards. I use the bigger charge when shooting beyond 25 yards. I'd start out with 55 grains of 3F with your new gun and then work from there.

Many Klatch

 

[roundball]

My reference is based upon using a GM 15/16" x 33", thick strong octagon Flint barrel with a rear sight, a smooth rifle if you will.

DEER HUNTING
70/80/90grns Goex 3F
.018" pillow ticking
Hornady .520" balls (five-twenty)
I zeroed it at 50 yards for my normal woods hunting and it shoots like a rifle with that load...filled all my deer tags with it the year I got it.

SMALL GAME SHOT LOADS
70grns Goex 3F
2 Oxyoke 1/8" prelubed wads
1oz #7.5s or 1+1/8oz #5s/6s
Circle Fly OS card
Outstanding pattern at 30 yards, penetrated a fairly thick tuna can and dented a second one behind it. Excellent on skeet targets, doves, crows, squirrels...haven't tried it yet on turkey but it should be fine at 20-25yds.

 

[shootemup]

I am just about to finish my 54 Smoothbore and am looking for starting loads for it. It's an ERA Barn Gun with a 42 inch barrel. I will be mostly shooting PRB, .530 ball with .015 to .018 patch and FFFg Goex. After I get it consistant with PRB, I'll work on the shot loads for tree rats. What I'm mainly looking for is starting loads and what my max load should be so that I don't over do what this barrel is capable of.

Thanks, Rick

Hi Rick,

Sounds like you pretty much know what you want to shoot, but since you're asking :grin: I'd try 80 grains of 3f under a .015 patched .530 roundball.

Should be fun to find out what works best in your gun... :hatsoff:

Spot

 

[wolkentanz]

Hello,

after many trials with my .54 smoothbore Colerain barrel (44 inch) i found the load my gun likes.

75 grn Swiss No. 2, 1.9 ccm corn meal and a .530 RB with a 0.012 patch, lubed with a own creation of patch milk. This gives me a 3 inch pattern at 55 yards. No wiping between shots necessary.

 

[akapennypincher]

Surprised so many are shooting FFFG in a .54 CAL. I personally prefer FFG in everything down to .36 Cal, be it Smooth, or Rifled. :shocked2:

 

[roundball]

Surprised so many are shooting FFFG in a .54 CAL. I personally prefer FFG in everything down to .36 Cal, be it Smooth, or Rifled. :shocked2:

For me, Goex 3F is cleaner, faster, and extremely accurate...I reduce 2F load data by 10-15% and prefer 3F in everything...use it for my .62cal smoothbore shot loads as well

 

[spaethjm]

I tried my GM 33 inch 54 yesterday I tried a 535 ball sat on top of barrel. I measured the barrel it came out at .534. .530 with a thin cotton patch or no patch work I guess I will have to get some smaller RB. The .535 work well in my rifle's.
I did not realize this 54 had such a tight bore.

 

[PreglerD]

Tried my .54 smoothie flinter (original) with 90 grs FFg, .525 RB and a borebutton over powder and over ball. At 40 meters it is as accurate as a rifle.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[PreglerD]

Ah I forget to say that I tried with shot also, replaced the ball with 300 grs 2.5mm shot.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Britsmoothy]

I use 3f in my 12guage, works fine :thumbsup:

Britsmoothy.

 

3F in my .62 & .54 smoothies. Shoots cleaner & I use less powder. Accuracy seems about the same...

 

[RiverRat]

I have a 54 smooth rifle with a longhammock barrel and the bore is tight also. I now use Hornady .520 rb's and I also cast my own. Jeff Tanner made up my .520 mold. I shoot 3f for everything and when shooting rbs in my smoothie, I use 60 grains for all my target shooting and that includes woods' walks. 3f burns plenty hot, so there is no need for full power loads.

 

[tg]

I used to run 60-70 gr 3f .530 ball .018 patch in the .54 smoothrifle that I had.