Accuracy Help

[flatcreek]

About 150 shoots through my new to me, Flintlock Lyman trade gun 50 cal. Been shooting 50gr 2F, PRB, 12,15,18, 20 thou. pre lubed patches and my best accuracy has been 5 shoots about 1.75 inches at 30 yds and that was with the 15 thou. patches witch surprised me as I thought they would be with the thicker patch. A lot of those shoots where trying to figure out a flintlock and now that is going off pretty regular I would like better groups. Was thinking start going up on the powder and was wondering what else I may try and just what should I expect out of the gun and 74 yr young eyes.
Phil

 

[SDSmlf]

About 150 shoots through my new to me, Flintlock Lyman trade gun 50 cal. Been shooting 50gr 2F, PRB, 12,15,18, 20 thou. pre lubed patches and my best accuracy has been about 1.75 inches at 30 yds and that was with the 15 thou. patches witch surprised me as I thought they would be with the thicker patch. A lot of those shoots where trying to figure out a flintlock and now that is going off pretty regular I would like better groups. Was thinking start going up on the powder and was wondering what else I may try and just what should I expect out of the gun and 74 yr young eyes.
Phil

Are you shooting off of a rest or offhand? Using real blackpowder? Are you new to shooting flintlocks?

 

[flatcreek]

Yes, If it was offhand I would be real happy with that group. Swiss and new to flintlocks and having fun.

 

[64Springer]

1.75 at 30 is nothing to cry about.

That's 3.5 at 60. Still very respectable.

Having poor vision doesn't help.

Increase your powder 5 grains at a time using the .015 patches and see if it improves your groups.

A pair of 10 dollar readers may help too. Did wonders for me.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

About 150 shoots through my new to me, Flintlock Lyman trade gun 50 cal. Been shooting 50gr 2F, PRB, 12,15,18, 20 thou. pre lubed patches and my best accuracy has been about 1.75 inches at 30 yds and that was with the 15 thou. patches witch surprised me as I thought they would be with the thicker patch. A lot of those shoots where trying to figure out a flintlock and now that is going off pretty regular I would like better groups. Was thinking start going up on the powder and was wondering what else I may try and just what should I expect out of the gun and 74 yr young eyes.
Phil

Phil,
You will get a lot of suggestions, but here are some items that can help. First make sure you have a target that lines up with your sights. I prefer 1"wide X 12" vertical line with a 1" X 12" horizontal one on white paper. Make the lines a bright color so your sights don't get lost in them such as a black. Clear crisp target helps. My eyes got ya beat by 4 years. If you are not getting consisent good fast ignition that will mess up your group right there. Throw away the pre lube patches, just use water and a little dish soap. Make sure you are fully bearing gun and body on rifle support and bench. If no improvement, increase your powder charge, provided you are within the manufactures limits. Use real black powder for both barrel and prime.
Larry

 

[flatcreek]

1.75 at 30 is nothing to cry about.

That's 3.5 at 60. Still very respectable.

Having poor vision doesn't help.

Increase your powder 5 grains at a time using the .015 patches and see if it improves your groups.

A pair of 10 dollar readers may help too. Did wonders for me.

Was thinking of going 10 gr at a time and then maybe backing up and I have regular bifocal glasses but thinking a pair of weak readers may be better.

 

[64Springer]

Was thinking of going 10 gr at a time and then maybe backing up and I have regular bifocal glasses but thinking a pair of weak readers may be better.

If your barrel has a sweet spot, you'll jump right past it with 10 grain increments.

 

[SDSmlf]

Was thinking of going 10 gr at a time and then maybe backing up and I have regular bifocal glasses but thinking a pair of weak readers may be better.

Bifocals can work, but for sure I find progressive difficult. Only one sweet spot, and if it’s not exactly between your eye and the sights,…. Look for 1.00 or 1.25 readers, maybe stronger. Whatever it takes to bring the front slight into focus.

 

[flatcreek]

If your barrel has a sweet spot, you'll jump right past it with 10 grain increments.

That makes sense, should start a 50 or maybe 60 or 70?

 

[SDSmlf]

That makes sense, should start a 50 or maybe 60 or 70?

A good place to start is the caliber in grains. In your case, I’d suggest 50 grains.

 

[jdw276]

Mine likes 75 gr of 3f. You are shooting 2f? If so your sweet spot will be higher like 90 grain for me with 2f if the same ratio. Hunting load type recoil thumper. 2F is about 15% less efficient than 3f. So more 2f to equal same fps as 3f.

 

[Celt5494]

Just curious what your shot groupings look like? Are they off the target from center but still a fairly tight grouping or does it look like you hit the target with buckshot?

 

[flatcreek]

Just curious what your shot groupings look like? Are they off the target from center but still a fairly tight grouping or does it look like you hit the target with buckshot?

A couple looked like buckshot, but most were groups, 4 in 1.5 or 2 inches and a stray. making the group 3 or 4 inches. Wondering what to expect from this gun with a first class marksman?

 

[NorthFork]

About 150 shoots through my new to me, Flintlock Lyman trade gun 50 cal. Been shooting 50gr 2F, PRB, 12,15,18, 20 thou. pre lubed patches and my best accuracy has been 5 shoots about 1.75 inches at 30 yds and that was with the 15 thou. patches witch surprised me as I thought they would be with the thicker patch. A lot of those shoots where trying to figure out a flintlock and now that is going off pretty regular I would like better groups. Was thinking start going up on the powder and was wondering what else I may try and just what should I expect out of the gun and 74 yr young eyes.
Phil

I own two Lyman Trade rifles. One in .50 percussion and one in .54 flint. BOTH like stout charges of FFG (100 grns) or FFFG (80 grns) (does not matter for either rifle!) and a .490 or .530 ball and .018" when compressed pillow ticking patch. Either spit or TOTW Mink 'Oil" (really a tallow). Lighter charges do nothing for accuracy in either of mine. As a matter of fact, in my two Lyman Trade Rifles, once you get below 70grns of either FFG or FFFG accuracy goes to heck. Spit is spit, but the TOTW Mink tallow is only lightly lubed onto the patch strip. I cut at the muzzle. Using this formula, I post in the top two thirds of my woodswalk group (10 to 20 shooters) and I kill EVERY deer I shoot at each year. I have cut cards at 20 yards at our and other's rendezvous shoots at 15 to 20 yards with failing eyesight at that. I use spit for target and TOTW Mink Oil for hunting. My Lyman Trade Rifle in .50 is my most reliable target and game getter of my rifle 'collection'. My Pedersoli Indian Trade Musket is my most reliable smoothbore of my 'collection'. You can bury me with both weapons. I'll need them in the afterlife.

edit- my ethics require less than 2.5" CTC 5 shot groups at 50 yards benched OR less than 5" (And I would STRONGLY prefer 4") at 100 yards benched 5 shots CTC for a hunting rifle. A target ONLY rifle has to be less than that.

 

[flatcreek]

Just for a little background the last time I shot off a bench (20 years ago) was with a 204 Ruger with a 16 power scope. 3 shots in a dime at 100 yds on a regular bases. So this is a little frustrating. The flintlock is a hole new animal and a lot of fun.

 

[Sam squanch]

Get a scale and weigh your round balls/ bullets. Throw the light ones into the scrap lead can. You may be surprised at how many light ones you get out of a box…… same with your home cast ones.

 

[longcruise]

That one good group is not the entire tell.

Before you do anything, read your patches with that load and see what is happening inside the barrel.

 

[Sam squanch]

When I have accuracy problems, I call my friends son to shoot my rifles. He was awarded best shot in his company, and was a sniper for a while. It can be eye opening….

 

[flatcreek]

That one good group is not the entire tell.

Before you do anything, read your patches with that load and see what is happening inside the barrel.

The 15 patches I got my best groups with were a bit burnt and a couple had tears around the base of the ball. The 20 where good, looked like you could use them again.

 

[Sam squanch]

Also try a barrier or wad between the powder and round ball. I use cream of wheat. It’s cheap, and good for you if set some aside for breakfast.