Accuracy Help

[brushblind]

A peep sight might be a worth while investment for you once you find the rifles sweet spot.

 

[64Springer]

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

Not one of my firearms, ML or Modern, turns in better groups with more powder.

Though Magnumitis is not a myth, I've never found it useful.

I'd start at 50.

Then 5 to 7 shots at 55. Then 5 to 7 more at 60. Etc.

 

[Mulebrain]

Your load is a bit light for ff in a .50. My average load in a .50 is 60 fff. I would bump up the ff to 70 and try that.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Yep. I would try some 3F and more of it.

 

[Hermit Tim]

How fast is your lock? If there is a bit of lag between crack and boom it could be hurting your follow through.

 

[flatcreek]

How fast is your lock? If there is a bit of lag between crack and boom it could be hurting your follow through.

Think the lock time is pretty good, here's a clip.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Well...its not bad. But, its not instant either. Compare.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Think the lock time is pretty good, here's a clip.
View attachment 239049

Yep, that's pretty good.

 

[Mulebrain]

I would also ditch any pre lubed patching, and use washed pillow ticking instead. Lube with 40 dawn and 60 water, wet patches.
Make sure you are shooting 490 or 495 ball, which ever will slide just into the muzzle. Work up the load for the tightest group.

 

[oldramrod]

As Dutch always said when working up a load:" change one variable at a time". Patches ,lube, powder charge, over powder wad, etc.

 

[waksupi]

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….

Yep, many times it's the Indian, and not the arrow.

 

[flatcreek]

Yep, many times it's the Indian, and not the arrow.

Yes, need to find some young Buck that can shoot.

 

[Reno]

Yes, you will receive many suggestions. You are starting with a clean bore I’m sure. When you swab the bore do you notice any roughness at all anywhere in the barrel? Feeling for a spot tat might have a bit of pitting. This may or may not be there. If so a bit of gas might leak at this spot and affect accuracy.
I’m guessing the bore is in good shape.
i swab between shots. Some think this is unnecessary but I do it. Many still do it.
You want the consistency between each shot as you can get.
With each shot the pressure changes as each shot deposits a little more fouling. So I swab to get the best consistency between each shot.
Change you powder load. I was taught to try 5 grain increments but you can try 10 if you choose. Might try a different patch thickness.
Each piece likes its own diet.
Some things to think about

 

[flatcreek]

Thank you all for you great suggestion. I'm heading to Dixons now to pick up a few things and then it's try out as much of the advice I can. Thank you all for your help.
Phil

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Talk to Greg while there. He might give some more advice.
Your lock time looked pretty good, your groups sound ok.
Have patience as you "dial in" your load, the process is the fun part. "Good enough" for a time is ok, then come back to it and mess with a variable. Sometimes we just need range time to work on ourselves without working on the weapon.

 

[Lippy984]

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.

This piece of advice is something I wish I heard years ago. Thank you

 

[alcessapiens]

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

that eye thing stinks, still better to have old eyes than die young with good eyes. Muzzleloaders are a bit different than centerfire in that they have much longer barrels , slower lock times and lower velocity. All this combines to make the time from pulling the trigger to the ball exiting the barrel much longer. Great shooters have great follow through. Keep your hold, cheek weld, breath, sight picture consistently focused until the rifle’s recoil is completely ended. It might help. And, as a bonus, it will improve all of your shooting. If you’re already doing this experiment with different loads/patches/etc in 3-5 round groups from a clean barrel. Find what your rifle likes to eat, then write it down so you don’t forget it.Good luck!

 

[45man]

Those size groups offhand are just great. With age it has gone away for me. I agree that if you hsve a RB twist, up the charge, miner never did s thing until I got to 90 gr.

 

[NorthFork]

Think the lock time is pretty good, here's a clip.
View attachment 239049

Fairly fast ignition. That's not it.

 

[flatcreek]

Those size groups offhand are just great. With age it has gone away for me. I agree that if you hsve a RB twist, up the charge, miner never did s thing until I got to 90 gr.

That was off bags, offhand I would be really happy. That's the next challenge
Phil.