I am shooting a 54 cal with 1 in 48 twist .530 ball, .015 patch and 80 grains of FFG pyrodex powder.Shooting a 12x12 target At 50 yards resting on a wooden fence, I am not able to get a tight grouping. I am hitting the target every time but it is all over the place. Any sugestions on how to get a tight group ? Should I change powder charge ammount ?
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- Thread starter Daddybear
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Get away from the fence! Find a good solid rest to shoot from. Check your patches...I don't like to use any patches thinner than .018. I know some use thinner and have no problems but I like know my patch isn't going to fail. Thats the first two changes I would do, then go from there.
Changing patches may solve the problem but first you really need to shoot a few shots with your current load.
Then you need to find the shot patches and examine them.
The outer edges will be tattered but the area where the ball was seated against the bore should be uncut and have no burned material.
The area that was behind the ball may be dark brown or it may look almost like it did before it was shot.
If there are rips or tares where the patch was against the rifling, that is the problem.
Tares or rips can happen when the ball/patch is being loaded at the muzzle, while it is being rammed down the bore or it can happen when the gun is fired.
You really should examine the rifling at the muzzle.
Most new barrels have a bunch of sharp edges there.
If your rifle barrel has sharp edges in that location, get yourself a piece of the black, wet/dry sandpaper in 320 or 400 grit.
Tear a piece of it off and press it down into the muzzle with your thumb. Then rotate your thumb and the paper back and forth to sand away all of the sharp edges. This should fix part of the problem.
If your using very old pre-lubed patches, the lube may have caused the cotton fibers to weaken so try some new patches.
Make sure they have enough lubtication on them and try shooting again. Again, examine the patches for rips and tares and burned areas.
Your gun really should shoot better than you say it is and I think if we are given enough information about your findings we'll get it working like it should.
Then you need to find the shot patches and examine them.
The outer edges will be tattered but the area where the ball was seated against the bore should be uncut and have no burned material.
The area that was behind the ball may be dark brown or it may look almost like it did before it was shot.
If there are rips or tares where the patch was against the rifling, that is the problem.
Tares or rips can happen when the ball/patch is being loaded at the muzzle, while it is being rammed down the bore or it can happen when the gun is fired.
You really should examine the rifling at the muzzle.
Most new barrels have a bunch of sharp edges there.
If your rifle barrel has sharp edges in that location, get yourself a piece of the black, wet/dry sandpaper in 320 or 400 grit.
Tear a piece of it off and press it down into the muzzle with your thumb. Then rotate your thumb and the paper back and forth to sand away all of the sharp edges. This should fix part of the problem.
If your using very old pre-lubed patches, the lube may have caused the cotton fibers to weaken so try some new patches.
Make sure they have enough lubtication on them and try shooting again. Again, examine the patches for rips and tares and burned areas.
Your gun really should shoot better than you say it is and I think if we are given enough information about your findings we'll get it working like it should.
Besides trying everything else mentioned swab the bore after every shot. I also have a .54cal with a 1-48". Mine were all over the paper too. Shooting .530 rbs with .018 prelubed ticking. I found mine shoots better with 100gr of 2F and swab between shots. I use a tree limb as a rest. Shrunk my groups down to 3"@50yds.
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I know that the huge majority of shooters here prefer RB's. I personally like conicals. My 1:48 rifles all shoot maxi balls and maxi hunters very well- grouping 1 1/2 -2 1/2 in at 50 yards with many shots touching. Unfortunately finding them in .54 is getting difficult. Some of the guys say their guns shoot Hornady Great Plains bullets well.
Rat Trapper
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morehops said:
As for finding 54 caliber conicals, try Midway, Midsouth shooters supply, Track of the wolf, Cains out doors & there are more places not listed. Ya just have to know where to look.
Just got me a T.C. Renegade 54 cal. 1/48 Twist.
When it warms up, I am going to shoot some 530 RB & Conicals. Going to try different makers and weights to determine what it likes.
I use a .015 lubed patch for the RB and a lubed 1/4 inch felt wad over powder.
Will try a lubed conical with a 1/4 inch lubed wad over the powder.
Plan on doing a lot of shooting to see which one gives me the best grouping at 75 yds.
Talk about having fun. Come on warmer weather. :thumbsup:
When it warms up, I am going to shoot some 530 RB & Conicals. Going to try different makers and weights to determine what it likes.
I use a .015 lubed patch for the RB and a lubed 1/4 inch felt wad over powder.
Will try a lubed conical with a 1/4 inch lubed wad over the powder.
Plan on doing a lot of shooting to see which one gives me the best grouping at 75 yds.
Talk about having fun. Come on warmer weather. :thumbsup:
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