Bending my barrel

[rabjr]

Never done this before. Kinda scared too...Wish I had someone here that has done this before but I don't.

The gun is shooting consistantly 4" to the right at 50 yards. Before I do anything I need to be damn sure what I'm doing.

Barrel is out of the stock, make the bend in the middle? I want to pull on the breech end to the left, yes??

 

[Rebel]

WHAAAAT? You are going to bend your barrel? AAAAAAA :rotf: Move the front sight over to the right a little or just aim 4" to the left. :grin:

 

"scuse me Swampy but I really have to agree with Reb and err on the side of common sense here.

4" is not what I would call a "bendable error". I can change POI 4" by switching brands of powder or changing brands of RB!

If this is a smothbore without rear sight I am suprised you can claim a consistant POI @ 50 yds close enough to call it a 4" error to start with. A 4" diviation @ 50 is less than 1/64" between muzzle and breech. You can compensate for that with a good mallet swat against the front bead.

I'll guarentee that you can change POI 4" by sanding a layer of varnish off the cheek side of the stock or adding a leather wrapper around the stock. A misquito bite on the cheek will throw it off more than 4".

Barrel bending is for gross errors in POI that can be corrected in no other way.

 

[rabjr]

Hmm ok guess I've missunderstood this barrel bending thing...

I have the slot of the tang screw lined up with the front sight. Was using it to help line things up for the shot. Seemed to work pretty well for me, just shooting to the right.

 

[Rebel]

Just use the left edge of the tang screw instead of the center and see where she shoots.

 

[Russianblood]

My Northwest trade gun was shooting to the right and I just filed the turtle blade a bit thinner from the left side and it dead on now. :grin:

 

[Flintleather]

I bent mine with the help of a tree in my backyard wedged between two branches.My barrel was hitting 6in low at 25yds.I think the length 42in helped with leverage but it still took 4 trips to the tree and now its dead on.I wedged the octagon part of the barrel and pulled to bend.Take it slow, you'll be suprised how much pressure it actually takes to bend.

 

[rabjr]

I guess I need to get it in my head that these aren't rifles...

This was the last target I shot at. Used 90 gr FFF Swiss. Bottom 3 was the group, top one I just had to try 100 gr load. :grin: It's really not bad but I wish it was closer to center.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Try reducing that powder charge by 30 grains and try it again. I bet it will hit closer to center. It may strike lower, but that only requires the front sight to be filed down some.

 

[Rebel]

Yea, 90 grs of Swiss 3f is a pretty hot load. I would try 60-70 gr and see how it does.

 

[rabjr]

60 - 70 grains??! Damn they might see it comin! :haha: Yeah I didn't try 2F, probably shoulda. I'll reduce the load and try both powders next time.

 

[Russianblood]

I shoot 70gr 2F KIK and that's a lot of energy still. Heavy round balls are like the Energizer bunny . . . They keep going and going . . . . They don't have to go fast. :rotf:

 

[Hiparoo]

too much powder is often the problem with most smoothies I've owned or shot....I use around 75gr 3f in my .62-it's not slow and they can't "see it coming"...you'd be suprised at the penetration with a "good load"-get it dialed in for accuracy and then try the phone book and/or tin can penetration test...I killed a buffalo with a .62 using a .595 patched ball and 75gr 3f-this load is also "pie plate" accurate at 100yds...of course, this is only my experience-yours may vary..Mitch
PS-it looks to me, from your target, that you may be suffering from "flinch"-pulling away and down even minutely will cause this type of "pattern"...just my 2cent

 

[Leonredbeard]

SwampRat,
Heavy powder charges can turn your body toward the side you shoot from, right hand shooter will be pushed right,etc. A lower charge may actually place your impact higher at fifty yards due to longer barrel time thus pushing our barrel up. This sounds contradictory but it has been mine and others' experience.
volatpluvia

 

[rabjr]

I've learned a lot today. They are quite a differant animal than a rifle. :v

 

[arcticap]

If your a right handed shooter, you might try canting the stock just a little towards your cheek, and check to see whether you are tilting your head into the stock or not...keep head straight and cant the gun left a little bit. :hmm:

 

[rabjr]

I won't be bending my barrel. :grin:

Made and soldered a rear sight as this is a meat gun. This helped bringing the group back to center. Actually might be an 1" to the left now but thats ok. It's better than where it was at.

You guys were right. :bow: I started off with 70gr FFF Swiss, bear greased nitro wad, .595 ball on a .18 bear greased ticking. This load was so good, I never uped the charge! I can scare the 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock area of the 50 yard target all day long. It's actually shooting just under point of aim atm. Haven't decided whether or not to file the rear sight. We may get back to the range next Monday so I just may try to get the group a lil higher.

 

[Rebel]

If you want to Raise the group, then you don't want to file any off the rear sight. You may want to take a LITTLE off the front sight. Would like to try .595's in my .20 to see if i can use a Normal patch with them. With the .600's i have i have to use a Very Thin patch.

 

[rabjr]

Ach! Yes your right Rebel, my mistake. Front sight not rear. :haha:

 

[Rebel]

Just thought i would give ya a gentle reminder afore ya went and made a boo boo. :grin: