Blue Ridge rear sight

[Scott Olesen]

Can anyone tell me what the size of the rear sight dovetail is on a Cabelas Blue Ridge .54 flint? I have just started shooting it and it shoots really low. I would like to add a primitive rear peep sight. Also, I was using a .530 ball and .012 patch and was really hard to start, are you supposed to whack the short starter to get the ball in the barrel? Any advice is appreciated.

PW

 

[jethro224]

I don't know the dovetail size but you can easily raise the point of impact by filing the top of the front sight down. If you are dead-set on a peep rear you may not want to do this tho.

As to your second question; Some guys whack the short starter, some guys even use a mallet, I usually just push hard. Kinda depends on the rifle, load, and shooters size and strength.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You have to file down the front sight on the Blue Ridge to sight her in..., and in fact to get the full potential accuracy from it, you will need to swap out the front sight to a thin blade. I prefer thin silver myself. Out beyond 50 yards the factory front sight post will look like you are balancing a quarter on top of a 2x4. The thinner blade will give you more precision.

Next, you need to check your round ball and be sure they are all lead OR switch to a smaller alloy ball, and check your patch thickness and try thinner. You should be able to ram the ball home with short strokes of the ramrod after starting the .530 ball and a .012 patch with the butt of a knife handle, pushing them flush with the muzzle. If you're fighting more than that..., your combination may be tighter than it needs to be. I never needed a short starter.

Finally pay very close attention to the patches, as Pedersoli barrels on those rifles are notorious for cutting patches. The breech is an "improved" breech so you will need to keep it very clean and may need a .22 bore brush if you experience ignition problems.

LD

 

[ebiggs1]

I have no out of the ordinary issues from my 54 cal Blue Ridge.
I use Hornady 530 balls and .018 (give or take) pillow ticking patch from Walmart.
It is no more difficult to load than any of the other 54s I have.

I usually just start the ball with a 1 ¼ inch wide and 2 feet long patch strip around it.
Use the tiny little stub on your short starter. Cut your patch which has Bore Butter or plain olive oil on it.

A good hit with the palm or heel of my hand will push the ball/patch combo down 6 inches or so. Now a good long stroke with my range rod and it is seated.

Remember more lube is better than less. Error on the too much side if you don't know how much to use. A dry or under lubbed patch/ball will load harder. Your fired patches will look simular to this.

Just like more prime is better than less. Error on the too much side if you don't know how much to use.
And do NOT bank it away from the touch hole which has been drilled 5/64th,.........right?
Pedersoli/Cabelas touch hole liners need attention to work properly and reliably.

 

[Leatherbark]

I had one of those once upon a time. I tried to use the .530 and a .018 patch and it was a bear to load. I eventually went to a .527 ball and a .015 patch. Make sure your balls are pure lead. If they are made out of anything else they will be too large in diameter, especially wheel weights.

By the way the dovetails are 3/8ths inch
Bob

 

[Scott Olesen]

I appreciate the advice guys, I have to admit that I have never loaded roundballs before. I have to figure out some of ths as I go. I have learned the hard way to ask questions when something doesn't seem right. I don't have any problems once the ball gets started so I will just whack the short starter from now on to get it in the barrel.

Have a good one,

PW

 

[bigmike]

I used the same exact load ,(.530 ball and .012 patch) It is a little hard to start, but using a short starter will help. This is a fun gun to shoot.