contenderfan
36 Cal.
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2010
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Been lurkin around for a while, figure its time I make a post. I picked up an old T/C .50 Hawken some time back and finally got a chance to shoot it recently. I wasnt expecting much out of it, as the bore was pretty rusted...but, oily patches went down very smooth after a thorough cleaning, so that was some encouragement indicating the absence of pitting.
After snapping 3 caps on an empty bore to ensure a clear fire channel, I loaded a 30 gr. squib charge, fired it, and then wiped one time in and out with a few light spritzes of straight Windex.
My first three shots I started out with 75 gr. of 3f Goex and the only patch material I had available, which was pre-cut commercial .015 patches that I lubed with a little Ballistol, and Hornady .490 RB's at 40 yards to give the old gun and my over 40 trifocal eyes a chance. The first three shots measured a solid 6" if not more...my hopes started dwindling.
I upped the charge to 80 grs. and the group opened up as well. Hmmm...Next three shots I lowered the charge to 70 grs. and the three balls went into a 3" group...now were gettin somewhere.
Next three shots everything was kept the same except for less Windex on the wiping patch...3 spritz instead of 4, just enough to get the patch down the bore and back out with out hanging up, leaving just a touch more fouling in for a better seal. 3 shots into 2" group...heehee...now we are REALLY getting somewhere! Next three shot I changed nothing, just let the bore settle in to the conditions...3 shots into 1 1/2" group...this is getting fun!
The last three shot group at 40 yards I changed nothing...wanting to see if the group would stay consistant, I did adjust the rear sight since the group was printing off the dot, I brought the elevation down and windage to the left as it was hitting high and right and fired three more shots. This group measures 1 1/8"....outside to outside. I think I might even be able to get this down smaller with just a touch tighter patching...looking foward to trying some .018 patching soon.
After snapping 3 caps on an empty bore to ensure a clear fire channel, I loaded a 30 gr. squib charge, fired it, and then wiped one time in and out with a few light spritzes of straight Windex.
My first three shots I started out with 75 gr. of 3f Goex and the only patch material I had available, which was pre-cut commercial .015 patches that I lubed with a little Ballistol, and Hornady .490 RB's at 40 yards to give the old gun and my over 40 trifocal eyes a chance. The first three shots measured a solid 6" if not more...my hopes started dwindling.
I upped the charge to 80 grs. and the group opened up as well. Hmmm...Next three shots I lowered the charge to 70 grs. and the three balls went into a 3" group...now were gettin somewhere.
Next three shots everything was kept the same except for less Windex on the wiping patch...3 spritz instead of 4, just enough to get the patch down the bore and back out with out hanging up, leaving just a touch more fouling in for a better seal. 3 shots into 2" group...heehee...now we are REALLY getting somewhere! Next three shot I changed nothing, just let the bore settle in to the conditions...3 shots into 1 1/2" group...this is getting fun!
The last three shot group at 40 yards I changed nothing...wanting to see if the group would stay consistant, I did adjust the rear sight since the group was printing off the dot, I brought the elevation down and windage to the left as it was hitting high and right and fired three more shots. This group measures 1 1/8"....outside to outside. I think I might even be able to get this down smaller with just a touch tighter patching...looking foward to trying some .018 patching soon.