Changing Powder charges on woodswalk.

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Question: I change my powder charge on woodswalk based upon distance of the shot. Example: I use 45 grains 3f in my 45 cal at shots 50 yards and under. 75 yards I use 55 grains and at 100-125 I use 65 grains. This keeps my point of aim the same. Downfall 45 grains it shoots best groups. But upping the charge vs using holdover works better for me, and I score better with more hits. Some other shooters yesterday found it shocking I was using different loads on different targets. Basically they said wow that shot sounded weaker than your last. Does anyone else do this or am I am odd ball. I know my rifles well and know what to do to get consecutive (hopefully) hits out to 125

 

[Iceman]

I think the answer is going to vary depending on the types of targets people encounter on a woods walk.
For me, no i don’t change loads. But the vast majority of targets I encounter on woods walks in my area are close, cut a card, hanging beads, stuff like that. The rare shot at a longer range I just hold over.
Whatever works for you, I wouldn’t worry about what anyone else is doing, as you said changing loads gives you a better score.

 

[yonderin]

Strikes me that changing either charge or holdover requires accurate knowledge of the range.
I've got a Lyman 57 on my TC that I've set up so I can easily change between two ranges. Factory sight is set up for a third, just pop the peep off if needed. If a different target range is needed it's best guess at holdover, but I seldom shoot targets beyond 100 which is my highest sight setting.
Works well enough for me.

 

[waksupi]

Your rifle has one most accurate load. Use that for all distances. Bench rest your rifle at 25, 50, 75, 100 yards, and learn the trajectory. If shooting off hand, the variation isn't enough to be a problem if you know your rifle and load.
I suspect if your most accurate load in a .45 is 45 grains, you are having some problems with anticipating recoil.

 

[Rancocas]

I haven't done a woodswalk in over 30 years. I suppose some things have changed.
I always thought the idea of a woodswalk was to roughly simulate a hunter/frontiersman strolling through the wilderness and taking shots at various game and/or enemies as they are encountered. Therefor you would always be loaded with your normal hunting/defense load. So, to me, changing loads to suit the specific situations just seems contrary to the whole concept.

 

[flatcreek]

Don't think there is a right or wrong, it's what works best for you and what you like. I very my load a maybe 10 gr depending if I'm target shooting, hunting, or trying a long shot 100yd or more.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

The only load change I make for a woods walk is I use a .480 ball versus my usual .490 ball (50 cal.)
Ease of loading, no need for a range rod, and more shots (12 or better) before I have to wipe.
At the range, I use a tight .490/patch combination, use a short starter and a range rod, and I wipe (one damp, one dry) after every shot.
Accuracy is close enough and I have learned poa/poi so I can point and shoot.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Your rifle has one most accurate load. Use that for all distances. Bench rest your rifle at 25, 50, 75, 100 yards, and learn the trajectory. If shooting off hand, the variation isn't enough to be a problem if you know your rifle and load.
I suspect if your most accurate load in a .45 is 45 grains, you are having some problems with anticipating recoil

Your rifle has one most accurate load. Use that for all distances. Bench rest your rifle at 25, 50, 75, 100 yards, and learn the trajectory. If shooting off hand, the variation isn't enough to be a problem if you know your rifle and load.
I suspect if your most accurate load in a .45 is 45 grains, you are having some problems with anticipating recoil.

It’s definitely not a recoil issue, that’s what it likes. I demand accuracy from every gun I own or I no longer own it. I can one hand off the bench hit point targets at 1500 meters with the Barrett m107 50 bmg. Recoil doesn’t affect me much. Ok I lied the 500 S&W snubby I carried in backwoods off Alaska was brutal I flinched often shooting it. But ml’ers nahh it’s a gentle push back. But the groups on previous mentioned 45 touch at 50 but open up at 100, I up charge 20 grains at 100 it tightens back up.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

The only load change I make for a woods walk is I use a .480 ball versus my usual .490 ball (50 cal.)
Ease of loading, no need for a range rod, and more shots (12 or better) before I have to wipe.
At the range, I use a tight .490/patch combination, use a short starter and a range rod, and I wipe (one damp, one dry) after every shot.
Accuracy is close enough and I have learned poa/poi so I can point and shoot.

ADK Bigfoot

I just change guns due to type of match. 25 yard paper match scoring half the ball- 32 cal. 100 yard bench 45 cal or up. Smoothbore well smoothie. I got enough guns I might shoot 4 or more in various matches at an event. Obviously unless a gun breaks I finish the match with gun I started that match with.

 

[Ed C.]

I don't have the opportunity to do woods walks. But for target shooting I increase the powder for longer distances to keep the same point of aim. Holding the gun higher at longer distances causes the target to get covered by the sights and it turns into a guessing game for me.

 

[Kansas Jake]

If it works for you, who cares.

 

[mtfishn]

Question: I change my powder charge on woodswalk based upon distance of the shot. Example: I use 45 grains 3f in my 45 cal at shots 50 yards and under. 75 yards I use 55 grains and at 100-125 I use 65 grains. This keeps my point of aim the same. Downfall 45 grains it shoots best groups. But upping the charge vs using holdover works better for me, and I score better with more hits. Some other shooters yesterday found it shocking I was using different loads on different targets. Basically they said wow that shot sounded weaker than your last. Does anyone else do this or am I am odd ball. I know my rifles well and know what to do to get consecutive (hopefully) hits out to 125

I do it all the time...even on fixed targets where the range is known, I use nearly identical charges as you in my .45, a little lighter perhaps, 40gr FFF at 25-50 and 60grFFF at 100yds exact same sight picture/hold at all ranges

 

[waksupi]

I don't have the opportunity to do woods walks. But for target shooting I increase the powder for longer distances to keep the same point of aim. Holding the gun higher at longer distances causes the target to get covered by the sights and it turns into a guessing game for me.

You have to gain 300 fps to make any appreciable difference in trajectory.

 

[Ed C.]

You have to gain 300 fps to make any appreciable difference in trajectory.

My next project. 60g at 50 yards and 75g at 100 yards lets me keep the same point of aim without adjusting the sights. I'll check the FPS on both those loads next time out. In about 2-3 weeks.

 

[ZUG]

95% of the time I shoot 60 grains of 3F and a .440 ball with a .018 patch. This is my accuracy load up to 100 yards. I seldom vary from it.

 

[SDSmlf]

Question: I change my powder charge on woodswalk based upon distance of the shot. Example: I use 45 grains 3f in my 45 cal at shots 50 yards and under. 75 yards I use 55 grains and at 100-125 I use 65 grains. This keeps my point of aim the same. Downfall 45 grains it shoots best groups. But upping the charge vs using holdover works better for me, and I score better with more hits. Some other shooters yesterday found it shocking I was using different loads on different targets. Basically they said wow that shot sounded weaker than your last. Does anyone else do this or am I am odd ball. I know my rifles well and know what to do to get consecutive (hopefully) hits out to 125

If your primary goal is knocking over targets or punching paper, go with what works and don’t worry if other shooters on your woods walk are shocked.

Personally, I like to find my accuracy load and stick with it except for real close plinking. With 50, 54, 58 and 62 caliber roundball hunting guns I try and get an 85 yard zero with an accurate hunting load that is less than 3” low at 100 yards and no more than 3” high between 40-50 yards. Gives a single sight picture and aim point out to 100 yards. And then I find that powderpuff/plinking/squirrel load that works at 25 yards without a sight adjustment. This basically means all my roundball hunting guns shoot ‘about’ to the same point of aim out to 125 yards, my extreme limit for roundball hunting. I find the less you have to think about things when hunting the better. With 45 caliber roundball guns I may bring the zero in from 85 yards, depends…..