First Time To shoot my 45 Cal.Rifle

[squib load]

Hello,I went to a friends house in the country today.I got to shoot my kentucky 45 cal.I was shooting a hundred yards target with 45 grains of american pioneer powder.I dont know the twist of the barrel.It has a 33 in.barrel and shoots nice.I was hitting low and to the left.I moved the back sight over a small amount.Now do I file some off the front sight?I was using buffalo balletts of 200 grains.I swabbed between shots with water patch and a dry patch.I used a oxyoke wad after the powder.Did I miss anything?squib

 

[roundball]

Hello,I went to a friends house in the country today.I got to shoot my kentucky 45 cal.I was shooting a hundred yards target with 45 grains of american pioneer powder.I dont know the twist of the barrel.It has a 33 in.barrel and shoots nice.I was hitting low and to the left.I moved the back sight over a small amount.Now do I file some off the front sight?I was using buffalo balletts of 200 grains.I swabbed between shots with water patch and a dry patch.I used a oxyoke wad after the powder.Did I miss anything?squib

If you're planning to use it for deer hunting, the 45grn powder charge seems awfully, awfully light so you might want to be certain about your final plans/load for the rifle before filing that sight...as they say, you can't put the metal back on after you've filed it off.

I use 40grns as a 25yd squirrel load with a patched ball in a .45cal. By contrast, the minimum entry level powder charge in the T/C owner's manual for a 200grn conical is 80grns 2F (80-110grns).

 

[musketman]

If you're planning to use it for deer hunting, the 45grn powder charge seems awfully, awfully light

I must also agree, upping the load will flatten the trajectory and raise your point of impact, did your gun come with a manual booklet suggesting safe loads?

Squib load, who made your .45 Kentucky?

 

[Rebel]

It should be a 1-66" twist and 45 grs is way to light a load to hunt with. Try 70-80 grs of 3f powder in it. You will also find the point of impact changes with the heavier load.

 

[squib load]

Thanks guys,I will increase that load and see what happens.My rifle is made by Monarch,which is made by Hunter Arms out of New York State.I wont touch the sight.I didnt get a load book,so I was hopeing one of you would tell me what you were using.Squib