Flintlock accuracy and need help finding load

[westrayer]

Try FFFg. I have been shooting it for 40 years. Burns cleaner and faster velocities.
I know you don't have any but maybe someone is close to you and can help you out with a bit to try.
Given the money you have in the rifle, it would be worth the money to try some. My T/C and Lyman 1-48 twist guns shoot better than that at 100.

 

[andy52]

You may have indicated this in one of your posts, but I'll ask anyway: Are you shooting freehand or off a rest?
As suggested I would give 3F a try at about 80 or 90 grains, 58 is about the cut-off point for me using 3F larger I use 2F. Most of my flinters a capable of better accuracy than you show on your targets off the bench.

 

[HighUintas]

You may have indicated this in one of your posts, but I'll ask anyway: Are you shooting freehand or off a rest?
As suggested I would give 3F a try at about 80 or 90 grains, 58 is about the cut-off point for me using 3F larger I use 2F. Most of my flinters a capable of better accuracy than you show on your targets off the bench.

Those targets were off sandbags on a bench :/

I'll certainly try some 3f at some point. It just probably won't be before my hunt.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I had a rifle that suddenly the groups opened up. @HighUintas, have you verified that the sights are secure in their dovetails? It only takes sight movement shot to shot for groups to drastically open up.

My problem was the front sight was loose.

Did light conditions change?

 

[Taevers]

I had a rifle that suddenly the groups opened up. @HighUintas, have you verified that the sights are secure in their dovetails? It only takes sight movement shot to shot for groups to drastically open up.

My problem was the front sight was loose.

Did light conditions change?

I’ve seen the same several times. Enough that it’s my first suspect.

 

[HighUintas]

I had a rifle that suddenly the groups opened up. @HighUintas, have you verified that the sights are secure in their dovetails? It only takes sight movement shot to shot for groups to drastically open up.

My problem was the front sight was loose.

Did light conditions change?

That's a good thought and I actually did catch that happening last year!

My front sight has moved... I noticed a sudden shift one direction about 12" at 50 yards and found it had moved when I was loading the ball and had my hand on the sight. I've since peened the copper base a bit to tighten it up and put a witness mark on it. It hasn't moved since.

The rear sight is very tight. No movement there.

Light conditions .... Possibly, but I usually shoot under a covered range so it's fairly dark underneath compared to sunlight exposure.

My front sight has the rear portion cut almost vertical but with a slight undercut so that no light will reflect off of it. I'm essentially looking at a dark post in my semi buckhorn rear when aiming, so I don't think changed light would affect my poi with those circumstances.

 

[WadeP]

Lots of great suggestions and I’ve learned a lot from this thread.

I’ll throw in my 2 cents based on my experiences.

Shooting an open sight rifle from a bench is a learned skill and different than a scoped rifle. I don’t know about the OP, but my eyes are not what they used to be and I find it difficult to get good sight alignment on bullseye targets. A square target or a bold crosshair make it easier.