Got my Hunting Load!

[wtilenw]

Went shooting this morning early to avoid the heat. Been working up a load for my favorite gun, my .58 caliber TC with the GM barrel. I finally settled on 120 grains of KIK 2F behind a home cast 283 grain roundball. I used pillow tick patch treated with two dips of Stumpy's Moose Milk, allowed to dry between dips. I drew a Traditional Muzzleloader Deer Tag for Unit 45 this year and I think I have my load! I was jazzed. This target was shot at 100 yards with open sights off a bench. I cleaned the barrel between shots to simulate a clean barrel like I will be shooting at deer with. Click on the link below to see the target.
Idaho PRB

58 Group

 

[TN.Frank]

Wow, I'd say that should be more then good enough to fill your tag if ya' find a critter within 100 yrds. :thumbsup:

 

[BS]

Great shooting, and the rifle too! :grin:

Do you shoot a clean, dry barrel for the first shot? My patches blow on the first clean shot, then they all shoot fine after the barrel has some fouling in it. :hmm:

I just have to use a light canvas patch for the first shot.......same point of impact. :yakyak:

Good Luck with the Hunt!

 

[roundball]

This target was shot at 100 yards with open sights off a bench. I cleaned the barrel between shots to simulate a clean barrel like I will be shooting at deer with. Click on the link below to see the target.
58 Group

Excellent shooting...GM's .58cal barrels seem to be unbelieveably accurate, and you had to do your part to shoot that group at 100yds with iron sights...
:hatsoff:

 

[wtilenw]

"Do you shoot a clean, dry barrel for the first shot? My patches blow on the first clean shot, then they all shoot fine after the barrel has some fouling in it." Quote

I dont have any trouble with the first patch blowing out but I do notice a different point of impact (higher) after the barrel is fouled. That is why I tested this load by thoroughly cleaning the bore between shots so that my first shot at game will be right on. The second shot will be close, if slightly higher than the first but You usually have done it or not by then.
Idaho PRB

 

[sduve]

How did you miss that big quarter? :rotf: :rotf:

 

[BS]

"Do you shoot a clean, dry barrel for the first shot? My patches blow on the first clean shot, then they all shoot fine after the barrel has some fouling in it." Quote

I dont have any trouble with the first patch blowing out but I do notice a different point of impact (higher) after the barrel is fouled. That is why I tested this load by thoroughly cleaning the bore between shots so that my first shot at game will be right on. The second shot will be close, if slightly higher than the first but You usually have done it or not by then.
Idaho PRB

Have you tried to adjust the amount of powder on that first shot, say 125 or 130 grain to get the same point of impact?

Just load that first shot a little heavy, then keep using that 120 load, it seems to be a keeper! :thumbsup:

Great shooting :grin:

 

[ssettle]

some guys I know would be hard pressed to do what you did with a center fire rifle... :hatsoff: me included..ssettle

 

[Zonie]

Making some guesses I used the Lyman BP Handbook to come up with the velocity. It is probably low because it was shot using a 32 inch 1:48 twist barrel (but one never knows without actually testing).
It says in the above barrel, 120 grains of FFg Goex will develop a muzzle velocity of 1625 FPS (1619 ft/lb). At 100 yards the velocity is around 1044 FPS with a energy of 668 ft/lb.

The main reason I looked this up was to see if I could give you a mid range trajectory.
The answer my freeby program gives is +3.1 inches at 50 yards.
At 80 yards it is +2.3 inches and at 120 it is -4.1 inches.

That ought to give you a good yardstick to go by.

zonie

 

[Spring]

That target is a keeper. Well done.

The object of the exercise now is to wear out that barrel. Shoot the heck out of it and enjoy!

Cheers!

 

[Bob J]

That's incredible!

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I have really been thinking about that GM 58cal drop in for my T/C Renegade. I know it will get the job done here in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[cayugad]

I shoot the same barrel on a T/C Renegade. My load is 110 grains of Goex 2f, with Stumpkiller's moose milk damp, on a 100% cotton pillow tick patch. I've shot some excellent groups at 100 yards but never that good..

Nice Shooting. You should have little trouble taking a deer at 100 yards and even further.

 

[Lone Carabiner]

Impressive, most factory center-fire scoped rifle would have a time beating that group. Better than minute -of- deer by long shot.