Help needed. First day on the range.

[pj57fire]

Today was my first time shooting my new flintlock and I ran into a problem. I am hoping that I could get some advice or answers from you guys. This is my set-up: Lyman Deerstalker 50 cal, 70 grains Goex 2F in the barrel, 4f Goex in the pan, .490 hornaday round ball, .20 thickness lubed patch. After adjusting the flint because of the pan not firing, every shot went off perfect. (Even on a wet and misty day!) After every shot I would run one wet patch and one dry patch down the barrel. First 2 shots were 8 inches high, 4 inches right. Adjusted the rear sight for the next few shots and eventually ran out of room to move the rear sight down. At this point I am still 6 inches high. What are my options now? Am I forced to shoot a heavier bullet or ball, use less powder, or is there something I can do to my gun to help the problem? Any advice would be appreciated. Also I am adding a photo of my patches that I shot. Can anyone tell if they look ok or if they show something I should know? On the picture showing the rear sight, I cannot move it down anymore even though it shows I have 1/8th inch more room. The screw that tightens down the sight is at the very back of the sight and has no more room.

 

[wilded]

You did not say at what range? You can always put a higher front sight on the rifle.

 

[pj57fire]

I was shooting at 50 yards.

 

[ohio ramrod]

taller front sight is called for.patches look good.

 

[mazo kid]

Unless you NEED the adjustable rear sight, I would change it to a fixed sight. They are lower to start with; also a lot of matches call for fixed rear sight and patched round ball.

 

[Rogue River]

You have those fiber optic sights, they look like the same ones I have on one of my mountain rifles(plastic). I had the same problem and I took a small drill bit (1/16") and carefully drilled a small channel below the 2 green dots so that it was deeper. Drill so that you have a hole below the dots then open up with a small file. Great sights for bad eyes but I can't use them during muzzleloader season and I imagine they wouldn't be allowed in competion shooting.

 

The sights you are using are almost certainly your problem. If you need to keep the rear sight that is on your rifle you will have to get a considerably HIGHER front sight. If you can do without the fiber optic sight then I would change both front and rear to a fixed sight and bring them both down closer to the bore. It will cure your elevation problem and give you more flexibility in the loads you can use.
Mark

 

[Billnpatti]

Everything looks okay but you need to replace your front sight with a taller one. They are readily available from any of the many places that sell supplies for muzzleloaders.

There is a way to calculate how much more front sight you need. You take a careful measurement from your rear sight to your front sight and we'll call that measurement "X". Then calculate how many inches it is from your muzzle to the target. If you are shooting at 25 yards, the number would be 25 X 36 = 900. At 50 yrds it would be 1800, etc. We'll call this measurement "Y". Now, determine how many inches you need to move your POI down. We'll call this final measurement "Z". Now simply divide X by Y and multiply this number by Z. You will end up with the fraction of an inch that you need to increase the height of your front sight. Now, go measure the height of your front sight from the base to the top and order whichever sight you want that is taller than that. The reason you want a sight that is taller than what you calculated is to allow enough front sight for you to file down for your final adjustment.

Of course, you can't file front sights that have the fiber optic inserts and if you want to keep your fiber optic sights, you will have to either get a taller front sight that is within the adjustment range of your rear sight or replace your rear sight with one that adjusts lower than the one that you now have. Now here is what I'd do if I were you, I'd replace both the front sight and the rear sight with non-adjustable sights. You just file them and forget them. That way, you will be ready for either the woods or the target range. Some states do not allow adjustable sights for hunting during muzzleloader season. I don't know of any sanctioned muzzleloading matches where adjustable sights are allowed. :thumbsup:

So, anyway, those are the thoughs of an old fart who has been making and shooting muzzleloaders for over 40 years. The opinion's free and it may be over priced. Just take it for what it's worth. :haha:

 

[FPDoc]

All perfectly good solutions. I add these obvious suggestions in all seriousness.
1. Move your target back until you hit exactly where you want.
2. Put an aiming point below the bull.
3. Learn where to aim to have the ball hit where you want it to at any reasonable range (like you will do anyway when you are out hunting or plinking).
Dang I'm old and cheap and lazy. :grin:

 

[montanatim]

If you do opt for the new(taller) front sight, measure your dove tail. Lyman uses metric dove tails, and you don't want to get the wrong size. Unless you are ready to modify the base or slot to match.