How my Lyman GPR got its mojo back

[Maven]

Years ago I purchased a little used and custom finished .50cal. GPR from Track of the Wolf. Range testing showed it to be quite accurate with both .490" and .495" patched RB's. In recent years, however, it seems to have lost its "mojo," but I couldn't figure out why. (It was accurate enough for most trail/woods walk targets and 25 yd. targets if large enough, but the wheels came off the wagon at 50.) Lately, in shooting a monthly postal match for the ALR, I figured out why, To wit, sometime in the past I must have inadvertently swapped the front and rear barrel wedges. Replacing them, monkeying with the powder charge a bit (It seems to like 65 - 70gr. FFg at that distance.) and going to a .495" RB + .011" patch seemed to do the trick.* Here's a photo from yesterday's outing (50 yd., bench rest):


*I know what you're thinking, about changing one thing and claiming it caused "miraculous" results (Post hoc fallacy), but I've tried it all except swapping the wedges before and trust me, I haven't seen such grouping in a long time.

 

[hanshi]

I see that mojo is indeed back.

 

[swoter]

Such a little thing to make a big difference.

 

[springfield art]

Years ago I purchased a little used and custom finished .50cal. GPR from Track of the Wolf. Range testing showed it to be quite accurate with both .490" and .495" patched RB's. In recent years, however, it seems to have lost its "mojo," but I couldn't figure out why. (It was accurate enough for most trail/woods walk targets and 25 yd. targets if large enough, but the wheels came off the wagon at 50.) Lately, in shooting a monthly postal match for the ALR, I figured out why, To wit, sometime in the past I must have inadvertently swapped the front and rear barrel wedges. Replacing them, monkeying with the powder charge a bit (It seems to like 65 - 70gr. FFg at that distance.) and going to a .495" RB + .011" patch seemed to do the trick.* Here's a photo from yesterday's outing (50 yd., bench rest):


*I know what you're thinking, about changing one thing and claiming it caused "miraculous" results (Post hoc fallacy), but I've tried it all except swapping the wedges before and trust me, I haven't seen such grouping in a long time.

Whooda thunk?

 

[Boomerang]

Yep, the little things can make a difference. You better engrave the wedges so you know which is which.

 

[Maven]

So true Boomerang. Btw, when the front wedge backed out of the stock under normal loads, I knew it was time for a change!