Interesting day at the range...

[ADK Bigfoot]

Went to the range today to get ready for the upcoming muzzleloader season here in New York Shot my 38" barreled TVM Late Lancaster .50 poor boy at 50 yards, over the chronograph. Repeated a test that I did last week before making some sight adjustments.

50 Grains GOEX 3F under .490 home cast round ball with a homemade red pillow ticking patch lubed with Bore Butter. 5 shots averaged 1425 fps, extreme spread of 92, standard deviation of 32. Nice group with a bit of horizontal spread.

60 Grains GOEX 3F, everything else the same. Average 1575 fps, extreme spread of 16.5, standard deviation of 7.5. Tight group of 4 with one a bit out (me.)

70 Grains GOEX 3F, everything else the same. Average 1700 fps, extreme spread 13, standard deviation of 5. Best group so far.

80 Grains GOEX 3F, same with the addition of a lubed felt wool wad under the patched round ball. (Last week 80 grains was starting to tear patches.) Average 1775 fps, extreme spread 6, standard deviation 2.8!!!!

I know that standard deviation over five shot groups is not statistically valid, but WOW did that tighten things up! Great group, solid patches. I think this dog will hunt.

Anyone else find a lubed felt wad advantageous? I had never tried that before in a rifled gun.

I will repeat the test with 80 grains, etc., with 20 shots next week.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Nemo Vir]

“ homemade red pillow ticking patch”

I thought casting your own balls was impressive, but to make your own pillow ticking....

 

[Rodd Boyer]

I've not tried a wad over powder, but after reading your results, I might!!!! My problem is that my felt wads are .45 and my deer rifles are .50 and .54.....
So I might have to use my .45 rifle if I can get good results!
Thanks for sharing!
Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

“ homemade red pillow ticking patch”

I thought casting your own balls was impressive, but to make your own pillow ticking....

That's nothing!

I even churn my own bore butter!

ADK Bigfoot

 

[bore_butter]

I read about the felt wad under powder here for quite a while. last year I received some .50 cal lubed wads from TOW and took it to the range. using the same load I usually use ( 75grns goex fff and home cast 370 maxi balls-lyman mold) my old TC Hawken tightened up the group substantially at 50yds. either touching or sometimes almost through the same hole. I'll be shoothing that rifle the same way from now on.

 

[olskool]

why dose that tighten the group up?

 

[Britsmoothy]

why dose that tighten the group up?

Similar to a gas checked bullet.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The group is tightened up because the wad minimizes the gas cutting of the bore diameter bands of the mini ball and protects the base of the miniball from deformation. That makes conditions on firing more consistent and when the firing process is consistent the result is improved accuracy.

 

[jdw276]

The group is tightened up because the wad minimizes the gas cutting of the bore diameter bands of the mini ball and protects the base of the miniball from deformation. That makes conditions on firing more consistent and when the firing process is consistent the result is improved accuracy.

Same for roundball? He was using 490 cast roundball i believe?

 

[towgunner11h]

I have had good results using a chunk of hornet nest between the powder and patched ball- was able to use a lighter patch without any burn through. This in a TVM Early Lancaster .62 caliber with round- bottom rifling. Very good accuracy, with all balls in one ragged hole at 50 yards.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I was responding to olskool who had improvements with lubed wads and a maxi ball.

A similar improvement in consistency will be observed with patched round ball. The wad will separate the patch from the forces of the burning powder, minimize gas cutting of the patch and applying some lubricant ahead of the new fouling.

 

[olskool]

sounds interesting, I may give it a shot,,,,,,,,,,

 

[hanshi]

For a long time I've used an op wad more often that not. I shoot only round ball and wadding under the prb sometimes tightens groups and increases velocity; but not always. But I've never had the addition of a wad lessen velocity or accuracy. When going out hunting the gun is always loaded with a felt op wad. Over the years I've employed many materials as wads; a dry patch, felt, leather, hornet nest, toilet paper and more. Being cheap (me as well), toilet paper excels at this. Never have I had any burn or even smolder. Mostly it turns to "snow" when fired or torn scraps among the fired patches. All these and many others function very well for shooting. And by the way, My .50 load of 70 grains of 3F is almost identical to your findings.