Le Page range report

[biliff]

Took my new LePage out to get it on paper and try some different loads.
All shooting was at 25 yards off of sandbags.
Used a Speer .433 RB, .015 patch lubed with Bore Butter, Remington #10 caps and APP powder in FFFg granulation. Took an assortment of Lee dippers with me to try various charges.

This ball/patch combo was pretty tight and hard to start, but once started it went down the bore easily.

The 1.6 cc dipper (about 25 grains) produced a 3" 5 shot group, well centered but about 6" high.
Dropped down to the[url] 1.3cc[/url] dipper (about 20 grains) and fired a 1 1/2" 5 shot group smack dab in the middle of the first group.
At that point I decided to try and drop the POI down. The rear sight on this pistol is very easily adjusted for elevation by simply turning a screw behing the rear sight. There aren't any index marks, so it took a few shots to get it centered. Anyway, once centered, I tried 1 cc of powder (about 15 grains) and shot a 4 shot group that pretty much cut one ragged hole. Had to stop at that point as a line of thunderstorms moved in and shooting became somewhat impractical.

Now I need to go build a loading stand.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Sounds like you've got a real shooter there! I doubt I could hold a 1" group at 25 with any iron sighted pistol!

 

[Blivetmaker]

LePage is great ain't it? :thumbsup: You need to be reeeeeeealy careful with that nice shiney new muzzle crown. Those grooves look uniform and precise now and you paid some money for that precision. If you don't take care (use muzzle protector while loading, cleaning, swabbing) your
groups will open up. :shocked2:
If you've got the set trigger on "just-thinking- about-it" mode, you'd do well to test the weapon in extreme cold or hot conditions by thumping the stock with the ball of your hand with the trigger set but gun unloaded and uncocked. Temperature changes can make a set trigger unsafe.
Congrats! That's some fine shooting.

 

[biliff]

Here's the target (I hope):

 

[crgabel]

Hey Bill, Great shooting.Have you had it out lately? Just wondered if you have become more comfortable with it yet?
Did you get it from Dixie?
I see they have a few types and wondered if any one had any reason to believe that one shot better than the rest.

Craig

 

[biliff]

Have had it out one more time, this time to sight in for off hand shooting. Found it about 4" higher shooting one handed than off the sandbags. The groups weren't quite as tight either, but I don't think it was the gun.:rotf: :rotf:
The grips weren't all that hard to get used too as I have been shooting a New Model Russian revolver for CAS and the set up is very similiar, including the trigger guard spur.
I bought the gun from Dixie, (noticed TOW posted a brand new one on their sight last week for $100 less, of course).
They have a number of different target/duelling pistols at Dixie, all from Pedersoli and all have been winning matches. If I'd been able to handle them all individually I might have gone for a different one just based on feel but that just wasn't an option so I went with the LePage as it seemed to be pretty popular and most everybody is happy with theirs.

 

[mec]

Excellent target pistols. I had to locktite the threads on my set trigger to keep it from going light on me. Otherwise, perfect.

 

[Puffer]

That seems to be the situation with Pedersoli "target" pistols. Both my Mortimers,(1 flint, 1 cap ) have this same situation.BUT they do make shooters. :hatsoff: ENJOY :applause:

Puffer

 

[crgabel]

That's intresting about the 4" higher shooting one handed. I just completed a KY pistol and have the same results. I've been trying to figure it out for the last 2 weeks.
Thanks for the info.
Craig

 

[Tight_Wad]

As regards using a loading stand, I tried it and don't bother with it anymore. It has some merit with a revolver (though I don't use one for that anymore either) but with the pistol you have to remove it from the stand to tap start the ball in the muzzle anyway. I wouldn't recommend hammering the ball in the muzzle with the pistol in a loading stand - puts too much strain on the grip and may crack the stock. I used to place the pistol in the stand, pour the powder down a long-drop funnel then hold the pistol by the barrel in my left hand whilst tapping the ball to start it in the muzzle. IMO don't bother with a stand - it takes more time and it's easier to use your hands throughout!

Tight Wad :hatsoff:

 

[biliff]

That's intresting about the 4" higher shooting one handed. I just completed a KY pistol and have the same results. I've been trying to figure it out for the last 2 weeks.

Craig,
I think it has to do with the butt of the pistol resting on the back sandbag. Changes the recoil characteristics so the muzzle doesn't rise as much as when shooting duelist resulting in a lower POI from the bags. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[mec]

It is a good theory. I don't believe I've ever shot mine from a bench rest. This group was at 50 yards. I was sitting on the ground with my back rested and the pistol between my knees. Hit pretty much to the same poi as free standing.

 

[Norskie]

I had the same problem and found out my trigger finger was rubbing on the stock. Just enough to raise the point of impact 3 inches every time. I didn't realize I was holding it differently when I was at the bench.

 

[crgabel]

You make a good point, I just got the old boy out and feel that you are correct. Well that being said I'm not going to adjust anything because I use it only to shoot matches and it is going quite well. I just needed to know WHY.
Thanks
Craig