My rifle seems to like smokin loads

[KHickam]

Well, I tried new patch/ball combo in my rifle for hunting - normally use different patch but tried the ox yoke wonder lube patches - just so I can keep my gun loaded between hunts.

started out with 90 grs - worked up to 100 - 110 and finally 120 grs of FFg (this is a 49 cal rifle) and at 110 grs the group was really tight and I figure that will be good enough - tried lower charges but the groups started opening up and getting erratic - seems this gun likes charges over 100 grs. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

Dan'l Hickham

 

[Rifleman1776]

And...the question is???
Congrats, you found yer sweet spot. :applause:
Now go hunting.

 

[BrownBear]

What's the twist rate?

In my experience so far, the really slow-for-caliber twists for a caliber can require higher velocities for stability. Kind of the flip side of faster twists finding their RB sweet spots at lower vels.

For example, I have a 1:48 62 cal that's best at around 80 grains of 2f, while my 1:100+ gun wants at least 140 grains and might be better with even more (don't remember for sure, but I think it's either 1:105 or 1:110). And my 1:70 seems best between 100 and 120 grains.

I see much the same comparing my 1:48 and 1:70 58 cal barrels, and 1:32, 1:48, 1:60 and 1:72 barrels in 50 and 54 cal.

Dunno if it's my imagination or if others are getting similar trends. I don't claim science in all that, and I don't claim to have shot 100's of guns. Just what I'm seeing.

 

[KHickam]

Twist is 1 in 66 - Max loads recommended by the manufacturer is 80 grs FFg - that seems like plenty but I am sure the barrel will handle the 110 gr loads with no problem (hunting only) and the recoil is very manageable.

contrast that with a 60 gr load (which is what I shoot on targets) - and most accurate moderate load.

Just a statement not a question -

 

[hanshi]

Never worry; just feed 'em what they ask for and enjoy.

 

[rr11]

All rifles are different. I have two .54 flints one shoots best with 70 gr the other likes 100 gr. Go with what the rifle wants.

 

[Dphar]

Well, I tried new patch/ball combo in my rifle for hunting - normally use different patch but tried the ox yoke wonder lube patches - just so I can keep my gun loaded between hunts.

started out with 90 grs - worked up to 100 - 110 and finally 120 grs of FFg (this is a 49 cal rifle) and at 110 grs the group was really tight and I figure that will be good enough - tried lower charges but the groups started opening up and getting erratic - seems this gun likes charges over 100 grs. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

Dan'l Hickham

Some do like heavy charges, if I had to make a statement I would say most. Nor am I sure that twist rate will change this. At least in RB twists slower than 48" unless very slow. I don't think that twists slower than 72-80 are needed for any caliber under 12 bore and 80 may work for much larger than that.

Dan