My Road to Accuracy.

[PowderMonkey]

Finally got to the range and I was able to get a bench on the 25 yard line. I have been reading and making some changes trying to improve the accuracy on my flintlock, a Lyman GPR .50 cal. Today’s results were very satisfying, I made some good progress.

The last time I went my groups were not very good, they were about 4 inches and some flyers. This time with the changes I made seems to fix that and I’m heading in the right direction. Now I know it’s only 25yards but its promising and next step is going out to 50 yards and see how it goes.

Changes I made (I know some may not agree with some or all of these steps or have a different way of doing things. This is just to share what is working for me)

1.Changed the rear from the adjustable spring loaded sight to the primitive fixed sight that comes with the rifle. No more movement on the rear sight and as luck would have it the sight was dead on at 25 yards.

2.495 balls, weight and sorted them out. Discarded the too light and too heavy and kept the balls within 1 grain variance.

3.Patch, using the dry patch system. I was worried that it would not be lubricated enough but they worked great. One part Ballistol mixed with 3 parts water. Soak the patching material then let it dry and place in an air tight container till ready to use. No mess, consistent lube and worked great.

4.Patching material, pillow ticking cut into strips and cut at the muzzle.

5.Wipe between shots. Wiped the bore with a cotton cleaning patch moistened with alcohol. The patch is just moist not drenching wet and the alcohol dries quickly.

The target is a 3 inch bull at 25yards, 6 shots.

Future changes planned. I got my casting equipment ready so I will be casting my own so this will be one less variable to deal with and have under control. This is really an enjoyable process and looking forward to hopefully improve. Thanks to everyone here that shared information to get me started.

 

[necchi]

Good for you!!
Keep experimenting with the mix. 1-3 is still pretty slick. I'm getting my best accuracy in the 1-6/1-7 range

 

[PowderMonkey]

Good for you!!
Keep experimenting with the mix. 1-3 is still pretty slick. I'm getting my best accuracy in the 1-6/1-7 range

Hi Necchi, originally i did a batch with 1/7 and after it dried it felt as there was not enough lubrication. This is probably from my experience with previous patching lube (Bore Butter, you can really tell it's on there) i was worried there was not enough lubrication and i would have to pound the ball if stuck so i went to a 1/3. will try a batch of 1/7 next time and see how it goes, i feel a bit more confident that this dry system will work.

 

[necchi]

Try a 1-4 then a 1-5 then a 1-6,,,,
I use a table spoon.
Get yourself 4-5 strips (enough for 5 shots)
Mix 1-4, dip a strip
add another water, dip a strip.
add another water, dip a strip
ect.
It's not exact, but it'll give you an idea if it's heading in the right direction, :wink:

 

[PowderMonkey]

Try a 1-4 then a 1-5 then a 1-6,,,,
I use a table spoon.
Get yourself 4-5 strips (enough for 5 shots)
Mix 1-4, dip a strip
add another water, dip a strip.
add another water, dip a strip
ect.
It's not exact, but it'll give you an idea if it's heading in the right direction, :wink:

Thanks, will give it a try.

 

[Ken Cormier]

Nice shooting looks like your getting it down.

 

[PowderMonkey]

Nice shooting looks like your getting it down.

Thank you.

 

[William O.]

I'd say you're on the right track for sure! Good luck for finding that perfect load combo for your rifle, it really feels good when you get there.

 

[PowderMonkey]

I'd say you're on the right track for sure! Good luck for finding that perfect load combo for your rifle, it really feels good when you get there.

Thanks Bull. It made me feel good that all the details i worked on so far showed an improvement. Still more work to do but it's fun seeing the improvement.

By looking at my target would you say next step is to move out to 50 yards and see how they group or keep working at 25 yards and try to make the group tighter then move?

 

[mooman76]

kind of 6 of one, half dz of another. It really up to you and what works best for you. Wouldn't hurt to move to 50y and you could always move back if it suits you.

 

[PowderMonkey]

kind of 6 of one, half dz of another. It really up to you and what works best for you. Wouldn't hurt to move to 50y and you could always move back if it suits you.

True.

 

[William O.]

I'd say you're on the right track for sure! Good luck for finding that perfect load combo for your rifle, it really feels good when you get there.

Thanks Bull. It made me feel good that all the details i worked on so far showed an improvement. Still more work to do but it's fun seeing the improvement.

By looking at my target would you say next step is to move out to 50 yards and see how they group or keep working at 25 yards and try to make the group tighter then move?

If you are satisfied with your groups then yes, move to 50 yards. 25 yards really doesn't give you a good idea of your load combo's accuracy, although it's a significant step in the right direction getting near one hole groups. Be sure not to adjust your sights yet, and keep things exactly the same.

 

[PowderMonkey]

I'd say you're on the right track for sure! Good luck for finding that perfect load combo for your rifle, it really feels good when you get there.

Thanks Bull. It made me feel good that all the details i worked on so far showed an improvement. Still more work to do but it's fun seeing the improvement.

By looking at my target would you say next step is to move out to 50 yards and see how they group or keep working at 25 yards and try to make the group tighter then move?

If you are satisfied with your groups then yes, move to 50 yards. 25 yards really doesn't give you a good idea of your load combo's accuracy, although it's a significant step in the right direction getting near one hole groups. Be sure not to adjust your sights yet, and keep things exactly the same.

After giving it a little thought i think i will stay at 25 yards and try to get it tighter before moving on. I need to cast some bullets and also will tinker with the lube mix a bit and see what results i get.