My T/C-1:48 won't shoot conicals....

[Don Steele]

No indication of tape residue in the barrel. I look around a little, not extensively, to see if I might find pieces of the teflon tape downrange. No luck.
That experiment was done to see what effect might be observed by increasing the Maxi Ball diameter. I don't want to use it on a regular basis. After I try the Hornady HP-HB Great Plains, if the quest continues...I may "Beagle" my MaxiBall mold, and/or try paper patching them.

 

[duck hollow pete]

Did you mic the TC max 370's are they pure lead a wood rod will give you a better feel they all seem to fall with a heavy rod.I don't wipe in a 5 shot group and they shoot nice and tight.the only reason I say to check the size I have seen them small they need to fit and be soft to upset'

 

[Don Steele]

Put a micrometer on the maxi's. Base is reading .500-.501. Top band .503-.504. These were cast by me, using a 1970's vintage T/C mold out of dead soft lead.
I have no idea what the design spec. is for these, and would appreciate someone else's measurements.

Today's Range report:
Testing Hornady Great Plains 385 gn. HP-HB bullets. For no particular reason, my chosen load for the conical tests has been 90 gns. of Goex powder. Today I started out by firing a few RB through the bbl. to sort of "settle it down".
(Those shot great btw.) .490 RB, 60 gns. Goex 3f, .022 patch dry-lubed with 6:1 water:Ballistol.A single pass wipe between shots. At 50 yds from a rest, very gusty windy day: 2 touching in one ragged hole, the third about one ball diameter away.
On to the Hornady's....
90 gns. Goex 3f...at the same 50 yds, etc:
All 5 shots stayed in the 3 in. black bull. Some "paired up" on top of each other within the Bull. So Far...It's not the "single big ragged hole" that is my ultimate goal but PLENTY good enough to call a group, and hunt pigs in the thick stuff where I go in S.E. Georgia.

When I have a chance to get a few more boxes of these Hornady's...I'll tweek the loading a bit more. I'll want to test slight changes in charge wt. I also want to try 2f Goex, and 2f Swiss that I have on hand...once again: "Just because".
I think this is mostly resolved. I want to thank all who read through this thread and offered their own experiences, suggestions and thoughts.
Ya'll are the best. :thumbsup:

 

[duck hollow pete]

Don have the same mould(45&50)same era,your reads are correct.Mine(45)liked 80grs 2f a little more than 90 or 100,but staying inside a 3 in black should'nt be a issue.I think my Dad shot the same.Keep us posted.Try with out wiping 5-10 shots see what happens!

 

[samk]

I have hunted with TC Hawkens and Renegades for 20+ years, never had one that had 1-48 twist, that did not shoot well, all would about cut cloverleafs at 50yds using Hornady Great plains, TC maxi hunters and a Lyman bullet called a Great Plains I cast myself. I also glass bedded most of mine as the wood can shrink with age. I had one .54 especially accurate, with a Burris 2.75 scout scope that would keep 5 shots touching at 100yds with the Hornady GP, 425 HP and 105 2ffgGoex, 47 dead deer cant be wrong! Like stated above, you might need to make sure barrel is not bulged.

 

[Don Steele]

Now that I finally have at least something to call a reliable group...I'll be searching in that range..80-90 also trying 2f, both Goex and Swiss for the very best she can do. I have kept after this goal of a good conical load for this bbl. precisely because of the great results so many others have achieved. I thought it would be pretty simple, but something is going on in my particular bbl that has made it more difficult.
We're getting there though. :wink:

 

[WALT53]

Have you changed your nipple yet.
WALT.

 

[Don Steele]

Just got the new nipple. That will be the next variable when I get back to the range.