new rifle questions

[rinella]

Hey guys,

I built myself a .50 cal CVA Frontier Carbine about 13 years ago, but I have been out of shooting any guns for about the last eight years.

I have finally decided to get back into it, and I think muzzleloading is where it's at! I found a local club that has monthly competitions. I stopped by there to talk to some of the guys and see what they are shooting. In addition to a bunch of reading on this site, I decided to order a Lyman GPR cap lock. I plan on shooting patched round ball, off-hand, at targets ranging between 25 and 100 yards. I'm not into hunting at all, only target shooting.

Years ago, when I was shooting, I was a teenager in Boy Scouts, and my scoutmaster did a lot of the work in helping to get my gun setup and, well, I just don't remember everything we did.

So, my question is, now that I have this new gun, what is the procedure in getting it set-up and getting my groups on the paper?

Thank you.

 

[Le Grand]

Rinella, This group can certainly give you some good answers about getting started. Also, there is a story in the current Muzzleloader magazine called "Gearing Up & Sighting In" that might give you a lot of help too. Click on www.muzzleloadermag.com for their website. And, keep us posted on your progress. Round ball, of course, is the way to do it!

 

[Bountyhunter]

You dont post in your profile where you are from. If you did, there are probably some guys on the forum here that live close by that would get with you and "show you the way".

 

[silverfox]

First thing to do is clean the barrel with brake cleaner from you local auto parts store. You need to get all the grease out of the barrel. This is a must with new GPR's. It will be shooting very low first time out. After you get a group you will have to file the front site down to get your group to hit POA or center of target. Loads will have to be worked out. Start at 50 gr and work up 5 gr at a time until you get a good group. I will guess around 55 gr for target and 80 to 95 for hunting. Start with a .490 ball and about .15 patch material. Lube I use Stumpys moose juice. Never use oil for lube. Keep her clean and she'll do you proud.
Fox :thumbsup:

Stumpys lube can be found with a search here

 

[rinella]

Thank you for the replies.

I updated my profile so it has my location.

Also, I walked over to Borders on my lunch break to look for the current Muzzleloader mag, but they didn't have it.

After I get all of the grease out, and am ready to shoot, should I set a target at 50 yards, or 100 yards? I just found targetz.com and have a bunch printed off ready to go.

I haven't ever had to file a sight before. Do I literally just use a hand file and remove metal from the top of the front sight? What all is involved in the process?

I'll look into the stumpys. I actually used to use simple green soaked patches! Our theory was that it would help remove the fouling on every shot.

 

[Zonie]

rinella
Before you start filing the front sight, the first thing to do is to find a powder/ball/patch load your gun really likes.

Most folks start at 25 yards because it's easy to pick out the exact location on the target to aim at with each shot. Also at that range even though your rifle will be shooting very low it should still be on the paper.

What your looking for it a load that will produce small groups. Large groups at 25 yards usually indicate that the patching material is too thin or it is tearing or burning thru.
After finding a patch/lube that isn't damaged by shooting it then try adjusting the amount of powder you load firing 3-5 shots with each load.
When you find one that's working stick to it for awhile.

Yes, the GPR will be shooting low and raising the adjustable sight will not cure it.
This is corrected by actually using a small flat file to remove material from the top of the front sight. Do this by using the File a little, Shoot a little" method.

Have fun.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I would suggest you begin by buying Dutch Schoultz Black Powder Rifle Accuracy System for $15.00. It will help you understand the process, and teach you how to " read " your spent patches to produce an accurate load for your gun.
http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

It will be the best $15.00 you spend on this sport.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Not into hunting?

GIT A ROPE!






:blah:

 

[mykeal]

Strongly agree with buying the Schoultz paper.

Also agree with DO NOT file the sights until you get a load that the gun likes. How do you tell if the gun likes it? Smallest group of 3-5 shots.

Schoultz's paper will tell you how to do that.

 

[rinella]

Thank you everyone. I just put a check in the mail to Schoultz.

I joined the gun club last night and my new rifle will be here on Tuesday. I think I'm going to go play with my old rifle this weekend!

 

[silverfox]

Short hint, put tape on the barrel around your site before you file on it. Masking or electical will both do fine. Thie is to keep the file off the barrel when you slip.
Do start at 25yds to sight in. Then to 50yds and after that anywhere you need to go.
Fox :hatsoff:

 

[wwpete52]

Thank you for the replies.

I updated my profile so it has my location.

Also, I walked over to Borders on my lunch break to look for the current Muzzleloader mag, but they didn't have it.

After I get all of the grease out, and am ready to shoot, should I set a target at 50 yards, or 100 yards? I just found targetz.com and have a bunch printed off ready to go.

I haven't ever had to file a sight before. Do I literally just use a hand file and remove metal from the top of the front sight? What all is involved in the process?

I'll look into the stumpys. I actually used to use simple green soaked patches! Our theory was that it would help remove the fouling on every shot.

You might think about joining the NMLRA. With the membership you will received a subcription to the magazine "Muzzle Blasts." Here's a link to their website: https://www.nmlra.org/index.asp

 

[bwhoffman]

Hey guys,

I built myself a .50 cal CVA Frontier Carbine about 13 years ago, but I have been out of shooting any guns for about the last eight years.

I have finally decided to get back into it, and I think muzzleloading is where it's at! I found a local club that has monthly competitions. I stopped by there to talk to some of the guys and see what they are shooting. In addition to a bunch of reading on this site, I decided to order a Lyman GPR cap lock. I plan on shooting patched round ball, off-hand, at targets ranging between 25 and 100 yards. I'm not into hunting at all, only target shooting.

Years ago, when I was shooting, I was a teenager in Boy Scouts, and my scoutmaster did a lot of the work in helping to get my gun setup and, well, I just don't remember everything we did.

So, my question is, now that I have this new gun, what is the procedure in getting it set-up and getting my groups on the paper?

Thank you.

Portland ehh!
I be in newberg, work tualatin and shoot with a bunch of good ol boys out towards forest Grove.
If you want to join us, look me up! Have helped start out more than a handful with the bug for smoke!

We do have a monthly shoot this saturday (tomorrow) out hiway 6 at a new site (we are moving camp) and just finished a new 1st time rondy in sherwood.

Feel free to PT me for more info if you like. I know we can collectively fast track you in a fairly quick amount of time!

by the way....WELCOME!

Brett