Pietta 1858 Range Report (w/ pics)

[garandman]

I've been getting 5-6" groups at 25 yards w/ 0.451 ball so I decided to try some of the Hornady 0.454 ball. Worked pretty well....

That's a 3.75" 5 shot group, and a 1.875" 4-shot group, shott offhand. (The shot low, dead center I think was me, since the gun has always grouped "left") I'm fairly pleased...

Here's a pic of my setup...made the stand meself...

I've started using pre-measured charges, kept in plastic vials, in an ammo box to speed laoding out on the range (Note the funnel) I think I'll get either a powder measure for BP, or maybe some of those Lee Reloading scoops, to speed up the pre-measured charges.

And here's a "family portrait"...

 

[necchi]

Nice group,,
When it comes to handy measures, if your at the range you can pick up spent cases.
Wrap a section of coat hanger around the head and you have a handy "dipper" with the right amount of powder, the 38 family works nice for the 44 revolvers.
(cases can be cut)
Here's an idea of weights that Zonie put togther, http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/247958/

 

[garandman]

Wasn't able to reporduce the 1.875" groupo today, but am quite sure the gun is easily sub - 4" capable. I think 3" is reasonable, if I do my part.

My biggest concern with the gun now is getting my groups centered lef-right on the target. (North-South is easy to fix with a different hold)

 

[garandman]

It seems to move the groups right, I need to file a little material off the right hand side of the front sight.

Then re-centering the front sights in the rear notch will require moving the muzzle right. I wanna open up the rear notch as well.

Then I'll tweak the front sight to get the North - South right.

Guess I need to do some rest shooting off the bench...

 

[nilo52]

I am envious of all your toys !

Remingtons Rule :bow:

nilo

 

[garandman]

8" and 12" were given to me. Father-in-law.

 

[necchi]

I need to file a little material off the right hand side of the front sight.

Now I ain't a good revolver shooter myownself, matter of fact I'm just begining, but my thinkin is that it's the way a feller holds what moves the group around.
Know what I mean?
If you file the front sight, then it's going to be smaller. A smaller sight is going to be harder to see.
If you learn where you and the gun shoots consistanly, wouldn't it be just as easy to "hold" to a little different place when aquiring the target?

You got a good group, it's just a matter of moving the group. If ya study that revolver shooting technique stuff, 90% of it is all about learning proper hold for what yer holdin,, :idunno:

Point is, I'd hate ta see ya mess up a sight by filing.
It's easy to file, but a dickens too "un-file" something

 

[Dave Colborn]

I watched a youtube video of a guy opening the rear sight up on the right side, to move the strike of the round right. Uberti .36 navy I think. My opinion is if it can be made to shoot center, it's nice when working on a 6, center or 12 oclock hold, not to have to worry about windage as well.

 

[necchi]

Can you bend the sight instead of filing?

There was a thread not too long ago about changing that front post with a blade.
The guy used a key blank, but sheet brass stock would work.

 

[garandman]

The rear notch does need to be opened up on my gun. Btween the narrow notch, and the wide front sight, its actually difficult to sight well. REALLY gotta focus hard.

I'm also considering rotating the barrel slightly - I emailed Pietta to see what they recommend as a fix.

And yes - I'm of the opinion a gun should make holes exactly where I have the thing pointed.

 

[Dave Colborn]

I think checking with the manufacturer is a good idea. Any one of the three things you are thinking of doing should fix the problem. I agree with Necchi about not ruining the front sight. I'd extend that to the rear sight. May be worth having someone do it since it shoots well.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

nice collection you have there garandman.
a .357 mag caseful of 3X is a good load on warm side for my '58's.as several have posted here hot loads tend to open groups up.