Range report need input.

[Swamp Rat]

Second trip for the first build 40 cal today. First trip was to test function of the rifle and get a feel for it. She stayed minute of box out to 74yds without having to adjust sights, so I was happy.
Todays trip was to try and tighten things up and test some experimental bullets. The first picture is all 395 ball pillow ticking lubed with 7-1 ballistal and water then dried cut square 1" patches at 60 steps, so it could be from 58-62yards. Forgot the rangefinder in the hunting bag. Anywho this is standing shooting off hand I had a couple delay fires and if I could say the two low left shots were them (which is my normal off hand flinch direction but I don't think they were) I would be ok it's ok. Would you guys be happy with this or should I keep experimenting with patch and lube and/or more practice?

This is with the three experimental bullets, I was aiming at the top of the target with them just seeing if they were going to stabilize or tumble out of the gun before moving forward with the idea.

 

[necchi]

More experimenting with the PBR combo, and figure out some way to bench it,, remove the human error while working up a load.
Could be the powder charge, could be the patch lube,, the only way to know is to experiment.

 

[Swamp Rat]

one of our two outdoor ranges is close have to get there before daylight to get a spot. All the benches were taken, but plan on it the next trip. Still getting the feel for it.

 

[jethro224]

60 yards offhand... yer doing pretty darn good with a 3 inch group. :thumbsup:

As was said, try to bench it and work up the perfect load. Then practice as much as you can 'cause shootin' is fun anyway. I bet it'll tighten up even more.

Good shootin'. :hatsoff:

 

[Kansas Jake]

If you can't bench the gun easily, then at least try to shoot while sitting with crossed sticks or something to reduce human error as has been pointed out. Good off hand shooting there.

 

[Swamp Rat]

I think I was a little disappointed and thinking the tighter patch would bring it tighter. But I forgot that last time I was only shooting 48 yds and roughly the same size group...so the tighter patch did tighten it up. the first time out with thin patch I tried 50 then 55 grains and notice it open up with the 55. I only shot 50grains this outing but think I need to bump it up to 55gains on the next trip. More testing is called for. I was not real worried about rest shooting yet as I'm just getting started. But the next trip I will be on a bench if I have to wait a while to get it...or I might make me some sticks just in case. as long as I plant my feet well I felt pretty steady and that double set trigger makes it easier on the touch off. I could see me getting up and down for every shot sitting my out of shape body would make me pay for that the next day. :shocked2: :redface:
Jethro that's a 4 inch group 3" would be nicer.

 

[Okie Hog]

By my standard that many bullets fired into a four inch group at 60 yards is excellent shooting. :grin:

 

[jethro224]

Jethro that's a 4 inch group 3" would be nicer.

Oh yeah, yer right, I looked at it wrong.
Well, in that case, it's terrible! :haha:

Seriously, still ain't too bad. Especially for a couple slow fires and only the 2nd time out.

It'll tighten up with a little more work.

 

[Kapow]

I spent the morning with my 0.40 flintlock SMR. Talk about frustrating! I looked at the patches and they were torn a little so I added an over powder patch. I had the holes clover leafed at 50m.

Before the celebrations got under way it started to spread them again. Infuriating! I then backed off on the powder from 50gn to 40gn FFFg and went with a much lighter patch. From 0.018 pillow ticking to 0.010 cotton but still with the over powder patch. Hallelujah! Back to cover leafs. Sometimes less really is more. Maybe give it a go?