re-dialing in Olde Half-Breed

[Rifleman1776]

At our club matches this past Saturday I was using my Olde Half-Breed rifle. It is a TC ”˜hawken’ with a .45 cal. Douglas XX barrel and fitted with Redfield Olympic sights.
I have been using this rifle for about 45 years. It was primarily my Buffalo (X-stick) match gun but I also used offhand. It weighs about eleven pounds. I have also shot in bench rest matches and it has won against genuine heavy bench rifles. I used to shoot .457” balls I cast with denim for patching. However, in recent years I went to .445” balls and ticking patching for easier (lazier) loading.
But, this Saturday my 100 yard targets looked like they were hit with shotgun buckshot instead of grouping in the 9 and 10X rings.
I know ”˜stuff’ happens in this game that is hard to explain. But, when (if) the weather warms up, I’m going to the range and start from scratch re-dialing in this old reliable rifle.
I have almost used up my supply of Goex powder so will do the redialing with Schuetzen since I have a large supply of that. This will be like the old days of shooting, testing, changing a bit, shooting again and again and again”¦..until those 100 yard Xs are crying for mercy.
But, I have my fears someone from TMF has told my rifle that Douglas barrels are no good and it may have just given up on me. :shocked2:

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[mooman76]

Allot of older guns after many years of use benefit from going up to a tighter ball/ patch combo. Just an educated guess but I'm thinking if you move up in ball size you will see your accuracy return. Maybe try a 451 ball or go back to your old .457.

 

[galamb]

Since "half-breed" might be construed as some kind of slur and reflect negatively on the muzzle loading community as a whole;

You should consider renaming the rifle in question.

Perhaps "Olde Multi-Culture" or perhaps "Olde Blend of Diverse Parentage" might be more palatable to the general populous :rotf:

 

[Richard Brinkman]

You went from .457 to .445 balls and really think that it is going to shoot the same? I bet you'll end up with a bigger ball, bigger is better, at least that's what everyone tells me.

RB

 

[ohio ramrod]

The Douglas barrel is definitely to blame. Send it to me and I will properly dispose of it for you! :hmm: :hmm:

 

[Rifleman1776]

You went from .457 to .445 balls and really think that it is going to shoot the same? I bet you'll end up with a bigger ball, bigger is better, at least that's what everyone tells me.

RB

I already did the ml version of a mea culpa when I confessed:

I went to .445” balls and ticking patching for easier (lazier) loading

 

[Patocazador]

As I get older, I find that I don't quite measure up like I used to. Maybe your "ethnically diverse" rifle feels the same way. :idunno:

 

[Richard Brinkman]

I was going to say something about 74 years young but decided not too, let somebody else bring that subject up.

I know that I don't shoot as well as I did 30 years ago. Something about the fuzzy sights and a lot less steady or something?

RB

 

[Semisane]

Since "half-breed" might be construed as some kind of slur and reflect negatively on the muzzle loading community as a whole;

You should consider renaming the rifle in question.

Perhaps "Olde Multi-Culture" or perhaps "Olde Blend of Diverse Parentage" might be more palatable to the general populous :rotf:

:rotf: Galamb, I believe Cher has a song about that rifle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6E98ZRaU1s&feature=kp

 

[Shine]

I removed a mans teeth once for saying that word. Its a little offensive like any other term that started as a racial slur.:cursing:

 

[azmntman]

I like the name....keep it. And keep the washington redskins the wahington redskins too. Racism today is a non issue as only the ignorant are guilty of it. IMHO which is very very valuable. :grin:

 

[Shine]

Its only a non issue if your an old white man.

 

[torn moc]

Boo- ya ! Ya got that RIGHT.

 

[Semisane]

This is coming from a guy who names himself "scalper"? :rotf:

 

[azmntman]

 

[George T.]

I have found that real tight ball patch combinations are not as much fun as they used to be. I have one 58 that I use a rubber mallet on and it saves the hand. It's not very traditional though!

Geo. T.

 

[Kapow]

You insult my people with that comment! And what, pray tell are we to call our powder???

 

[Shine]

Im sorry your going to have to say that in English. I don't get it. :idunno:

 

[nit wit]

Shine
Black powder,Did you get heartburn from your pemmican?
NW

 

[Shine]

ahhhh It was -25 here this morning I was slow on the up take.