Ready to blow some smoke. The wood on my .54 GPR is finished, most of the metal is finished, kit is assembled. I have not finshed the barrel nor have I installed the sights. I'm planning on putting them on and sighting in this weekend. My plan is to sight in, solder sights in, and then finish the barrel and sights. Never shot a flint lock, so I need someone to catch me if I'm missing something or going in a wrong direction. From reading several posts a while back, the plan is to launch .530 RB's w/ .018 prelubed patches and 90 FFFg. I've already drilled out the touch hole to 5/64, and I'm finishing a pan primer tonight (pics to come). Any thoughts, advice, or reproof?
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sighting in / finishing advice
- Thread starter evanschd
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I don't think I would solder the sights in place,you may want to ajust them in the future
90 grains is a pretty stiff load to start out with. I would start at 60 grains and see how that shoots, then work up 5 grains at a time, checking your groups. And don't solder the sights...as Rusty said, you may want to move them in the future.
I sure wish folks wouldn't start off shooting their muzzleloaders with Maximum loads.
I guess it's none of my business but heavy powder loads, IMO, are not fun to shoot and they are seldom as accurate as more sensible, smaller powder loads.
I guess it's none of my business but heavy powder loads, IMO, are not fun to shoot and they are seldom as accurate as more sensible, smaller powder loads.
paulvallandigham
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Ditto. :thumbsup: I wish men would use their testosterone to grow hair, or make their Significant other happier every morning. It has no place around guns. :hmm:
I also would start with a lighter charge I use fff and started with 60 gr in my 54 gpr found that it is most accurate with 70 gr. also do not make sights permanent at this time . shoot it for a while after about 100 shots you know all sharp edges are gone.
Guys, thanks for the advice... As I said before, this is new ground for me and this is why this forum is so beneficial for greenhorns. Without prior knowledge all I can do is take and heed advice, and you guys sound consistant. I'll start w/ a lighter load and just keep my sights tight so they don't slide. :hatsoff: I'm absolutely amped about shooting this thing, building it myself has definitely made it more exciting.
MikeChapin
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GA stringnsmoke said:
Myself I would wait until the rifle is finished before shooting it. I also wouldn't bother sighting it in too close for a 100 rounds or so. I would find the best load that shoots one ragged hole at 50 yard and only adjust the sights enough to get it on the paper to check for group size.
Once the barrel is broken in a little then adjust the sights to hit where you want to.
BTW: The preservative that is used in the barrel will have to be cleaned out before you shoot. It will leave a gunky residue if it is left in. Many people find that break cleaner will cut it out better than most anything.
Little Wattsy
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GA stringnsmoke said:
Ill echo what most are saying here .... Remember that THE Goal is accuracy and EVERY gun has a slightly differant personality. I would start at 70 grains and work up toward 100 grains in 5 grain increments looking for the best 5 shot group at 25 yards. (This is for a hunting load...I would start at 55 grains if paper punching was the goal) When you find that "best load" you will have had a day well spent. THEN you can sight in etc... My GPR is wicked accurate with 90 grains of Pyro RS and a .530 ball and a .018 patch.
DO clean out the barrel with break cleaner!
HAVE GOOD SAFE FUN!!! :thumbsup:
ricklandes
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You may want to review/order Dutch's info here at http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/.
I think it is very insightful and will help you learn your new tasks quickly and safely.
I think it is very insightful and will help you learn your new tasks quickly and safely.
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As stated all rifles are different. My .54 has shoots best with 60gr of 3f. I tryed the 90 Gr and found unburned powder on newspaper in front of rifle. Start low and work up. I started high and worked down :cursing: not smart. I have killed several deer the last 5 years with this rifle with this load. Have fun
GA stringnsmoke said:
Just as some additional references:
T/C's published load data for .54cal PRBs is 60 to 120grns Goex 2F...so I settled into the habit of using the 60grns 2F (50grns 3F) entry level powder charge for 25/50 yard plinking and targets.
For deer hunting I settled on 3/4 max powder charge of 100grns 2F (90grns 3F).
For a slightly different view point on seeking out "the most accurate load"...the references to the most accurate VS. a more powerful load implies that the more powerful load is inaccurate and shouldn't be used. But reality for me...for hunting...is that any differences in accuracy are of no consequence and I'd much rather have the extra velocity, flatter trajectory, and increased energy at distance, than worry about any minor difference in group size between a 1.25" group and a 2.0" group at 100yds...speed and power for hunting trumps those minor differences every time.
For example, even just using T/C's short 28" shallow groove 1:48" barrel, my deer hunting load of 90grns Goex 3F, Oxyoke wad, T/C .018" pillow ticking, and Hornady .530" ball, gives me 1+1/4" ragged holes at 50yds, and the 100yd groups are in the range of 1+7/8" to 2+3/4".
So for me personally, I'd much rather have a 2.5" group size average with powerful hunting loads at 100yds than sacrifice trajectory and energy using small powder charges just to make the group size maybe 1/4" smaller...that's of no value to me when I want to hit a deer with a hammer at 100yds.
Other's mileage may vary of course...
thanks guys, started w/ 50g @ 30 yds. this weekend just to get sights on target and finished pretty satisfied w/ 70g @ 75 yds. Had a "BLAST"..pun intended... I am absolutely hooked on flint locks! can't wait to put it on a hog in a few weeks.
