Sighting in new GM Barrel-Brady, Texas style

[dmills]

WARNING: IF THE TERMS "BORE SIZED BALLS" OR "PATCH KNIFE" OR "SHORT STARTER" OR "SWABBING BETWEEN SHOTS" MAKE YOU SQUEAMISH, DO NOT PROCEED. :rotf:

After the TMLRA shoot in Brady earlier this month, I was compelled to get a .45 cal. GM drop-in barrel for the Thompson Center with 1:60 twist and 32" length. I also added a Bomar rear sight, but left the same front sight supplied with the barrel.

Today was the first day I could get to the range with the new set-up. Seems those shooters down in Brady like BORE SIZED BALLS with thick patches. So, following John L. Hinnant's advice, I was shooting .451 Speer swaged roundballs. I was using .018 pillow ticking that I had pre-lubed in 1.5" strips that I cut at the barrel using my PATCH KNIFE. Shooting this combination requires use of a SHORT STARTER. I am also using a small rawhide mallet to get the ball started. I started and finished with 55 gr. Goes fffg. This was my first time to shoot real black powder,as all of my previous shooting had been with some leftover 777, fffg that I had. Caps were the CCI Magnum No. 11s.

Results were outstanding. I need a taller, thicker front site to compliment the Bomar rear site. With the rear sight cranked all the way down, my shots were still 4" high at 25 yards. But they were all grouped tightly and dead-center side to side. Out of a total of 15 shots, not one flyer. Also following Brady protocol, I was SWABBING BETWEEM SHOTS.

Only one problem popped up. The wedge pin was loose in the slot. With the stock barrel, I would need to tap the wedge pin to get it out. This one is not tight or even snug at all. I don't whether to be concerned about this or not.

Have a good day. Don.

 

[Swampman]

It will shoot just as well with .440 or smaller balls and an even thicker patch.

 

[roundball]

WARNING: IF THE TERMS "BORE SIZED BALLS" OR "PATCH KNIFE" OR "SHORT STARTER" OR "SWABBING BETWEEN SHOTS" MAKE YOU SQUEAMISH, DO NOT PROCEED. :rotf:

After the TMLRA shoot in Brady earlier this month, I was compelled to get a .45 cal. GM drop-in barrel for the Thompson Center with 1:60 twist and 32" length. I also added a Bomar rear sight, but left the same front sight supplied with the barrel.

Today was the first day I could get to the range with the new set-up. Seems those shooters down in Brady like BORE SIZED BALLS with thick patches. So, following John L. Hinnant's advice, I was shooting .451 Speer swaged roundballs. I was using .018 pillow ticking that I had pre-lubed in 1.5" strips that I cut at the barrel using my PATCH KNIFE. Shooting this combination requires use of a SHORT STARTER. I am also using a small rawhide mallet to get the ball started. I started and finished with 55 gr. Goes fffg. This was my first time to shoot real black powder,as all of my previous shooting had been with some leftover 777, fffg that I had. Caps were the CCI Magnum No. 11s.

Results were outstanding. I need a taller, thicker front site to compliment the Bomar rear site. With the rear sight cranked all the way down, my shots were still 4" high at 25 yards. But they were all grouped tightly and dead-center side to side. Out of a total of 15 shots, not one flyer. Also following Brady protocol, I was SWABBING BETWEEM SHOTS.

Only one problem popped up. The wedge pin was loose in the slot. With the stock barrel, I would need to tap the wedge pin to get it out. This one is not tight or even snug at all. I don't whether to be concerned about this or not.

Have a good day. Don.

Outstanding report and shooting.

FWIW, if you havn't already thought of this, on a couple that I've had loose wedge pins, I've laid the pins across the open jaws of a vice and using a hammer & punch, just barely tapped a slight curve into the wedge pin so it puts more downforce on the tenon when it slides through...a simple fix that is easily adjustable/correctable.

 

[faw3]

Johns way just seems to make a better shooter out of me every time he post something , I think hes makeing me use my head! I knew it was for something besides putting food away! :rotf: :rotf: they are that good arent they (at Brady) Fred :hatsoff:

 

[dmills]

Swampman, maybe so. At this point I am just following the apparent "consensus" of the Brady Bunch, many of whom have been at this for a long time and have a lot of trial and error experience. For my hunting load (for which I will continue to use the T/C .50 barrel) I will be using ball and patch combinations that I can load w/o a starter and with the hickory ramrod in the field.

That's another thing about this ball/patch combination, a stout range rod is a must. No hickory or aluminum tube ramrod is going to take the strain.

Also, I was shooting from the bench using sandbags under the front just to get this sighted in. I will need to complete that process with the new front sight and then start training offhand for the June Texas State competition.

 

[davy]

Swampman, maybe so. At this point I am just following the apparent "consensus" of the Brady Bunch, many of whom have been at this for a long time and have a lot of trial and error experience. For my hunting load (for which I will continue to use the T/C .50 barrel) I will be using ball and patch combinations that I can load w/o a starter and with the hickory ramrod in the field.

That's another thing about this ball/patch combination, a stout range rod is a must. No hickory or aluminum tube ramrod is going to take the strain.

Also, I was shooting from the bench using sandbags under the front just to get this sighted in. I will need to complete that process with the new front sight and then start training offhand for the June Texas State competition.

"John's Way " ... and the "Brady Bunch" ! I like it Dmills! :thumbsup:

And BTW I use the same methods to load and shoot, and shoot much better for it! I am beginnin to think ol John H. may know a thing or three about this bidness, whaddya think? Only took him 50 some odd years to figure it out! :shocked2: :rotf:

Davy

 

[dmills]

Roundball, I just finished cleaning and re-pinning the barrel. Your solution worked perfectly. Thanx.

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Show me some targets.

John L. Hinnant

 

[TennesseeJed]

WARNING: IF THE TERMS "BORE SIZED BALLS" OR "PATCH KNIFE" OR "SHORT STARTER" OR "SWABBING BETWEEN SHOTS" MAKE YOU SQUEAMISH, DO NOT PROCEED.

From the looks of things at the Alvin C. York Memorial Match today, you would have fit in perfectly.

 

[faw3]

Its "show me the targets" John. :rotf: :rotf: and the Brady Bunch thats great. FRED :hatsoff: