- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Messages
- 183
- Reaction score
- 2
Good evening gentlmen (it’s 23:00 here in Poland ).
Last sunday I wanted finally sighting in my Investarms capslock Hawken and my two flintlock rifles – Pennsylvania and Frontier, both of Pedersoli. All three guns are .50 caliber.
I've shot them before several times just for fun, not for results, and I had a very long break with muzzleloading. But two months ago, I took part in a local tournament by accident and finished third in one of competitions (flintlock smoothbore pistol). I fired a borrowed weapon. And that was my inspiration.
So last sunday morning I tried zeroing all three rifles at 25 meters. I used all the time the same charge of 60 grains of black powder (Czech Vesuvit LC – if I’m not wrong it’s like FFg ). I took .490 and .495 round balls with me to try both diameters.
As I said all three guns are „cal. .50”, but… I loaded my Hawken with .495 round ball in cotton patch very easy, no problems even after few shots. To put that ball in both Pedersoli’s barrels I had to use a hammer. So I resigned and shot my both flintlocks with .490 balls. As a patch lube I used 50/50 mix of beeswax and tallow.
You can see the results. I’m very happy with the Investarms Hawken. Shooting that nice capslock rifle was the easiest part of the day. First choice of powder charge and ball diameter, than first four shots and I know what I need. But I’m definitely a flintlock guy.
The Pennsylvania is ok like for the first time, I just have to practise more. I bought that rifle 12 years ago from Dixiegun as a kit and finished my self so I have sentiment.
The Frontier is a real challenge for me. I’m in love with that gun because of it’s shape and balancing, but just can’t get how to use sights of that rifle! What ever I do I do it wrong. As you can see I got some grouping. So I filed the front sight and it still doesnt work. When I tried to aim higher (using that buckhorn sight like ghostring sight) I had problem to hit the target at all. I spent most of that day at the range traying to understand how to aim that rifle and I’m still at my starting point… I checked the barrel chamber and the rifling and I did not find any deforrmations or damages.
I shot the Pennsylvania – the same manufacturer, the same caliber, the same powder charge, the same ball diameter, the same patch - only the barrel is a little longer and because of that the front of the barrel is noticeably heavier. But results are much better. Maybe the good idea is just to replace sights on that Frontier.
Please forgive me if my tread is to long... I'm really confused so I would really appreciate your suggestions.
Last sunday I wanted finally sighting in my Investarms capslock Hawken and my two flintlock rifles – Pennsylvania and Frontier, both of Pedersoli. All three guns are .50 caliber.
I've shot them before several times just for fun, not for results, and I had a very long break with muzzleloading. But two months ago, I took part in a local tournament by accident and finished third in one of competitions (flintlock smoothbore pistol). I fired a borrowed weapon. And that was my inspiration.
So last sunday morning I tried zeroing all three rifles at 25 meters. I used all the time the same charge of 60 grains of black powder (Czech Vesuvit LC – if I’m not wrong it’s like FFg ). I took .490 and .495 round balls with me to try both diameters.
As I said all three guns are „cal. .50”, but… I loaded my Hawken with .495 round ball in cotton patch very easy, no problems even after few shots. To put that ball in both Pedersoli’s barrels I had to use a hammer. So I resigned and shot my both flintlocks with .490 balls. As a patch lube I used 50/50 mix of beeswax and tallow.
You can see the results. I’m very happy with the Investarms Hawken. Shooting that nice capslock rifle was the easiest part of the day. First choice of powder charge and ball diameter, than first four shots and I know what I need. But I’m definitely a flintlock guy.
The Pennsylvania is ok like for the first time, I just have to practise more. I bought that rifle 12 years ago from Dixiegun as a kit and finished my self so I have sentiment.
The Frontier is a real challenge for me. I’m in love with that gun because of it’s shape and balancing, but just can’t get how to use sights of that rifle! What ever I do I do it wrong. As you can see I got some grouping. So I filed the front sight and it still doesnt work. When I tried to aim higher (using that buckhorn sight like ghostring sight) I had problem to hit the target at all. I spent most of that day at the range traying to understand how to aim that rifle and I’m still at my starting point… I checked the barrel chamber and the rifling and I did not find any deforrmations or damages.
I shot the Pennsylvania – the same manufacturer, the same caliber, the same powder charge, the same ball diameter, the same patch - only the barrel is a little longer and because of that the front of the barrel is noticeably heavier. But results are much better. Maybe the good idea is just to replace sights on that Frontier.
Please forgive me if my tread is to long... I'm really confused so I would really appreciate your suggestions.