Finally got to range today to shoot my .54cal. Bucks County and get it ready for deer and hog season. It's ready and I'm ready for muzzleloader and archery season. My upper back got well enough to pull bow and am on ready with it too.
I decided on 90grs. of Goex 3f with pre-lubed Ox-Yoke felt Wonder Wad over powder and .530" Hornady round balls with .010" pre-lubed Ox-Yoke patch. I didn't see any need to go any higher than 90grs. 3f..it was grouping 2" at 50yds. and I just can't see the front sight or bulls eye good enough at 50yds. and farther to try to get better groups than that. I was shooting it off hand at 25yds. and hitting 1" dia. bulls eye..so I know it will shoot where I hold it.
They hit right where I held at 50yds off sand bags...got sight filed down where it's dead on from 75yds. in..with just a little manipulation on hold. 75yds. area I hold 6:00 method and on in drop front sight down into notch.
The bore in this Rice barrel must be a little snug because I tried some pillow ticking from Walmart that was about .017" or .018" and it was just too tight for my tastes (almost hammer tight) and didn't shoot any better than the .010" which goes down good and snug with just a little effort.
Tried 80grs. to 90grs. of both 2f and 3f and .535", .530" Hornady and my home cast roofers lead .530" which shoot just as good or better than the Hornady..mine are just a tad smaller than the Hornady..they go down easier anyway.
Deluxe Siler with 5/16" White Ligthn liner (5/64" vent) went off with no delay every shot..real fast lock time...was a little concerned about it's location..It's right where I wanted far as height..hair above top of pan..but I let it move just a tad more forward than I really wanted when I drilled the pilot hole, but I guess that's good. When you think of it the hammer is throwing sparks in a foward direction. Probably got about 30 or 40 shots with same flint..only one I used..Tom Fuller's from TOW.
Really do like this gun.
I decided on 90grs. of Goex 3f with pre-lubed Ox-Yoke felt Wonder Wad over powder and .530" Hornady round balls with .010" pre-lubed Ox-Yoke patch. I didn't see any need to go any higher than 90grs. 3f..it was grouping 2" at 50yds. and I just can't see the front sight or bulls eye good enough at 50yds. and farther to try to get better groups than that. I was shooting it off hand at 25yds. and hitting 1" dia. bulls eye..so I know it will shoot where I hold it.
They hit right where I held at 50yds off sand bags...got sight filed down where it's dead on from 75yds. in..with just a little manipulation on hold. 75yds. area I hold 6:00 method and on in drop front sight down into notch.
The bore in this Rice barrel must be a little snug because I tried some pillow ticking from Walmart that was about .017" or .018" and it was just too tight for my tastes (almost hammer tight) and didn't shoot any better than the .010" which goes down good and snug with just a little effort.
Tried 80grs. to 90grs. of both 2f and 3f and .535", .530" Hornady and my home cast roofers lead .530" which shoot just as good or better than the Hornady..mine are just a tad smaller than the Hornady..they go down easier anyway.
Deluxe Siler with 5/16" White Ligthn liner (5/64" vent) went off with no delay every shot..real fast lock time...was a little concerned about it's location..It's right where I wanted far as height..hair above top of pan..but I let it move just a tad more forward than I really wanted when I drilled the pilot hole, but I guess that's good. When you think of it the hammer is throwing sparks in a foward direction. Probably got about 30 or 40 shots with same flint..only one I used..Tom Fuller's from TOW.
Really do like this gun.
