Starting load for a 50 cal. Johnathan Browning mountain rifle, shooting .490 patches balls.

[Keeffer]

Looking for recommendations, for a staring load of Pyrodex, in a 50 cal J.B. Mountain rifle, with patched balls.

 

[Tasbay]

It`s a good quality rifle. You can start at 50 grains but I would just go straight to 80-90 grains, all my 50cal`s like a powder charge around there.

 

[tjiann]

Agree. I use around 80gr FFG in mine.

 

[user 49399]

All of my .50 caliber rifles shoot accurately out to 25 yards with 50 grains of 2f or 3f, but of course most rifles will. I get my best accuracy at 50 yards with 60 grains or better depending on the rifle.

 

[Keeffer]

It`s a good quality rifle. You can start at 50 grains but I would just go straight to 80-90 grains, all my 50cal`s like a powder charge around there.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Keeffer]

All of my .50 caliber rifles shoot accurately out to 25 yards with 50 grains of 2f or 3f, but of course most rifles will. I get my best accuracy at 50 yards with 60 grains or better depending on the rifle.

I’m shooting 100 yds. I’m just making sure of my loads. Thank you.

 

[user 49399]

You should be able to find a suitable load between 60 and 90 grains.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Here is a copy of the page from the original manual that lists loads. If you would like the complete manual, let me know and I'll scan it for you.

Dale

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

I own a .54, but never load it with more than 70 grains volumetric measure. This load is more than adequate for my purposes, though I gather that I can go higher if I feel the need to punish myself for some reason.

 

[Keeffer]

Here is a copy of the page from the original manual that lists loads. If you would like the complete manual, let me know and I'll scan it for you.

Dale

Thank you! I would love to have the whole manual. I lost mine years ago.

 

[NorthFork]

@Keeffer

Target or hunting?

 

[Keeffer]

@Keeffer

Target or hunting?

 

[Keeffer]

Target.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Thank you! I would love to have the whole manual. I lost mine years ago.

I'll see if I can get it done tomorrow sometime.

 

[tjiann]

Thank you! I would love to have the whole manual. I lost mine years ago.

Any chance you could post it for those of us that don't have it? Would be hugely appreciated.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Any chance you could post it for those of us that don't have it? Would be hugely appreciated.

I will scan the manual tomorrow, make a PDF and post it here. Technically, it is a copyright violation, but I seriously doubt Browning will worry about someone freely distributing one of their manuals they no longer publish on a gun they no longer make... especially when it involves safety issues on a product they made and are still liable for.

 

[Mark E. Prickett]

I'm in.

 

[gpsd55]

Do any of you know a great way to clean the recess in the breach? I just guessing it is somewhat rounded. My cleaning rod had what looks to be a heavy flat screwdriver attachment and i was thinking of rounding the corners a bit do it wound scrape dome of the crud out.
I had the feeling my patching may be a bit thin since i could find no remains. I will go to wallMart and measure some cotton fabrics. I started to get flyers when i went to the 80/85 grain loads. The 75s are a pleasure to shoot with an easy recoil. And are perhaps just fine for deer, with no need to go further up the ladder. I will also try a .490 ball on for size with the same loading.

 

[Buckskinquin]

Do any of you know a great way to clean the recess in the breach? I just guessing it is somewhat rounded. My cleaning rod had what looks to be a heavy flat screwdriver attachment and i was thinking of rounding the corners a bit do it wound scrape dome of the crud out.
I had the feeling my patching may be a bit thin since i could find no remains. I will go to wallMart and measure some cotton fabrics. I started to get flyers when i went to the 80/85 grain loads. The 75s are a pleasure to shoot with an easy recoil. And are perhaps just fine for deer, with no need to go further up the ladder. I will also try a .490 ball on for size with the same loading.

Get a brass or copper cleaning brush with the thread on your range rod, the same or smaller caliber of the gun you’re cleaning. Wrap a cleaning patch to it and moisten with your cleaning solution. Once at the breech, turn it with decent pressure and the brush will conform to the breech. The screwdriver thing you mentioned is the breech scraper. If you have a patent breech, it only scapes the front of it and will not clean the recess. I use a 22 or 30 caliber brush on my barrels to assure the patent breech is clean.

 

[tjiann]

Get a brass or copper cleaning brush with the thread on your range rod, the same or smaller caliber of the gun you’re cleaning. Wrap a cleaning patch to it and moisten with your cleaning solution. Once at the breech, turn it with decent pressure and the brush will conform to the breech. The screwdriver thing you mentioned is the breech scraper. If you have a patent breech, it only scapes the front of it and will not clean the recess. I use a 22 or 30 caliber brush on my barrels to assure the patent breech is clean.

Agree. Here is a picture of the Browning Mountain Rifle breech area.