Think I'm about there!

[GAHUNTER60]

Third range session today with the new Kibler Colonial. I switched over from FFFg Schuetzen to FFg Goex. Right off the bat, groups were tighter, albeit still low. So I did the old shoot and file, shoot and file, shoot and file -- until I ended up with this four shot group at 50 yards with 90 grains of 2F (hunting load).

So other than bumping the rear sight a tad back left, I think I'm pretty close to where I want to be.

Next week, I'll work on longer ranges (75-100 yards)

 

[sawyer04]

Looks like it is close enough to wing em.

 

[Hawken1980]

Looks good

 

[GAHUNTER60]

I'm also very happy with the performance of the lock and flint. I'm now up to 60 shots on the original flint that came with the rifle, not counting dry fires and a few flashes in the pan caused by carbon buildup and insufficient vent picking (my bad). On shot #51, I had my first failure to ignite the pan powder. I simply knapped the flint (which only took a few seconds), and she went right back to firing on every shot. I think this is a testament to the almost perfect spring tension and tuning Jim dies on the locks he produces.

I have no idea where the flints Jim and Katherine sell come from, but they are amber in color (not black like the English flints I bought from TOTW). French, maybe?

For knapping, I simply grabbed a long brass screw out of my tool box. The spiral threads act as almost perfect ledges to grip the edge of the flint and knock off a chip.

Usually by now I start to find the "flaws" in whatever new thingamajig it is I have bought. This rifle is definitely and exception. My admiration for Jim's workmanship grows with each range session!

 

[Osseon]

Usually by now I start to find the "flaws" in whatever new thingamajig it is I have bought. This rifle is definitely and exception. My admiration for Jim's workmanship grows with each range session!

You have me so excited for when I get mine much much later this year.

 

[deermanok]

You should kill a deer no problem.

 

[Terry Lightle]

Bet you are smiling really big

 

[Cattywompuss]

Great looking group! Only buck fever could make you miss!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Was the lower right one your first shot? That happens quite a bit with clean barrels. The 4:00 position is also common in flinters when you flinch, or a somewhat slower ignition for that one shot. The higher ones being tighter would indicate you had it dialed better together, (in your shooting technique) and with a dirty bore, which increases pressures.

One thing that's important in shooting is that you "call your shots". Where exactly were the sights aimed at the time of discharge (not just the trigger pull). Mark both places on your target. THAT is your ACTUAL group. When testing a gun's loads there are 2 things being tested; the gun / load, and, you and your shooting technique. If you mark your called shots that takes a lot of you out of the testing.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

The four-o'clock hole is from a shot with extra-long ignition delay caused by too much powder in the pan. The next three are the ones clustered around the center.

Next week will be more telling as I stretch her out to 75 and 100 yards.

 

[BJamesBeck]

What caliber is your kibler? Mine is .50 and I'm wondering if I should give 2f a try. I've been shooting 3f and and am not getting GREAT groups. Acceptable hunting groups, but I'd really like to tighten them up a bit. Here is a recent one I shot. It's 5 shots, there are 2 in the top hole. I am sure part of it is still due to the shooter, but I feel like I could still get the rifle to be better. These 5 were with a .495 ball, .018 patch, 70gr 3f with a 10-15mph cross wind at 50 yards from the bench.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I would like to know the order of shots. Your horizontal dispersion is likely due to the cross wind as the vertical dispersion is reasonable. If the two in the same hole were shot last, then the slight increase in pressure from fouling build up even when wiping between shots may bring the impact up.

2F may perform well. I have found little difference in performance between 2f and 3f powders. The 3f may be a bit cleaner, but there will always be fouling when using Black Powder.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

What caliber is your kibler? Mine is .50 and I'm wondering if I should give 2f a try. I've been shooting 3f and and am not getting GREAT groups. Acceptable hunting groups, but I'd really like to tighten them up a bit. Here is a recent one I shot. It's 5 shots, there are 2 in the top hole. I am sure part of it is still due to the shooter, but I feel like I could still get the rifle to be better. These 5 were with a .495 ball, .018 patch, 70gr 3f with a 10-15mph cross wind at 50 yards from the bench.
View attachment 74521

My groups tightened up quite a bit by switching to 2F, but, then again, mine is a .54 caliber, and conventional wisdom says that is what I'm supposed to be using.

 

[ord sgt]

As a matter of habit, I wipe the face of the frizzen with my thumb after priming the pan, just before lowering the frizzen to cover the pan. It wipes away the fouling from the previous flash of the pan.

 

[BJamesBeck]

My groups tightened up quite a bit by switching to 2F, but, then again, mine is a .54 caliber, and conventional wisdom says that is what I'm supposed to be using.

Hmm if I see some 2f I may grab it to try!

 

[BJamesBeck]

I would like to know the order of shots. Your horizontal dispersion is likely due to the cross wind as the vertical dispersion is reasonable. If the two in the same hole were shot last, then the slight increase in pressure from fouling build up even when wiping between shots may bring the impact up.

2F may perform well. I have found little difference in performance between 2f and 3f powders. The 3f may be a bit cleaner, but there will always be fouling when using Black Powder.

I don't remember the order 100% but I believe the lower 3 were the first 3 and the 2 up high were last.

Sorry I need to make my own thread for this and not hijack this one!