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Since I got the percussion GPR 54 I've been sorting out its abilities with light loads for snowshoe hares (as discussed in a previous thread). The results have been in for a week or so now, and it's rolling bunny heads with enthusiasm so I thought it was time to report back.
I worked down to 30 grains of FFF with no problems. From 60 grains all the way down to 30 it will land 3-shot groups into or under an inch at 30 yards, roughly the field limit of my sighting and shooting skills for hares. The rifle is so easy to hold and shoot that I can come close to that kind of accuracy most of the time on my hind legs, too.
As I continued to decrease the charge the point of impact started dropping dramatically. Rather than go to hacking on the front sight and curdle things for later use with heavy loads, I mounted the optional adustable rear sight (included in the box with the rifle). At 40 grains I had the adjustment screw backed all the way out, except the last turn, to get point of impact where I wanted it. With 30 grain loads, the screw is too short to allow raising point of impact. As it is, I'll probably have to add LocTite or something to keep from losing it with 40 grian loads.
I've settled on the 40 grain load for hunting for the time being, though the gun certainly shoots well with less. The ball really splatters bunny heads at that speed, but it probably would with a lot lighter loads, too. For an indication of how much gee whiz 40 grains has, on one shot the ball went through the head and hit an alder trunk about 3" in diameter roughly ten feet behind the hare. Passed right through that, too. I followed a spray of wood splinters and found the ball not too far beyond laying on the snow. Pretty chewed up, but half intact.
I'm debating whether to install a longer sight adjustment screw for the time being so I can slow things down a little further, but until I get around to it the 40 grain FFF load is a serious hare gitter.
I worked down to 30 grains of FFF with no problems. From 60 grains all the way down to 30 it will land 3-shot groups into or under an inch at 30 yards, roughly the field limit of my sighting and shooting skills for hares. The rifle is so easy to hold and shoot that I can come close to that kind of accuracy most of the time on my hind legs, too.
As I continued to decrease the charge the point of impact started dropping dramatically. Rather than go to hacking on the front sight and curdle things for later use with heavy loads, I mounted the optional adustable rear sight (included in the box with the rifle). At 40 grains I had the adjustment screw backed all the way out, except the last turn, to get point of impact where I wanted it. With 30 grain loads, the screw is too short to allow raising point of impact. As it is, I'll probably have to add LocTite or something to keep from losing it with 40 grian loads.
I've settled on the 40 grain load for hunting for the time being, though the gun certainly shoots well with less. The ball really splatters bunny heads at that speed, but it probably would with a lot lighter loads, too. For an indication of how much gee whiz 40 grains has, on one shot the ball went through the head and hit an alder trunk about 3" in diameter roughly ten feet behind the hare. Passed right through that, too. I followed a spray of wood splinters and found the ball not too far beyond laying on the snow. Pretty chewed up, but half intact.
I'm debating whether to install a longer sight adjustment screw for the time being so I can slow things down a little further, but until I get around to it the 40 grain FFF load is a serious hare gitter.
