[Derek]

Being poor and indigent but in love with the Pedersoli Martin Mang I made one. It's a lot cruder than Pedersoli's, whittling out a pretty breech from a lump of mild steel ain't easy,but it hooks into the stock/tang solidly. Here's my problem. This piece, [ It has an original lock marked"Nixon", so I call it my Maxon] is a .40 caliber[a good Rayle barrel] , shoots a .395 ball with a .010" patch, spit lube, I started with 18gr FFFG but have improved things by dropping to 10gr. Still, my best groups are 2 1/2"--3", from a rest, at 25yds. I feel I should be cutting clover-leaves, 1-1 1/2", the top shooters at Friendship did, OFFHAND! My spread seems to be mostly vertical so Iwill put in a new Ampco nipple, perhaps stablizing pressures will reduce the fliers in elevation. What are your thoughts, guys, please help.

[Manyirons]

What size Treso? If i have one extra i'll send it to help a poor guy! Try changing out your patch/ball combinations, mine shoots best (Yep can afford them, i know, wealthy Bast**d!) TIGHT loaded and CONSISTANT seating!

[Derek]

Thanks for the info Thom, I will try a few groups with the present load and the new nipple, then try tighter patch/ball fit. Changing too many parameters at once confuses my tiny brain. I'll shoot a couple of "control" groups with my Ruger MkII. That sucker drives tacks!

[RON in PA]

Try a tighter patch and try a heavier powder charge. You said that 10 grains shoots better than 18, but 18 strikes me as being wimpy. I'd start at 30 and work down.

[Manyirons]

And OFF THE BENCH if you please! Eliminate as many variables as ya can. Smith showed me beyond all doubt, aint NOBODY, not even Mr. Big Kraut Ironwrists can outshoot every Day that Ransom Rest.