Horrible Groups with 50. Cal T/C WMC

[MuzzleloaderElk]

New to muzzle loading and I'm trying to get my T/C White Mountain Carbine 50. cal dialed in for elk season and having horrible results. Can't seem to get any better than 12" groups (obviously unacceptable for hunting). Tried 80-100gr R/S Pyrodex with 350gr T/C Maxi-Hunters. This is bad because elk season is barely a month away.

 

[Curator]

Try putting a felt or card wad under the bullet (on top of powder charge) This often makes a big difference in accuracy with conical bullets in T/C shallow rifled barrels You might also start at 70 grains and work up with 5 grain increases until you get the accuracy you desire. Personally, I prefer the Lee R.E.A.L. 320 grain bullet over 65 grains of Pyrocrap RS in My T/C Hawken Hunter.

 

[J-Bar]

More info will help.

Is it a used rifle or did you find a new one?

TC made some with different rifling twists... do you know what kind of rifling you have?

What kind of condition is the barrel in - good, fair, pitted, etc?

Did you clean it before firing it? Are you cleaning the bore between shots?

Have you let someone else shoot it? (Is it you or the rifle?)

Does it appear to be bedded in the stock ok, or is the stock damaged?


You will get better quality advice if you provide more info.

 

[MuzzleloaderElk]

Would that be enough powder to drop an elk effectively? Should I be cleaning between shots?

 

[MuzzleloaderElk]

I bought it used, came with just the rifle, very clean with no pitting. Not sure what the twist is. No one else has shot it but me since I've had it

 

[MuzzleloaderElk]

I cleaned it thoroughly before shooting and have just been running a dry patch down the bore about every three shots

 

[J-Bar]

You want your first shot at an elk to be a clean barrel. So clean the barrel after each shot. Wet mop and wire brush until you don't get any more fouling out on the mop, dry patches until they come back dry and clean, then a swab with a lightly lubed patch, using non-petroleum lubricant. (Bore Butter is good, I also use PAM cooking spray.)

Yes it is a hassle. Welcome to muzzleloading.

Curator's suggestion of a wad between powder and projectile is a good one. I have used wadded up toilet paper about 1/4 " thick with success.

 

[MuzzleloaderElk]

Pull out the nipple and clean the breech as well I assume?

 

[J-Bar]

No need to pull and clean the nipple as long as you are getting consistent ignition. If you are getting delayed or hang-fires, then yes.

Groups deteriorate rapidly as fouling builds up. I bet you see immediate improvement if you get the crud out between shots. Don't be discouraged. You have a good gun made by a good company I think you will enjoy hunting with it.

Try it first at 50 yards. Go to longer ranges as you get it tuned in.

 

[J-Bar]

Here's a link to the owner's manual for a TC Hawken. The instructions should work for your rifle too:

https://www.tcarms.com/pdfs/uploads/manuals/Hawken_Manual.pdf

 

[MuzzleloaderElk]

Thanks J-Bar, I really appreciate it, and I am definitely looking forward to hunting muzzloader. I've been hunting with a longbow for the past 6 years and wanted to try something different.