Range Report Toolslingers .54

[toolslinger]

So here is my first muzzleloader in about 20 years and my first rifle shots in about 4.
Rifle is a slightly customized Cabelas Hawken

Since I was just getting used to her and the new Lyman 57 I installed these are pretty close shots.
1st 3 rounds: 60 grains FFG, .10 moosemilk prelubed patch , Hornady .530 roundball, swabbed between each shot with Windex Vinegar

Oh yeah this was only 50 feet
I eventually moved to 25 yards
This is the last six rounds ( 5 hours later?)
Same powder charge ,storebought, prelubed, precut patches ,both .530 and .535 ball

 

[J-Bar]

Looks like you have a keeper!

It would be interesting to see how your group size might vary with a bit more powder. I have a hunch your groups would tighten a bit when you get up around 80 to 90 grains. 60 grains may not be enough to let your rifle show it's true capabilities.

 

[toolslinger]

Oh yeah I will definitely be testing different powder charges. This was basically to familiarize myself with the rifle and see what ball patch combos it seemed to like. I also wanted to begin breaking her in as I have heard that it sometimes takes several hundred rounds to wear all the burrs and machining marks off the rifling.
I also determined that the CCI #11 magnums that I have fit really tight and require seating with a stick to prevent misfires.
I also found that I looooooove my Lyman 57 peep sight(knew I would) I will definitely be getting some different apertures for it.