Finally made it out to the range.
I had broken in my rifle and was ready to begin working on an accurate load. I broke my rifle in using the Pyrodex (P/RS) that I strongly disliked as the fouling was very sticky.
I've bought a bit of 3F Olde Eynsford as it's relatively inexpensive yet energetic. From what I've read Swiss and Olde E don't leave nearly as much fouling as the other BP's or Pyrodex, but I was having serious issues loading and wiping after 3 shots. I had to hammer home some of the PRB's and hammer the range rod out after it's initial swab.
I was moving in increments of 10 grns as I figured I could more quickly weed out what wasn't good and move back to where the groups were best to try by 5 grns. But I was getting very random groups, and I'm wondering how much had to do with a dirty bore and even the hammered RB's.
60 grns, which is where I began, was obviously not the ticket, but I was back and forth on the 70 and 80 grn charges.
I'm wondering about using Olde E and wiping every shot or trying T7 instead.
I also REALLY need to go get glasses.
I also found that my new Pietta '58 Remington can't quite hold 40 grns and a ball. Maybe opening the chambers to .450" or so will enable that last grain or two…
After shooting 4 cylinders from the Remington I really gained an appreciation for my Ruger! No binding and wiping needed.
It seems I ought to chamfer the chambers too as the ram was dinging the chamber mouths.
I also found that the speed loader tubes I bought from Winchester Sutler has something like static that makes some powder stick to the walls. Hard to be consistent like that…
Despite all of the problems it was a great day, and I love making smoke and thunder!
I had broken in my rifle and was ready to begin working on an accurate load. I broke my rifle in using the Pyrodex (P/RS) that I strongly disliked as the fouling was very sticky.
I've bought a bit of 3F Olde Eynsford as it's relatively inexpensive yet energetic. From what I've read Swiss and Olde E don't leave nearly as much fouling as the other BP's or Pyrodex, but I was having serious issues loading and wiping after 3 shots. I had to hammer home some of the PRB's and hammer the range rod out after it's initial swab.
I was moving in increments of 10 grns as I figured I could more quickly weed out what wasn't good and move back to where the groups were best to try by 5 grns. But I was getting very random groups, and I'm wondering how much had to do with a dirty bore and even the hammered RB's.
60 grns, which is where I began, was obviously not the ticket, but I was back and forth on the 70 and 80 grn charges.
I'm wondering about using Olde E and wiping every shot or trying T7 instead.
I also REALLY need to go get glasses.
I also found that my new Pietta '58 Remington can't quite hold 40 grns and a ball. Maybe opening the chambers to .450" or so will enable that last grain or two…
After shooting 4 cylinders from the Remington I really gained an appreciation for my Ruger! No binding and wiping needed.
It seems I ought to chamfer the chambers too as the ram was dinging the chamber mouths.
I also found that the speed loader tubes I bought from Winchester Sutler has something like static that makes some powder stick to the walls. Hard to be consistent like that…
Despite all of the problems it was a great day, and I love making smoke and thunder!