Shooting the New Trade Gun

Well the gun does shoot, which was a big relief! Even better is that I like shooting it. I had waited to the last minute to order patches, cards, and wads from TOW, so there sitting at home in Louisiana! So I cut squares from some .020 strips and used my homemade lube on them. I only shot 12 balls. I started late and it was hotter than expected. The gun performed great. No flash in the pans and fast ignition except 2 slight hang fires. Both of those were from using too much prime I believe, they were just enough to cause 2 pulled shots. Trigger is light and crisp. I shot from the bench, but the gun begs to be shot off hand, it feels good at the shoulder. I used 2F Goex main charge and 4F Goex prime. First 4 shots are with 70 grs at 25 yards. It’s shooting low, 2 of the holes touching and the first hang fire pulled right.

The next 5 shots I used 80 grs and aimed a little higher. Still at 25 yrds.

Then I tried at 50 yards, still with 80 grs. The 2nd hang fire was on the next to the last shot and pulled right. I was just sweating too much to keep shooting. So I definitely have to do some filing on the front sight and start some serious load development and get used to the gun too. But for the first outing I’m pleased. My makeshift patches looked ok too.

Groups like your first experience merely add to the beauty of your trade gun.

Nicely done! I'm interested to see how it does at 50 once you get everything worked out.

Don't be scared to bend the barrel.

Grenadier1758 said:

Groups like your first experience merely add to the beauty of your trade gun.

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Thank you.

Comfortably_Numb said:

Don't be scared to bend the barrel.

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But I am scared to, seriously. It might come to that, but first I’ll experiment with my sight picture and do some off hand shooting. Probably file down the sight some too, but yes, could be a bent barrel.

Hood2 said:

Nicely done! I'm interested to see how it does at 50 once you get everything worked out.

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Me too!

TDM said:

Thank you.

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Looking good there TDM nice pictures too.

WALT53 said:

Looking good there TDM nice pictures too.

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Thanks Walt.

TDM said:

The next 5 shots I used 80 grs and aimed a little higher. Still at 25 yrds.

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Looks great ! File that front blade down !

Now we are talking!

Developing an accurate load is the best part. Looks like you have your windage handled, so you are halfway there!

Fisherking said:

Now we are talking!

Developing an accurate load is the best part. Looks like you have your windage handled, so you are halfway there!

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Hope so!

Awesome , seems like an easy fix in filing

Will you be trying shot pattern also?

Steel Hayes said:

Will you be trying shot pattern also?

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Yes, waiting to get my cards & wads.

It sure looks like it wants to shoot. You did a fine job on that!

BTW.. I would like to see how it groups with 45 grains of corn meal on top of the 80 gr charge.

That is a venison getter.

Ballshooter said:

It sure looks like it wants to shoot. You did a fine job on that!

BTW.. I would like to see how it groups with 45 grains of corn meal on top of the 80 gr charge.

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Thanks. I'll add that to the list. Lots of experimenting to do.