As I mentioned yesterday in the What MLing stuff are you doing thread, Yesterday's first time shooting the new Lyman Trade Rifle did not go so well. After the first two shots I was chasing holes. The trigger was horrendous. What was even more horrendous was the condition of the lock after I pulled it. Some weird kid of shavings/grit and any part that interacted with another was very gritty feeling. In spite of cleaning and oiling things. Very rough casting. And the major burr on the tumbler that the sear had to fight to get over sure wasn't helping things.
But it's a $500 rifle, so I expected to put a little time into it. And I got to learn about a different kind of lock than what I am used to.
So after a major fluff and buff, the trigger pull was much more comfortable. I didn't gauge it, but at least it would be on the scale now.
I did hit the front sight this morning with a white paint stick until I get a silver blade ordered. The sight picture was improved, but not as nice as I like.
First two shots today at yesterday's 6"rnd target.
Oops, forgot to say 3F. And the powder was Grafs.
Tap, tap, tap
Notice how the elevation also came up for whatever reason? More on that later...
Fresh target after an alcohol swab. Excuse my field notes, but it's easy for me to remember what I was doing if I can read it later
Shots four and especially five were getting noticeably harder to load so I dropped down to a prelubed .010 patch
Then out of the blue
So I cleaned it the best I could with what I had, small alcohol swabs, tow and a .45 brass brush.
Note to self: Find a small spray bottle I can put some moose milk in for my range box.
So, what did I learn?
I think this rifle likes to be clean. I was pretty happy with how it was shooting up to those two fliers. But I did notice the dirtier it gets the higher it shoots from more pressure pushing the ball along. Now that the windage is good I'll have to see how those first two shots shoot after it's had a full cleaning. See if they are 2" low like today's first two shots.
I really didn't purchase this gun for anything specific, I just wanted a Lyman. So I'm happy enough with it. Maybe next time out I'll try some Maxis just to see.
Forgot: My one complaint is the wedge backs out.
It wasn't all that tight to begin with, so I put a bend in it last night and it had to be tapped in. I thought it was good to go, but it backs out a little every shot. And it's still tight enough I can't move it in or out with my fingers.
Suggestions? Try putting it in from the other direction? I know last night I would only go in in one direction.
My TC only has one wedge and it stays put...
But it's a $500 rifle, so I expected to put a little time into it. And I got to learn about a different kind of lock than what I am used to.
So after a major fluff and buff, the trigger pull was much more comfortable. I didn't gauge it, but at least it would be on the scale now.
I did hit the front sight this morning with a white paint stick until I get a silver blade ordered. The sight picture was improved, but not as nice as I like.
First two shots today at yesterday's 6"rnd target.
Oops, forgot to say 3F. And the powder was Grafs.
Tap, tap, tap
Notice how the elevation also came up for whatever reason? More on that later...
Fresh target after an alcohol swab. Excuse my field notes, but it's easy for me to remember what I was doing if I can read it later
Shots four and especially five were getting noticeably harder to load so I dropped down to a prelubed .010 patch
Then out of the blue
So I cleaned it the best I could with what I had, small alcohol swabs, tow and a .45 brass brush.
Note to self: Find a small spray bottle I can put some moose milk in for my range box.
So, what did I learn?
I think this rifle likes to be clean. I was pretty happy with how it was shooting up to those two fliers. But I did notice the dirtier it gets the higher it shoots from more pressure pushing the ball along. Now that the windage is good I'll have to see how those first two shots shoot after it's had a full cleaning. See if they are 2" low like today's first two shots.
I really didn't purchase this gun for anything specific, I just wanted a Lyman. So I'm happy enough with it. Maybe next time out I'll try some Maxis just to see.
Forgot: My one complaint is the wedge backs out.
It wasn't all that tight to begin with, so I put a bend in it last night and it had to be tapped in. I thought it was good to go, but it backs out a little every shot. And it's still tight enough I can't move it in or out with my fingers.
Suggestions? Try putting it in from the other direction? I know last night I would only go in in one direction.
My TC only has one wedge and it stays put...