Finally learning to shoot my smoothbore

[colmoultrie]

The 3-4 other times I've tried shooting this 16 ga. smoothbore, I haven't been able to hit a barn door from inside the barn. I'd tried both different patching and putting a bare ball over half a cushion wad, both without success. Yesterday, however, thanks to ChuckPa's suggestion, I tried 65 gr. of FFFg, 1/3 of a cushion wad, and the .648" ball patched w/ .020" ticking. I was shooting at about 15 yards, and I was amazed when I got 5 out of 5 on a 8x11" paper, pretty much to point of aim.

No, I wasn't aiming at the cup, but at King George himself. This isn't great shooting for an expert, I know, but given what I'd been getting before, it's a dramatic improvement for me!

I found that if I "crawled" my cheek as far forward as possible on the stock, I could pretty much get a consistent sight picture and hit.

Well, it's a start at least. Now a few hundred more rounds, and I might get somewhere! :wink:

 

[rabjr]

Nice looking gun. Thats pretty much what I found that my gun liked (12 ga), 1/2 of a lubed cushioned wad, 82 gr of powder and a .715 ball wrapped in .015 patch. Before that she was all over the place.

 

[PreglerD]

Hi colmoultrie!

I know how difficult it is to get used to a smoothie. I tested around with my .54 original smoothie until I was able to something. Meanwhile i'm able to hit a hand target at 25 yds with three shots three times. I use a .520 PRB, 75 grs Wano PP, 0,20mm lubed patch and a.54 bore button.

BTW where can I get this nice target?

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Hanz]

I'm glad you're getting it sorted out. That smoothbore is just too nice looking not to shoot and fully enjoy it.
I'm sure next time you'll do even better.

 

[tg]

Sounds like you are on the right track, things will likley improve quickly now, that is a very nice piece of wood on that gun, what is the barrel length?

 

[colmoultrie]

I just measured the barrel length. The outside is 26". The inside (measuring on the ramrod) is 25 1/2" to the breechplug.

 

[colmoultrie]

Somebody had a pile of them at our club. I think they were left over from a BP shoot years ago ( I think the target says " '78 " on the bottom,so I wouldn't be able to tell you where to get more, but if you have access to a printer, I think I could scan you a JPEG. Remind me via PM if I don't send you a pic in the next few days.

Freunde und Kollegen sollen einander behilflich sein! :grin:

 

[10 gauge]

Where did you get a picture of my mother in law to shoot at? :shocked2:

 

[romeoh]

Freunde und Kollegen sollen einander behilflich sein! :grin:

Dann hätte ich auch gerne eins bitte! :hatsoff:

 

[Cutfingers]

Hang in there. With my 20 gage it has taken the better part of a year to become consistent. I can now compete quite well with rifled guns up to 50 yds. Not beat them, but get their respect. I use 70 grs of FFF, a .600 round ball and .020 patch impregnated with moose milk. At a recent match I increased my powder to 80 grs at 75 yds and have had great results. I tried 90 grs at 100 yds and there is potential. May take another 20 years, but being retired who cares about time.

 

[colmoultrie]

Kirrmeister, Romeoh,

Check your emails. If you have any fun ones in return, I'd love them. Perhaps we can start a new topic in the photo section - targets to shoot at. I've seen some wonderful ones at the Schuetzenmuseum in Illerbeuren, near the Landwirtschaftsfreilichtmuseum / Bauernmuseum. I took some photos of those; perhaps they's make some decent targets, although you'd need a color copier... hmmm.

 

[PreglerD]

Hi colmoultrie!

Thanks for the target. Had it in my email yesterday.

Regards

Kirrmeister