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starting load
- Thread starter badgreek
- Start date
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paulvallandigham
Passed On
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
- Messages
- 17,538
- Reaction score
- 80
This is a round ball barrel. What ball diameter are you going to use? Have you measured the bore with calipers? Most of these guns shoot a .490" diameter ball well, but a few do better with a .495" ball. What thickness patching? Most shoot well with .015" patching, but others need thicker patching.
What powder? Real Black Powder or a sub?
What distance are you wanting to zero the gun for?
I am shooting a Green Mountain Barrel with a 1:48" ROT, using .490 balls, .020" patching, Wonder lube, 60 grains of FFg Goex Powder, and have the gun zeroed to shoot 2 inches high at 50 yds. That puts it about 2 inches low at 100 yds with 75 grains of FFg powder in my flintlock. My barrel is 39" long, which is longer than yours. For target work, I use a Walter's Fiber Wad in .510" diameter over the powder to seal gases. I also lube the barrel after seating the PRB.
What powder? Real Black Powder or a sub?
What distance are you wanting to zero the gun for?
I am shooting a Green Mountain Barrel with a 1:48" ROT, using .490 balls, .020" patching, Wonder lube, 60 grains of FFg Goex Powder, and have the gun zeroed to shoot 2 inches high at 50 yds. That puts it about 2 inches low at 100 yds with 75 grains of FFg powder in my flintlock. My barrel is 39" long, which is longer than yours. For target work, I use a Walter's Fiber Wad in .510" diameter over the powder to seal gases. I also lube the barrel after seating the PRB.
MikeChapin
58 Cal.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2005
- Messages
- 2,183
- Reaction score
- 6
When I build a new rifle I generally don't worry about sighting it in completly at first. I generally bring it in so it will print on the paper at 50 yards. I then find the best load for the rifle, shuffling load, patch and ball to get the tightest group.
I use non-adjustable sights on my rifles so I wait to do the final sight in until after I have found the best load. If you are using adjustable sights you don't have this worry.
With a .50 I would start with 50 grains, a .015 patch and a .490 ball. I generally use a lighter load for 25 and 50 yard target work and and sight in there. I'm lazy, so I go up in load to get it to print at the same point of aim at 100 yards. That is the load I use for hunting also.
It will take a bit of work to find the right charge, ball and patch combo. When you do, you will be amazed at how well the rifle will group in there.
I use non-adjustable sights on my rifles so I wait to do the final sight in until after I have found the best load. If you are using adjustable sights you don't have this worry.
With a .50 I would start with 50 grains, a .015 patch and a .490 ball. I generally use a lighter load for 25 and 50 yard target work and and sight in there. I'm lazy, so I go up in load to get it to print at the same point of aim at 100 yards. That is the load I use for hunting also.
It will take a bit of work to find the right charge, ball and patch combo. When you do, you will be amazed at how well the rifle will group in there.
I have had a gpr for years. My load is 100gr 2f goex,.495 speer or hornandy ball. Ticking .015 I like a spit patch for the range. With this load from the bench on a good day I can keep 10 shots all in the black on a sr-1 target at 100 yds. I wipe after every shot. I have used 90 gr 3f. Start lower and work up. 50gr has me on at 25 yds. Rember start low and work up. Jim
thanks guys for all the good advise on a starting load. i am new to muzzleloading and cant wait to get to the range with my new rifle. i have a good friend who introduced me to muzzleloading awhile back and ive wanted a gun of my own ever since. :bow:
410-er
50 Cal.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2005
- Messages
- 1,126
- Reaction score
- 7
I have the same as yours.After getting the oil crud out of the new barrel,I polished the bore up with 0000 steel wool and oil followed by soapy water,rinse.Really helped accuracy.Both my Lymans like .020 pillow.Play with both .490 and .495 RB's.See what yours likes.My 50 load is 80grs of FFg.
