Author Topic: What is good muzzleloading accuracy, to you personally? (Read 1764 times)

RandyWakeman · « **on:** December 17, 2003, 06:03:19 PM »

"Accuracy" always gets a lot of attention, we all talk it, we all listen to what is called "more accurate" or is "better for accuracy"?

What is your personal accuracy threshold of what a muzzleloading rifle needs to be able to do at 100 yards?

big6x6 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2003, 02:26:22 AM »

It has GOT to shoot into two inches at 100 yards consistantly using a scope. I'm not talking about an occasional 3/4 in group here and there. I'm going to start shooting five shot groups myself.

Omega · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2003, 05:35:56 AM »

Sub 1" at 100 yards with a scope. I'll change bullets and powders and eventually start giving up velocity until I get that accuracy. A gun/bullet combination that gives up 10% of maximum performance to achieve that sub 1" group doesn't stay in my cabinet long.

Rich

ghostZ · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2003, 05:38:07 AM »

I have to be able to hit a soda can at 100yd with iron sites.

Flatland Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2003, 09:30:41 AM »

Consistent 1 .5" or less groups at 100 yards is acceptable. I find that accuracy is better than velocity anytime!

I use primarily a .451 cal White M98 Elite Hunter, 80 gr of 777 2f with a 460 gr No Excuses conical. I can shoot .75" or less at 100 yds and have dropped two bucks at 150 and 189 steps this year. I know where they are going and am able to put them where I want. Accuracy... works for me.

Rummer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2003, 09:34:52 AM »

I find 3" or smaller at my chosen maximum range (100 yards for my omega, 50 yards for my flintlock) to be practical. I find that both rifles easily exceed the standard.

John

Toby Bridges · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2003, 10:35:33 AM »

Hey there Flatland Hunter and Omega...

I see you two and Randy have found a great new place to hang out.

Acceptable 100 yard accuracy is a personal thing. And it largely depends on just how far a fella expects to shoot at a deer or other big game.

I rely on loads that have proven themselves capable of printing right at an inch (or better) at a hundred. Now, I'm not always up to that degree of accuracy...but I like to know that I'm hunting with a rifle...bullet...and powder charge that is. (Because if it isn't, I'll look even worse!)

When working up loads, I'm very choosy about my rest - and am a firm believer of using good shooting bags and to shoot from a rock solid rest. However, I realize that I'm not going to have those things with me when I'm in the field. So, once I have a load refined to where I can keep three-shot clusters inside of an inch at 100 yards with some degree of regularity...I'll then do a lot of shooting by resting on just the shooting bench...off a fence post...across a log...or something that will pretty well duplicate the type of rest I'm likely to be faced with when hunting. And if I can still keep my shots at 1 1/2 or so inches at 100 yards...I'm extremely happy.

TCAS · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2003, 03:12:48 PM »

that's a good one, I also just cannot find a good reason to keep a gun unless I can get .75 to inch at 100 yards and currently I have two muzzle loaders that will do that, but only 3 loads that will do .75 at 100. personally, I like to shoot for groups at 200 yards, Bad loads become much more noticeable and you can develop accurate loads faster.

My groups are 3 shot only- 1st shot (cold barrel but fouled with a few primers)

Funny thing, thou ----3 inches at 25 yards with my bow and I'm happy.

TCAS

Omega · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2003, 03:21:55 PM »

Quote from: TCAS

Funny thing, thou ----3 inches at 25 yards with my bow and I'm happy.

TCAS

Kinda the same thing, right?

I find if I'm shooting a bullet that obturates that shooting at a particular target distance is important. It is almost like those bullets go out there in a big spiral, left at 100 and right at 200. Any one else notice this?
Rich

Old Cane · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2003, 03:40:00 PM »

My Red Ryder does that. Seriously! At 400fps I can watch it spit out left and hook back right. Yes, the distance matters. I never thought of it happening in an actual fiream.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2003, 05:34:09 PM »

Quote from: TCAS

I also just cannot find a good reason to keep a gun unless I can get .75 to inch at 100 yards and currently I have two muzzle loaders that will do that, but only 3 loads that will do .75 at 100. personally, I like to shoot for groups at 200 yards, Bad loads become much more noticeable and you can develop accurate loads faster.

In an industry where 3 MOA is the unofficial "official" accuracy standard, that is a lofty goal. There aren't too many muzzleloader that will do that (3/4" day in, day out), not many rifles period if you shoot at the ranges I shoot at.

As for the 200 yard sentiment, Jeff Cooper would be proud.

grouse · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2003, 05:20:27 PM »

2" Or better is great at 100yds.

fairchase · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2003, 06:22:54 PM »

I shoot iron sights so, as long as I am doing my part, the rifle must put all shots into an eight inch bull at 100yds. Off my hunting sticks of course.

Flatland Hunter · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2003, 06:33:43 PM »

Hey there, Toby

!! Missed your post... sorry about that. I need another website to hang out at like I need a hole in the head :wink: .

big6x6 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2003, 02:56:19 AM »

"3/4" day in, day out"

I've been thinking about this some, as well as SHOOTING. Most have a digital camera these days. I would like to SEE five consecutive 3-shot groups at 100yds averaging .75 inches or less from ANYONE. To me, that is "3/4" day in, day out." SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Underclocked · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2003, 03:31:12 AM »

Chuck, this isn't quite what you are lookin' for but it aint too bad considerin'

Those are half-inch squares.

big6x6 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2003, 03:39:09 AM »

So are you on Whites' payroll now or WHAT? Those are GREAT groups.

Underclocked · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2003, 03:48:34 AM »

WHAT payroll?

No, I'm on nobody's payroll.

I think Ed Mehlig is pretty much one heck of a shot! :-) My White will shoot like that, but I'm not so sure I could for 20-some consecutive shots using different bullets and charges.

Super 91 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2003, 02:32:09 PM »

I have a number of Whites, mostly Super 91's. I have two that I expect to shoot under an inch at 100 yards with a good scope, good rest on a calm day, with my bullets of course. Or Mose's. I have a couple of others that will do this, I just have not shot them much lately. It may take a few days to work up the perfect load for the gun, but most all of mine will shoot into an inch if the conditions are right.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2003, 06:14:38 PM »

Quote from: Underclocked

WHAT payroll?

No, I'm on nobody's payroll.

The IRS has been wrong before. :gulp:

Flatland Hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2003, 06:14:54 AM »

Big6x6, I am with UC... I know my White is capable, I may not be able to for 5 groups in a row, but I have done it for three before the operator screwed up. That White provides a lot of room for operator error though.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 01, 2004, 08:37:31 AM »

Quote from: Flatland Hunter

That White provides a lot of room for operator error though.

As much as I like a White 98-- no gun does that.

sheephunterab · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2004, 10:40:52 AM »

Quote

That White provides a lot of room for operator error though.

You might want to rethink that one. Any gun is only as accurate as the person that is shooting it. If you are a 5" shooter, no gun will make you a 1" shooter. A good rifle can tighten groups by 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch in the right hands but in the wrong hands it's still a lousy shooting gun.

bubba · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2004, 03:34:03 PM »

I like to know that the projectile is going where I aim it. By far the best so far has been my H&R Huntsman. At 100 yards with a scope I have 5 touching each other off the bench. Could cover the whole group with a 50 cent piece. that was accomplished with 90 grains of loose pyrodex and a 245 grain powerbelt. It also worked well on 2 whitetail deer this fall. Back when my eyes worked well I could shoote very nice groups with my tc hawken and my traditions flint. But now they both shoot better then I can by far. Now I am starting to work on my new CVA optima I received for Christmas.

non typical · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2004, 04:24:52 PM »

My Encore w/120 grns. of T7 and 250 Barnes will shoot between .5-1.00" grps, but average .75 all day if I do my part. Encore, what a beautiful thing !!

PETE