Sidekick loads advise ?

[scottjge]

My father and I both bought a NEF Sidekick and are having some problems which neither of us can figure out nor understand. We had them last year for hunting season and both shot excellent with Black powder and Maxi Balls. This year we wanted to try some of the new technology out there so we bought some Shocky's Gold, Triple 7 primers and some power belt bullets. To be more precise, we are using 295 grain Powerbelt bullets with the Areo tip. At 25 yards it is shooting about 4 inches low, at 50 yards it is shooting about 3 inches low and at 75 we can't even hit the target. We have no idea were the bullet is going because it isn't even hitting the back board that the targets are on ! We aren't getting any fouling to speak of, every bullet loads the same as the very first one. I can not believe that from 50 to 75 yards that there is such a drastic change in the point of contact in these bullets.

Does anyone have any idea or suggestions on what may or may not wrong ? I know it is hard to troubleshoot anything unless you are there on the range but was wondering if anyone else has ever had any experiences or similar problems with this set up.  Whether it is the bullets, powder,primers or the combination of all three.

Thanks,
scottjge

[cattleskinner]

If it were me, I would sight it in to be dead on at 25yds., and go from there.  I think that you might be running into a problem by not having it hit to point of aim up close.  Another would be to use a bigger target so that you can see for sure where it is hitting.  There is times that I will use something along the lines of a washer or dryer box as a backer so that I can see where my loads are hitting farther out.  I've heard through the grapevine, that occasionally powerbelts will retain their plastic skirt, rather than them falling off like as they are supposed to.  If I remember right, the fix was to take it on and of a few times, or slightly lube the post that the skirt is snapped onto so that it will come off easier.  I never had a problem with that happening when I used them, but from what I've read on the computer it's something to try.

Found this one too, that might be close to your ballistics if your barrel is a 26" one.
http://www.powerbeltbullets.com/docs/PBB26inchballistics.pdf

~Amos

[Jal5]

I can only tell you that mine loves the 295 Powerbelts with two pellets of Triple Seven using 209 primer. It is consistently under an inch at 75 yds. using a scope. You don't mention what sights you are using but if scope make sure the scope is tight and secure to the gun. Definitely use a large enough backing material on that target so you can see precisely where the point of impact is at 25 or 50 yds. then go from there. good luck figuring it out.

Joe

[dumgunny]

  You don't mention the the granulation size or the charge weight, but I can tell you that the smaller the grains (fg,ffg,and fffg etc) will effect the pressure and velocity, the new "synthetic" powders ( 777 ,Shockeys, Cleanshot, et-al) are designed to replicate VOLUMN for VOLUMN loads for regular Black powder and they are SIGNIFICANTLY hotter powders and even at V/V they may be causing your rifle to shoot the same weight bullet faster, and in turn FLATTER. making the parabolic straighter and in turn shoot lower at shorter ranges.
   I would try backing my load down a tick or two and trying it. I am also unsure of the effect of the lower ignition primers, but there will be an effect of some sort on burntime and accuracy.
  If this proves in effective, I would go back to the Maxi Ball. It is designed to engrave the rifling when seated and is a very accurate projectile. The rifling grabs the sabot's too. but in my experience, the Maxi  while a little stiff to load is hard to beat!
JMH2¢
DG

[kooz]

Had the same problems with mine also, had nothing but problems with 777 and could never get the sights to regulate with the 295gr pills . I switched to 345gr powerbelts and 95gr of loose pyrodex RS. I am getting 2.5" groups @100yds and I'm sure I could cut that in half with a scope, but we can't use them here in Colorado. Took my first Co. mule deer this year with that load, knocked it down so hard I had to pick sod out of her mouth. Good luck