Range Results With Target Classic

[brennemanj83]

Finally got a chance to hit the range today with the new Target Classic.My shooting consisted of 2 different loads,both were with 250gr cast lead bullets dropped from a Lee mold using a mix of 50/50 wheel weights and pure lead..Load #1 was 9.5grs Unigue used to sight in at 50yds.These shot suprisingly well with smallest group just under 1" with very little recoil.Since this was a used rifle i didnt bother with a break in procedure.I cleaned the bore and moved out to the 100yd mark for load #2.It consists of 45grs Swiss FFg with a little more noticable recoil (and let me tell you shooting Black Powder in this rifle is a blast.)Really got a lot of attention at the range once i switched to the FFg loads.My first shot was to foul the bore followed by blowing through a blow tube to keep fouling soft.I fired 5 shot groups with a break in between to use the blow tube and allow the barrel to cool a little.I also swabbed the bore every 5 shots.I am very amazed with the results I got using the FFg loads.Especially conidering this was my first time ever loading BP cartridge loads.And it is very addicting.When I arrived home immediatly broke the rifle down and cleaned it like I would my muzzle stuffer.A picture of my last group fire can be seen below.

Jon

[LONGTOM]

Looks very promising!

Don't forget to clean that brass also.
It will begin to tarnish in just a day or two if you don't!
Just drop them in some soapy water for a few hours and then lay them out to dry.
 

LONGTOM

[brennemanj83]

LongTom..........I dropped the brass in soapy wter yesterday after arriving home for a few hours and put them in my tumbler this morning.They came out clean as a whistle.

[Slufoot]

What type sight did you use to shoot the group at 100 yards?
Sounds like the blackpowder bug has bitten you!
Did you shoot the bullets from the mould as cast or did you size them?

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[quickdtoo]

Looks like ya done good Jon! 

Tim

[brennemanj83]

I still have the factory sights on the rifle.....plan on going with a tang sight and a lower globe front.I used the bullets as dropped from the mould which were .380'' even though my bore is .381.I used a recipe for boolit lube that I found over on Cast Boolits to pan lube the bullets.My next step is to try paper patching some bullets and trying that and see what kind of results I get.I normally cant shoot very good with open sight but with the TC having a longer sight radius I can focus alot than with normal open sights.

[towpro]

I used the bullets as dropped from the mould which were .380'' even though my bore is .381.I used a recipe for boolit lube that I found over on Cast Boolits to pan lube the bullets.My next step is to try paper patching some bullets and trying that and see what kind of results I get.I normally cant shoot very good with open sight but with the TC having a longer sight radius I can focus alot than with normal open sights.

Maybe try straight lead for them boolits and they might bump up to seal the bore when the holy black explodes behind them

PS: I'm Compass Will over at the Cast Boolits site.

[TopperT]

Way to go Jon........... Black Powder is great!,,,,,,,,Smokeless after all is just a "passing fad" anyway ......... 

What is your O/A length and what type of wad are you using? 

As I have 15 pounds of it, I'm staying for now with the Swiss FFF, and 39.8 grains with my .381 dia., 265 grn heads ,  Last week this yielded some great groups at 50 yards.  I will move out to 100 yards if the weather gets better this week.  I also want to try heavier loads of FFF now that I have the Starline brass and a slightly longer case length.....the combinations are endless indeed!!!!

[brennemanj83]

Jim how ya been I havent heard from ya in awhile.My OAL is 2.580''.I am using a .030'' Vegetable fiber wad.I am stuck with winchester brass for now but hope to have some of the longer starline brass before long.I am also using Winchester LR primers.