Author Topic: Finally got my TC Fire Storm to the range today (Read 447 times)

TKO · « **on:** November 20, 2003, 01:19:08 PM »

Was shooting a .490 ball patched with 0.10 lubed patches over the chronograph with the following results:

50gr 1200 fps
60 1315
70 1425
80 1525
90 1675
100 1760
110 1825

These velocities are much lower :roll: than those posted in the load book supplied with the rifle. Powder used was Goex FFG.

It was a hoot and I didn't have to swab between shots. Fired over 40 shots and packed it in and went home. Will shoot again later to determine which load shoots better off the bench.

Grump · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2003, 01:45:40 PM »

Sounds like ya had fun with your new piece. Did ya shoot any decent groups? If ya ever get time to experiment further you should try a thicker patch and try a .495 ball and see if you velocities rise.It may also tighten up your pattern.I'm just thinking if ya shot 40 rounds and it still loaded pretty east your patch/ball combo might be a little under sized. I hope I can get out and try out some .32 maxi balls that flyfishr sent me this weekend.Have fun.

TKO · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2003, 02:29:53 PM »

Grump,

Groups with the round balls were dismal

. I think you're right about the patch fit and I am going to try 0.015 and then 0.020 if they don't work.

Got to the range today and shot some 295 grain Powerbelt HP's. Shot three shot groups starting at 100 grains and working up to 150 grains. Didn't shoot over the chronograph, but here are the center to center (subtracted .50 from outside group size) group sizes fired at 25 yards:

100 grain .50"
110 grain 1.0"
120 grain .875"
130 grain .7"
140 grain .7"
150 grain .7"

It's a wonder that I could hit the target at all with the horrendous trigger pull on that rifle :shock:

I am going to use the 130 grain load to hunt with as it shot the center out of a 50ft small bore target. That should put me pretty much right on at 100 yards (yes, I will check it at 100 yards next range trip with the chronograph).

It was kind of neat to watch the groups move. All were pretty much the same vertically, but the 100 grain load was 1/2" off to the right and things waked right over to center with the 130 grain load and then kept walking through to the 150 grain load that was 1" to the left. Pretty cool. :-)

Grump · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2003, 02:47:13 PM »

I believe your new shootin iron has a fast twist barrel.To get RB accuracy you will have to reduce your powder charges to around 50grs.Them power belts are pretty neat. Easy to load on a dirty barrel. Some sabots can go down really hard on the second shot. I once had to reload a Remington cor-lokt sabot about 20ft. up in a climber tree stand in the winter(15 deg.).Got it about half way down and couldn't push it the rest of the way.Ended up hammering the ramrod into the tree to get it seated.