Deerstalker on its way...Gettin' Ready

[Carphunter]

Well, ordered the Stainless Lyman Deerstalker .50 with the 1:32 barrel twist.

So, in prep, I've been looking at the supplies I need to pick up...

I know down the road I'm going to pick up some Precision Rifle KNHP .45 in 330 that Cecil recommended to try.  But, I'll probably have the rifle before I could get an order in for these bullets.  What commonly available bullets from Gander Mt. or other storefronts might be good to try on my first outing with the new toy?

Next thing.  I've read many many posts on powder.  I'll go with either Pyrodex or Triple 7, but which type shoud I be looking at for this rifle?  Do sidehammers have the chamber ring crud problem I've seen people mention when using 777 in Encores and Omegas?  Is one of these powders consistently a better choice for hunting (less susceptible to moisture problems on snowy days, humidity, etc?)

 I know with new cartridge rifles, there are steps to be taken prior to first shooting the rifle, and for the first X number of shots to insure the barrel will perform it's best down the road.  Can anyone point me at good posts or sites that go over this procedure for muzzleloaders?

Finally, I've gotten prices on the Lyman receiver sight for this rifle.  Lowest I've seen is $52.  Anyone know of a good place that might be cheaper than that?

TIAA for beating a newb with the Clue Stick....Carp
[/i]

[Wolfhound]

Well, ordered the Stainless Lyman Deerstalker .50 with the 1:32 barrel twist.

So, in prep, I've been looking at the supplies I need to pick up...

I know down the road I'm going to pick up some Precision Rifle KNHP .45 in 330 that Cecil recommended to try. But, I'll probably have the rifle before I could get an order in for these bullets. What commonly available bullets from Gander Mt. or other storefronts might be good to try on my first outing with the new toy?

Next thing. I've read many many posts on powder. I'll go with either Pyrodex or Triple 7, but which type shoud I be looking at for this rifle? Do sidehammers have the chamber ring crud problem I've seen people mention when using 777 in Encores and Omegas? Is one of these powders consistently a better choice for hunting (less susceptible to moisture problems on snowy days, humidity, etc?)

I know with new cartridge rifles, there are steps to be taken prior to first shooting the rifle, and for the first X number of shots to insure the barrel will perform it's best down the road. Can anyone point me at good posts or sites that go over this procedure for muzzleloaders?

Finally, I've gotten prices on the Lyman receiver sight for this rifle. Lowest I've seen is $52. Anyone know of a good place that might be cheaper than that?

I've no idea on the bullets since 260 is my max saboted bullet weight, so I can't help you there. That 1/32 will do probably do better with conicals though. Regarding 777, there's no crud ring in my GPR using #11 caps. The crud ring is a 209 shotgun primer issue wth 777. I've not read anywhere about someone having problems with either #11 or musket caps.

I have a simple break in procedure that I use for all my new muzzleloaders. I just shoot a package of conicals, with powerbelts being my preference due to the lack of messy lube. I just broke in an inline with a pack of Hornady conicals. I had a rough time loading before the break in, after my sabot loaded normally. Patched round balls work too but I've never used them to break in a rifle.

With the Lyman reciever sight, must be Midsouth right? That's the cheapest I've found on em. I just got onefor my GPR, and one of the globe fronts too. I haven't had a chance to shoot with em yet, but I'm pretty impressed so far.

[lonewolf5347]

Wolfhound I think you will like the 1in 32 twist my GPR has a 1 in 32 twist and so far it seems to love goex 3f  80 grains.I shot the rifle a couple of weeks ago for the first time and all I can say the gun shoots super.
I tried the REAL 320 grain with a wad over the powder 6 shots in a 2 inch groupe,now here this the same powder charge and a sst 300 grain sabot @ 80 grains of goex all 3 shots clover leaf at 50 yards.
The one draw back I find to the rifle is the weight on the GPR lyman say 9 pounds more like 12 pounds  

[Snowshoe]

Here is an idea to look at.  http://members.shaw.ca/bobschewe/
  The R.E.A.L. bullets shouud work very good in your rifle as should most other conicals up to 400g or so. As far as hunting is concerned, real black powder can't be beat. I have used 777 with good results, and have burned many pounds of Pyrodex as well. I find Pyrodex harder to clean up after than real black powder, so I don't use it anymore. If you are going to use sabots, make sure you get the plastic wash out. I hope you like your Deerstalker as much as I like mine.

[Wolfhound]

Wolfhound I think you will like the 1in 32 twist my GPR has a 1 in 32 twist and so far it seems to love goex 3f 80 grains.

I've got the 1-60 twist version. I was replying to Carphunter he said he had a 1/32". Mine likes 75 FFG 777 with a .530 rb with a .18 patch. Any more and I shred the patches and accuraccy goes south. Groups about 2" at 75 yds with the old partridge style sights. I'm hoping to improve on that some with the new Lyman peep and globe.

[lonewolf5347]

Wolfhound did you ever try a wonder wad before the patch RB?
seem someone said the same thing with the triple7 and buring thew patches,@ wad did correct the problem

[Wolfhound]

I know a guy who's done that. Never tried it myself though. 75 gr ffg 777 is a decent load though. 777 is about 15% hotter than pyrodex. It equates out to around 85-90 gr of Pyrodex and with a 223 gr ball that's plenty out to around 75 yds or so. That's about as far as I feel comfortable shooting with open sights.

[Carphunter]

Well, got to shoot the new toy last weekend.... what a hoot.

Two questions...

Anyone know the exact thread size of the cleanout screw below the nipple?  I want to replace the little p.o.s. screw that's there with some sort of either allen-head set screw, or even a bolt headed screw.

Next question...I was shooting triple seven.  loads from 60 to 100 gr by vol.  Um. How do I figure out "too hot" for rifle.  This isn't cartridge reloading where I can see extractor marks on the base.  I have no clue how to tell if the load is too hot for the rifle.  I was shooting bullets that ranged from 295 gr. sabot, to 405 gr black belt (black belt was shot with only 70 grain...no way I was putting 100 behind it without knowing what might be safe.

All in all, shooting was good.   Had two misfires...cap did not exploded on hammer strike.  I think those happened because the nipple was getting dirty, and the caps weren't seated all the way on...so first hammer strike just knocked the cap to the nipple.  Second hammer strike would ignite it.

Sights....going to have to do something with them...but not sure yet.

After shooting multiple shots from a bench...but not really working up load or anything, and occasionally getting some 8" from center flyers, I went to shoot unsupported.  At 50 yds I was keeping them in 3" from bull.  In fact, all of my unsupported shots were "deer killers"  so I was pretty happy.

Going to blast some more tomorrow...maybe will put some effort into finding at least one load combo that works.

[FallingCrows]

Carphunter,
check your messages. I responded to your email.

I shoot TC MaxiHunter 350gn bullets, 90gn. of Elephant Black Powder, and #11 CCI caps. I'm hitting the target about 1/2" to 1" above the bullseye in a 2" group at 50 yards.

They must have changed the clean out hole screw because  I have a hex head screw.  Give me a chance to check my manual.  Maybe it has information on the size.

And my twist is different than yours.  Mines 1:48.

I bought mine through midsouth shooting supplies. Along with Butches bore clean, patches, and extra nipples.
Remember the Nipples are Metric.  (I forget the size) 1.75 x 6

- skunkie

[Carphunter]

I got mine through D & R sports.

The stainless uses a different twist than the blue.

It's possible they use different cleanouts on the two different barrels.