Author Topic: Randy, The GURU of Muzzleloading (Read 924 times)

rpseven · « **on:** April 15, 2004, 01:53:45 PM »

It seems to you seem to know what you are talking about when it comes to these things. I have a t/c Encore .45 cal. it is suppose to have a 1:28 twist barrel and I am looking for a good bullet for it and a good load. Do you have any recommendations? This thing is about to aggravate me to death. I perfer using loose powder either pyrodex or 777 it don't matter, I just don't like the pellets. I heard and read that these like the heavier bullets is this true? Thanks very much. Robert

Underclocked · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:17:24 PM »

Randy is the Glueroo of the Flying Triple-V!

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:32:10 PM »

Ahem, well-- a little 'guru' goes a long way; the Muzzleloading Maharishi I'm not. :roll:

In a broad sense, I've found most .45 caliber muzzleloaders to be far less forgiving and more temperamental than their .50 cal counterparts. I did have some very respectable groups with my .45 Encore barrel-- in this "one incident" example, the 275 gr. Powerbelt (pushed by 90 gr. T 7 FFG or FFFg) did well.

The possibility also exists that you just have a poor barrel-- T/C has been known to let a few barrels with variable rifling depth slip out. In my Contender G2, the .40 / 45 220 gr. Dead Centers have shot MOA with 100 gr. T 7 FFg. The 200 gr. Shockwaves have been reported on favorably as well.

So, there are no great words from the hilltop-- just make sure your Encore's forearm is fully floated away from the barrel, and try a few different combinations. I'm not sure what has been tried or what has frustrated you to this point, or what your current groups are-- but, at the point you feel you've done your due diligence to a reasonable degree it may well be time to have Thompson look at it. They do stand behind their products. :grin:

rpseven · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2004, 01:48:25 AM »

Well when I first bought the gun it wouldn't shoot worth a darn. Then I heard about the 1:20 twist problem they were having and I had it checked out and sure enough I had one, I sent it back and I told them the accuracy problem that I was having with it and that it was a 1:20 twist and that probably was the problem and to send me a new barrel one with a 1:28 twist so supposeably they did. Along with it they sent a note telling me that they shot the 185 hornady XTP bullets with two Pyrodex pellets and they were getting 1" groups at a hundred yards well I tried it and I don't what kind of drugs they were taking at the time but this barrel wouldn't shoot anywhere close to that. I have tried the 225gr Power Belts and got 3" and 4" inch groups but I believe this gun can do better then this. I don't believe in this 150gr powder stuff I just think that is to extreme. I have tried it and when it makes your ramrod come out of your gun thats a little to much. Thanks for the help. Robert

Omega · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2004, 01:52:24 AM »

Quote

Quote
have tried it and when it makes your ramrod come out of your gun thats a little to much.

Nah, that's when things just start to get interesting!

Wolfhound · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2004, 02:25:31 AM »

Quote from: rpseven

Well when I first bought the gun it wouldn't shoot worth a darn. Then I heard about the 1:20 twist problem they were having and I had it checked out and sure enough I had one, I sent it back and I told them the accuracy problem that I was having with it and that it was a 1:20 twist and that probably was the problem and to send me a new barrel one with a 1:28 twist so supposeably they did. Along with it they sent a note telling me that they shot the 185 hornady XTP bullets with two Pyrodex pellets and they were getting 1" groups at a hundred yards well I tried it and I don't what kind of drugs they were taking at the time but this barrel wouldn't shoot anywhere close to that. I have tried the 225gr Power Belts and got 3" and 4" inch groups but I believe this gun can do better then this. I don't believe in this 150gr powder stuff I just think that is to extreme. I have tried it and when it makes your ramrod come out of your gun thats a little to much. Thanks for the help. Robert

What kind of rest are you using during your shooting?

rpseven · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2004, 10:34:21 AM »

I am shooting off a bench using sand bags.

grouse · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2004, 03:17:05 PM »

Quote from: rpseven

I am shooting off a bench using sand bags.

I used to do that also. I bought the Rock shooting rest from Midway USA.
I shot 100x better with it. Randy or big 6x6 can give you more detail if needed.

Underclocked · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2004, 03:32:19 PM »

Run a tight fitting patch down your bore using a rod that will turn freely as it travels. If it turns more than one full rev during the trip (as noted during insertion or withdrawal) you have a 1:20 barrel. If it turns less that a rev, it's 1:28.

Regardless of the twist, when you run a tight patch down the bore note the pressure required as you go. If the amount of pressure required seems to change dramatically in spots - you've got either a bad barrel or one that needs desperately to be thoroughly cleaned. If the barrel is truly clean and you feel those variations, you probably need to ask T/C for another barrel.

You didn't mention what your shooting/reloading procedure is. You should swab after each shot with a dampened patch to reduce and soften fouling. Follow the first damp patch with the flip side or a dry one. Be sure you are seating the bullet to the same depth at each load. Be sure you are measuring your powder in the exact same way each time.

And try some 275 grain PBs on about 90-100 grains of FFg T7.

Beware the mighty crud ring.

Busta · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2004, 10:15:19 PM »

Quote from: Underclocked

Run a tight fitting patch down your bore using a rod that will turn freely as it travels. If it turns more than one full rev during the trip (as noted during insertion or withdrawal) you have a 1:28 barrel. If it turns less that a rev, it's 1:20.

What I think UC meant is, if it turns more than one rev it's a 1:20. If it turns less than one rev, its a 1:28. I hate to correct the man, but I think it was bass ackwards.

grouse · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2004, 12:47:47 AM »

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteabrowse/1/689/655***

Underclocked · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2004, 06:49:30 AM »

You are quite right, Busta. Thanks for the correction. I will now use the handy edit feature to make it read correctly while attempting to correct my cranial-rectum inversion. :eek:

rpseven · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2004, 11:41:43 AM »

I always swab my barrel out with a damp patch between shots until it is clean as possible. I try to seat my bullets and measure my loads exactly the same every time. I did the tight patch test on the barrel I had before this one thats how I found out it was a 1:20 twist I guess I will have to do it on this one to. T/C told me they sent me a 1:28 twist barrel they better not have lied to me or the sh%& will hit the fan. Thanks for all the input any more will be well appriecatied. Robert

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2004, 12:47:11 PM »

Quote

Thanks for all the input any more will be well appriecatied. Robert

Under the same or very similar shooting conditions, what is your average group size with other rifles?

rpseven · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2004, 06:29:05 PM »

Well I have a remington muzzleloader and I can get 1.5 groups with it using 90 grs of pyrodex and a .50 cal. Sabot (.44cal.) 275gr. JHP core-Lokt bullet at hundered yards.