Long Range shooting(not hunting)

[montanadan]

Has to be round ball. I was wondering which cal. is the best for two hundred yards.I currently shoot a Lyman (GPR-54),would a 58 be better?current load is 100grns 2ff Goex,best score is a 44. I can not shoot off sticks(two back surgeries),just lean on tree. I generally average 36-38. I shoot in Wyoming the wind always blows, i have found that reduced loads move arond to much. I have not posted to much on this forum, but I read it everday. Thanks for all your help............montanadan

[Ramrod]

Good question. My ancient Lyman Black Powder Handbook shows about an inch difference in wind drift at 200 yards, 20 inches for the .54 in only a 5 mph breeze, compared to 19 inches for the .58 when both balls are started at 1400 fps. Probably the best way to cheat the wind is with more velocity. Recoil could get pretty bad with the .58 though.

[jeager106]

Small objects offer LESS resistance to wind.
Faster objects are in the air less time than slower objects.
lesson:
Small fast bullets drift less than slow big fat ones.
(we're meaning roundballs when we say bullets for this discussion)
Shoot the .54 and drive it as fast as good sense allows.
Pleeeeease tell me about this 200 hundred yard shooting you are doing.
What do other shooters use?
What is the scoring system?
Wht is the size of the target?
This has gotta be an intersting sport!

[crow_feather]

I guess I will differ a bit.  I would say that the most accurate load in whatever you shoot would be best.  You can figure hold over and drift for the drop and the wind. But you can't figure out where a rifle that shoots all over the place is gonna shoot next.

C F

[montanadan]

We shoot this in competition at least three times a year. Winter Challenge in Glenrock, Wyo.,this in Feb.05. Last year a fellow won it with a 40-flint,shot a 42(off sticks). Wyo. state championship won with a Pedersoli tryon(54 cal) 46. 50 is perfect score,5-shots off sticks-or natural rest. Sights have to be open all iron(no paint or inserts). The target is the NMLRA official target.(I have not measured it). Generally a 40 will win this. Like everyone else i have been practicing a lot! That 46 score has never been duplicated in match comp. again, at least out here. Last year shot a Pedersoli 45cal.,only shot a 26,new rifle.(got my rear-end handed to me). The Sheridan club shoots this almost every club shoot,as a group(team shooting) they are hard to beat. To do well,I think you must shoot mid to high 30s. I have been practicing  100(off hand) and 200-(with tree) as much as I can..It is addicting! sincerely montanadan. P.S. hope that tree stoll there!!

[montanadan]

Well I think Ramrod has answered this question for me, I think I will stick with my 54 gpr. Crow feather at this range 8 to 9 inch groups is average for me(if the wind is blowing), I have shot one 5 shot 61/2 group. wind was less than 15MPH. most of the time the wind is blowing 20to 25 MPH. I am going to measure the 200 yard target and post the actual number on it. Thanks to all  of you for all your helpful input, this forum is the best. Montanadan..who wishes he  was younger(better eyes). thanks agagin.............p.s. the wind is a cross wind.

[montanadan]

I said I would post the target size and number. Target no#B-200.Paper size is width 21 inches, height is 24 inches. To the outside of 6 ring is 19 inches,7 ring 16 in,8 ring 12 in,9 ring 8 in,10 ring is 4 in, X ring is 2 in. Five shots off sticks, iron sights (no paint or high lites). Our club gets these targets from American Target Co., shoot this on a calm day. Re-shoot with a 20 mph cross wind. I was wondering if any one can better a 46? Heck I can not even shoot a 46( 36 is average for me) with a best of 40. Thanks again............... good shooting Montanadan.

[Ramrod]

One of the interesting things about roundballs is that the smaller the caliber, the smaller the ballistic coefficient. So even with a higher starting velocity, the smaller balls loose velocity faster, and have no advantage at longer range in the wind. This is why all the armies of the world quickly went to bullets in their rifles, to gain B.C. hence longer practical range. That .40 cal guy didn't score as well as he did because he had a better gun, he must be one heck of a marksmen.

[montanadan]

RAMROD I could not agree with you more, I have tried the same target same conditions(roughly) with my 45cal. No cigar! On a good day maybe a 30, with very little wind. This weekend tried a friend of mines 58 cal., 135 grns goex 2ffg, shot one 9, and one 6. went to 145 grns, one 9 and one 8. That was enough for me,I now understand the recoil issue with a 58.(To much football,many broken collar bones).The day the 40cal won the 200,no wind(which is amazing for WYO),plus the shooter is very good. I have been practicing a lot(both 100 and 200),shot a 42 off hand in a 25mph wind with the 54. I did some more trigger work on the GPR and it is getting better. Respectfully Montanadan.(Who really likes the challenge of this )