Author Topic: Back to the range (Read 688 times)

Grunthunter · « **on:** October 22, 2005, 09:10:33 AM »

OK, I got my breech plug out, recleaned and swabbed it with a patch loaded with bore-butter paste.

I took it out to our range last Thur after work and shot it 4 times at 100 yards.
1st shot: Just loaded two 777 50 gr pellets and a PowerBelt 295gr HP and a Rem 209ML primer (5-3/4" high, 1" to right). I was pretty much expecting a 'flier'
2nd shot: Didn't cleaning anything, just reloaded as before ( 3/4" low and 1" to left)
3rd shot: Pulled the breech plug out and pulled my bore-snake through it, replaced breech plug and reloaded same as before (2-3/8" left)
4th shot: repeated everything I did after shot 2 (back to 5-1/4" high)

Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good util the last shot. I thought maybe I was going to get a decent group to work with but it appears I have to start all over again.

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=478681945&photoID=483107367&security=fbYEcE

Well, can't seem to be able to post the photo of the target in here. It's posted in an album titled 'Box Blind' at the link attached to my signature and titled ML_Target_Oct_21.jpg

daddywpb · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2005, 10:58:01 PM »

You didn't mention what kind of rifle you're working with, but I had exactly the same problem with 777 in my Omega. Keep the 295 grain Powerbelts and try 2 50/50 Pyrodex pellets instead. This load is very consistent in my rifle. I have used different brands of primers and it doesn't seem to matter.

little red · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2005, 05:30:50 AM »

you also didn't say how far you were shooting, shooter error can also be a factor. It took me a long time to find the right bullet, powder combination, the best shooting rest, a good cleaning routine between shoots, how much powder, what kind of powder, understanding the wind and a hot barrol etc.
what would i suggest? I would read everything i could find on muzzleloader web sites on the muzzleloader i am shooting, from that information i would settle on a bullet and powder and the amount of powder to start with. I would keep notes so you have a record of what you have tried. I would never shoot on a windy day,I would clean the oil out of my barrol before shooting, I would shoot at about 75 yards, foul the barrol with two shots in the air, shoot once, spit patch my barrol on both sides of the patch, then run a dry patch threw on both sides, shoot again and repeat my routine. I take two big breaths, shoot on the slow exhale, use the tip of my trigger finger, and pull so slow that i don't know when the gun will go off. It works for me!

Grunthunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2005, 06:49:21 AM »

Sorry for any confusion. This was a follow-up to my previous post " Encore breech plug stuck - HELP! " I'm shooting a T/C Encore 209x50 (SS w/camo stock & Nikon 3x9 camo scope).

Oh Yeah, The target was set at 100 yds.

I was going to go back out today but now need to wait for Hurricane Wilma to pass through. I'll have to get out after work next week as ML season opens up next Sat. I'm not using loose powder. I'm using the Pryodex 777 50 gr pellets (2 of them).

When I was sighting it in last year I just pulled a bore-snake through it after each shot, to be consistant. It's amazing how clean one of those bore-snakes can get it, of course they don't pull through all that easy either. My hand gets sore pulling it from wrapping the cord around it.

Spit · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:41:33 PM »

My guess is the scope suffers from reticle float. I had a Bushnell trophy that gave me fits that way. 2 shots up then 2 shots down. Sometimes it would be up, down, up, down. Mine were also 5 to 6 inches apart. Your reticle is floating dude. Try taking the scope off and shoot with iron sights at 50 yards of a bench and I'll bet it shoots lights out. Try it. that way you can eliminate the scopr issue befor you spend alot of dough on bullets and powder. Not to mention the frustration!!!! I've been there. Also just spitpatch between shots and that should do fine. You have a great gun and it WILL shoot beter than that. Good luck.

hunt127588 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:51:05 AM »

Spit,
I think you may have just hit the nail on the head. I'm using a Knight MK-85 with a Bushnell Trophy on it and this past weekend, I had this exact problem. My shots would _NOT_ group. I'd have 2 shots high, then 2 shots low. Then I would have shots go left and right. I was barely able to keep a 6" grouping at 100 yds. I know it wasn't me b/c I had just finished sighting in a Win. M70 .270 at 100 with a .75" 3 shot group.

Bottom line, is this a problem with Bushnell Trophy scopes? It is mounted on my Knight with Holden IronSighter rings (which I hate - too high). Anyone else having issues with Bushnell Trophy scopes. I like the scope in terms of clarity (for the money). However, not being able to group my shots frustrates me.

Quote from: Spit

My guess is the scope suffers from reticle float. I had a Bushnell trophy that gave me fits that way. 2 shots up then 2 shots down. Sometimes it would be up, down, up, down. Mine were also 5 to 6 inches apart. Your reticle is floating dude. Try taking the scope off and shoot with iron sights at 50 yards of a bench and I'll bet it shoots lights out. Try it. that way you can eliminate the scopr issue befor you spend alot of dough on bullets and powder. Not to mention the frustration!!!! I've been there. Also just spitpatch between shots and that should do fine. You have a great gun and it WILL shoot beter than that. Good luck.

Camper · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2005, 08:58:25 AM »

I strongly feel that you need to find the right Bullet / powder combo for you M.L.

Having said that I found the same problem when I shot powerbelts out of my M.L. I switched to SST's and I am getting 3 inch groups at 100 yards. (using 100gr of 777 pellets)

I have a buddy that uses the powerbelts and he shoots good consistent groups at 100 yards.
So I am not putting down powerbelts!

If you haven't already tried different sabots/ bullets you might want to before replacing your scope.

other than the Sabots / bullets, I would say it is the scope as well.

camper

billy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2005, 05:02:00 PM »

Ihave an encore 209x50 and i was shooting 245 powerbelts in it with two 50 grain pyrodex pullets never would shoot to my liking,now shoot 300 grain shockwaves and it will hit two soots in a inch sq. at 75 yards.