Author Topic: Black powder shootin' (Read 4208 times)

sonny · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2017, 10:11:28 PM »

Looking for percussion caps on my drive north..

Ron's in Edson...nada
CX shooters in Morinville..nada
Cheap seats in Athabasca... nada
Canadian tire outdoors store in Fort Mac... nada

Looks like I'll have to make a side trip to P&D on my drive home next week.

coachman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2017, 10:56:48 PM »

Did you get my text? Order it now, will be home before you. Order Pyrodex should be easier to ship.

sonny · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2017, 11:00:31 PM »

Quote from: coachman on February 22, 2017, 10:56:48 PM

Did you get my text? Order it now, will be home before you. Order Pyrodex should be easier to ship.

Yes I did but I'm just looking for an excuse to go to gun shops.. lol

coachman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:18:05 AM »

Why do you need an excuse? I am sure you will find something you like.

LeverAction · « **Reply #24 on:** April 22, 2017, 06:08:32 AM »

It can be. Now comes the best part of the black powder, You will need to start playing with loads, patches, patch lube, a lot of guys even make their own custom lead balls . Its kind of like reloading your own right on the spot. Also of course playing with your sight elevation when shooting. Same as any other gun, each is different and you need to find out what yours likes. Just remember to never go past the max load of the loading chart. The 54 with a .530 ball and a .015 patch loaded with 80grns of 3F is a good starting point, the max load is 120. I'd say go 90grns and slowly work it up from there, I like to listen to the "crack" of the shot and inspect the patch for burn after the shot, it tells a good story as to how the ball is seeded and the burn of the powder. I think you find it will come around with out to much work. There is always a fine line between pushing the ball to distance, and keeping it accurate. And just about forgot, keep the barrel clean between every shot or two, most times just a quick swab will do. My 2 cents anyway, other's will hopefully chime in, always good to hear other opinions.

sonny · « **Reply #25 on:** April 22, 2017, 08:53:58 PM »

Thanks LA....I'll keep experimenting with different loads and patches.

I think my hunting days are mostly over but I do like to pursue accuracy.

Bhah...who am I kidding...shooting front stuffers is fun..

Walleyes · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2017, 05:46:45 PM »

Looks like pretty nice grouping to me sonny.

BruceW · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2017, 04:57:38 PM »

Quote from: sonny on April 21, 2017, 11:05:03 PM

50 yards..100 yards drops it about 12 inches...Is this normal?

Round ball with 80grns of FFF

The .50 like yours I had was minute of deer heart to 80 yds with 80gr FFG. At 100 yds I may as well have thrown the rifle; have an equal chance of hitting the target. Gave up trying, figured it was simply an 80yd rifle. You could try the other brand of balls, the two major one's are different sizes despite what the box says.

Find yourself a browning mountain rifle in .54 4" circle from 180 yds all day long.

coachman · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2017, 08:37:35 PM »

I do not have a mold for the 54 but I have one for the 50. I think it is around 500Gr in a mini ball with a hollow base. I find that it is about the best for me. I got the first hollow base lead bullets back in the 80's from I old guy here in town, and it took me a long time for me to find the same mold. If you can find one maybe my wife will cast a few for you to try.

greylynx · « **Reply #29 on:** July 30, 2017, 02:12:47 PM »

Sonny or any one else:

Have you checked over any side by side black powder shotguns?

What sort of stuff should I be looking at before buying one?

sonny · « **Reply #30 on:** August 02, 2017, 11:06:18 AM »

Quote from: coachman on July 29, 2017, 08:37:35 PM

I do not have a mold for the 54 but I have one for the 50. I think it is around 500Gr in a mini ball with a hollow base. I find that it is about the best for me. I got the first hollow base lead bullets back in the 80's from I old guy here in town, and it took me a long time for me to find the same mold. If you can find one maybe my wife will cast a few for you to try.

Stuck up in the salt mines for a few more.

Will post a pic of some conicals when I get back home..

JIMMY 808 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 04, 2017, 07:40:21 PM »

Looks like you are reloading after all sonny.

Well kinda anyways lol.

JIMMY 808 · « **Reply #32 on:** August 04, 2017, 08:10:58 PM »

One handed

sonny · « **Reply #33 on:** August 05, 2017, 07:13:36 PM »

Took the .50 to the range today and fired those conicals,was not impressed.

At 50 yards there was no noticeable difference between the conicals and round balls.

At 75 yards the round balls held a tighter group and closer to the bullseye than the conicals. Go figure!!

At 100 yards both were hitting about 12-14 inches low.

But bottom line is that I had a blast!

coachman · « **Reply #34 on:** August 05, 2017, 08:27:20 PM »

Now try different powder charges. What are you using for powder 2f or 3f? You are just starting to play.

sonny · « **Reply #35 on:** August 05, 2017, 08:58:21 PM »

Quote from: coachman on August 05, 2017, 08:27:20 PM

Now try different powder charges. What are you using for powder 2f or 3f? You are just starting to play.

Using 60 grs of ffg.

Tried 80 grs of ffg but didn't really notice any difference...except more smoke..lol

sonny · « **Reply #36 on:** August 06, 2017, 08:22:54 PM »

Well I took coachman's advice and I tried different loads with different powders and different rifles..54 and .50...

Needless to say I did a lot of shootin' today.

So in both rifles I tried both ffg and fffg with loads in 60gr 70gr 80gr 90gr and yes even a wopping 100grs.

I took a thermos of hot water with me and cleaned the rifles after every three shots just to make it a fair fight.

So long story short the best load in the .50 was 80grs of fffg and for the .54 it was 90grs of fffg.

So 3fg must burn quicker than 2fg..hmm.Anyway the .50 was printing on the bull with about a 5 inch group.The .54 was a little bigger group but get this.The .54 was better at 50 yards but the .50 was better at 100 yards.

btw.. 100grs wasn't any better so I think I was just wasting powder......Had fun.

coachman · « **Reply #37 on:** August 07, 2017, 04:22:23 PM »

A 5 Inch group for a old guy like you with open sights is pretty good. Can you even see a hundred yards or is your wife telling you where to point the gun? When you get the 36 let me know I might come out just to see it shoot. Have not shot one since the 70's

sonny · « **Reply #38 on:** August 07, 2017, 04:49:13 PM »

Quote from: coachman on August 07, 2017, 04:22:23 PM

A 5 Inch group for a old guy like you with open sights is pretty good. Can you even see a hundred yards or is your wife telling you where to point the gun? When you get the 36 let me know I might come out just to see it shoot. Have not shot one since the 70's

haha I got lucky on that group and I won't tell you about the groups that were twice that size.

The .36 should be here in a couple of weeks depending how fast the paperwork goes.

coachman · « **Reply #39 on:** August 07, 2017, 05:40:44 PM »

Still good shooting with the sights they have on them. The front sight on mine is 1/8 inch wide.