Its fixin' to rain tomorrow so...

[Richard]

Herman, Bill and I decided to change our range day from Tuesday to today....Monday! More of my usual ramblings with a few notes:
This one has been popping up about 75% of the time and it concerns velocity and POI. Today, (.45 cal. loads) I noticeably popped up on several of the groups........1, 2, 3 and 7 in particular. The higher and lower velocity shots were the ones to spoil the groups. If you are looking to shrink groups, it is important to use a chronograph so you can relate those high and low shots that have opened up your group. Once you identify the source of the shots out of the group, then comes the chore of finding WHY that shot was a different velocity.
The problem can relate to the condition of the barrel....rough, smooth or in between? The cleanliness of the barrel.....dirty, clean and all points in between. The consistent fit of the bullet sabot. The accuracy of the powder charge. Dipped? Measured?, Weighted? Then, the consistency of the particular powder. In the case of sabot less shooting, the bullet fit is sooooooo critical to get low Extreme Spreads. The bigger the spread in velocity, the more vertical dispersion of the group.
In my first sabot less group, shot #1 was from a clean dry barrel with bullets I had tried an alternative sizing method. That first shot loaded so hard I almost bent my range rod getting it down. It was also the highest velocity of the group and the highest POI. After I started leaving a little oily film in the barrel seating got a little easier and shot #2 was the lowest in velocity and had the lowest POI.
I know these results are not carved in stone, but after firing some 3800 ML shots..........98% of them over a chronograph, I have found this to be the chief cause of poor groups..........followed by not noting wind conditions........This with an accurate rifle. If your gun is shooting buckshot patterns to start with, you have to get the gun right.
Also, just because a bullet/load shoots good at 100yds. does not necessarily mean it will follow thru at 200 or 300?

SW..................I shot some N-133 in the 7th. group...........just for you ;D I will tweak this one some more.
Richard

[smokeless77]

Richard, The Ftx looks like a good accurate sabotless bullet.
what do think in a 28" barrel, Same load?

Thanks John

[ET]

Richard

I agree a chronograph is a very helpful tool with providing shot velocities for understanding and seeing the affects on the groups. Also if you are generating consistent velocities and you are not producing reasonable groups obviously something else is wrong. It is a good diagnostic tool to help monitor one variable when shooting.

As you started to point out there are numerous variables that can affect loads. The task is finding what variable/s is affecting your load when a problem arises. The first resource for problem solving is this board because it has exceptional members who are willing to share their experience to help out when needed. When they provide advice & options for resolutions you have a good starting point to correct your problem. From this many develop the learning curve needed to better understand muzzle-loading and how to get the best from it.

A second resource for learning from this board is when others post about how a load works for them or how they improved their accuracy with a change in a variable or a change in their approach to their loading or shooting technique. Even though I am still with the 50 and haven’t responded much to your 45 resulting range posts I can honestly say I have picked up on a few things that have been enlightening.

To simply sum it up your contribution of your weekly range report does matter and is helpful.
Thanks for sharing.


Ed

[jeremylong]

I am thinking I am going to have to try load #3 with the barnes and see what happens.

Always looking forward to the reports Richard.

Thanks,

[smokeless77]

jeremy, I dont see a load with the barnes.

[Richard]

John.............You can definitely try that load for starters in the 28" barrel. You may find it gives you another 50 fps more and then again, maybe not? If the pressure is "used up" prior to the bullet exiting, there may not be an increase. You can always go up a grain of either or both of the powders. I believe this load to be well within moderate parameters.
AGAIN, these load were safe in my rifle the day I shot them, your mileage may vary! I believe everyone knows that any loads gleaned off this board are shot at their own risk.
Jeremy...........two weeks in a row now, that 13/55 load has given me sub one inch groups both saboted and sabot less. It looks like a good one. You will not that I upped the booster to 15 and dropped the main charge to 53 on load #6? I only shot it at 200 yards but the velocity did go up about 30 fps. Same total weight, but more of the booster. Would have also shot it at 100 yds. but not enough time. Also, while the 200 yard group was so/so, it might perform better with SST's or Barnes? Still pretty good for a pistol bullet
Richard

[smokeless77]

Richard, Have you tried the 200 Ftx out to 200 yards.

John

[Richard]

If you look closely, load #5 was the 200 FTX at 200. My good camera is still out for repairs and I tried to save space putting both the load sheet and targets together. The 200 yard targets I thought were of little interest so I just provided the group size.
You might also find that a bullet like the 225 or 250 FTX with more bearing surface will better stabalize and offer more accuracy at the longer distances. RB once advised me that he got his best .45 accuracy with the long heavy 300 gr. bullets? On the other hand, I went to the .45 so I could shoot a lighter, faster bullet with less recoil so I have not concentrated on shooting 300 grainers. I did a few times........once with pretty decent results and another with not so good results? I have shot the 225 FTX with mixed results but got some really good results with the 230 XTP? Go figure
Richard