1st ever smokeless groups

[Deleted]

I took the McGowen to the range today and shot some 100yd groups. I am not doing cart wheels yet but I am pleased with its first outing and my first time shooting smokeless. I just need to do a little more sanding and seal her up. All shot with 58gr H4198.

1st group after 1 shot and scope adjustment.
Hornady SST's, Harvester sabots
Bullets tracked from top to bottom. 1.55"


2nd group after minor scope adjustment, same combo. 1.15"


3rd group after minor scope adjustment. I thought I had more Barnes 195's in my shooting box but could not come up with a 3rd to fire off. 2 Barnes 195's in Harvester sabot.


I used my Lead Sled today and I am now over the pucker factor. Next trip it's using my bulls bag and Caldwell rear rest which I like using better anyway. It was in the low 80's today with a L to R wind.

[deadon]

That is a good first outing and also some good shooting.

[dennis31]

Nothing wrong with those first time out. ;D

[Richard]

45Omega............you are definitely on track. Keep us posted on your future range escapades ;D
Richard

[153]

45omgea are you cleaning between shots? I do not and it takes about 7-8 shots though a clean bore then she settles down and starts shooting MOA, the first 7-8 shots will produce 1.5-1.75" three shot groups.

[Deleted]

I did not clean between shots. The last 2 Barnes were around the 8th and 9th shots I believe. Good info, Thanks!

[bigmoose]

I think you will much better, without the lead sled, which is just about worthless

I have one, use it to mount scopes and to bore sight my rifles

Good luch, you are off to a fine start.

Marty

[Deleted]

not bad at all, a little tweaking and you will shooting bug holes

[Deleted]

Marty, the sled i use makes for some easy shooting and some pretty good groups. I could always use two...

[Deleted]

I am now confident in the gun so the Lead Sled will not be used. I did use the Sled to sand the stock and mount the scope. ;D

BTW..I was able to find 5 sabots and they all looked great.
I used CCI209M primers. I wanted to try Win209's but forgot them at home.

[jims]

Very solid for this time of year and first time out. I had mentioned earlier on that I thought the McGowens potentially might be a capable barrel. I had considered one before but did not want to wait for the cut rifling to get into production.
It looks like it will do all you ask.

[tar12]

Omega as Jim said..very solid!

[dave d.]

:)steve excellent start. cant wait for more targets.

[GMB54-120]

Im pretty much over the pucker factor now. I took it really slow the first time out with mine and on the sled too. After shooting subs for so long and knowing you are going to be shooting quite a bit faster, you are not quite sure what to expect.

Groups like that, the first time out and first time you quit smoking.....Well, i would be rather happy.

[Deleted]

I have no idea how it shot so good today. I started working more on the stock tonight and it was no where near freefloated. I sanded and kept checking for over an hour! I almost have her freefloated now, just a tad more back by the recoil lug. Next trip should be even better. ;D

[lwh723]

Very impressive for 80 degree weather. My barrel is blowing sabots by the 3rd shot in that kind of weather.

[Deleted]

Nice, take a few more bullets next time out,lol.
Smokeless is the s#&@ isn't it ?
Greenhorn

[Richard]

Omega............as a benchrest shooter, I never had any kind words for "those lead sleds!". I ate up over 2,000 pounding 2400+ fps 300 gr. bullets in my .50 using a regular rest and PAST shoulder recoil absorbers. Then I tore my rotator cuff on my RIGHT shoulder and had the operation. This forced me to borrow my friend Bill's lead sled. I found a lot that I didn't like about the sled and wanted to make many modifications. So I gave Bill back his sled and bought a spare from Jon (on the board). With the modifications I made along with the base it guides and slides on, it is just like shooting my heavy 45 lb 1,000 yard gun. It does not jump all over the place.........it recoils and slides rearward with the feet guided. All the moving parts have been either brass or nylon bushed or bolted solid. For a muzzleloader, if you shoot as much as I do? It is definitely the "cats meow!" That is all Herman uses to shoot his muzzleloaders...............He now has Bill's sled ;D
I will agree that once you want to do your final prep for hunting season? The shoot the way you would in the woods. But for sitting at a bench and shooting anywhere from 30 to 40 shots every week...............Its the Lead Sled!
Richard

[sw]

I think you are doing well. My warm temp saboted groups have generally been larger than my cool temp groups. To see what your gun can do, consider using straight 2015 starting out at 55-58 gs and slowly work up. Also, consider using a wool wad under your sabot as this reduces the chance for sabot failure. If I were shooting your gun, I'd use a duplex load of 5-7g of booster ( 4759 or VV-110) and 2015 starting down as low as 45g. These loads likely won't be best for cool temps and they will be very temp sensitive but should be extremely accurate. To keep the barrel fouling consistent, a very lightly moistened patch(black powder solvent -no oil) followed by a dry patch has helped me. You may well have your own procedures which may well be better than these, but this is what I've found that works well. The above is recommended to see what the gun is capable of shooting : accuracy-wise.

[pointman]

i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq141/pointman732/34607ec7.png

This might give you an idea on velocities. This was my new pac nor barrel 25" all shot with 200 GR xtp and smooth blue Harvester.

I have settled on duplex of 8 GR 4759 and 50 GR h4198 for now

Love this gun as it seems to shoot just about anything I stuff down it well. I even found some knight 165 grain bullets that look like they were made by Barnes just like 195's at local gun shop. Been sitting on his shelf for years. Shot them the other day with this powder load and first 3 shots at 100 yards were just under an inch.

[GMB54-120]

I have settled on duplex of 8 GR 4759 and 50 GR h4198 for now

Its funny you mentioned that duplex since those are the two powders ive have talked to 45Omega about in PMs since he started thinking about a 45cal SML. Granted i am a total 45cal SML newb but i can still read pressure traces, chrono readings and look at a group on paper.

IMO those two powders could satisfy many shooters that are not after 3000fps. Either seem to work as a single and combined they appear to make a decent duplex. The 8/50 or 52 really looks promising to me and appears to have a nice balance of FPS and a low ES/SD.

I think both mine and his goals for a 45cal SML are similar, lower cost and performance that exceeds recommended BH209 loads but with a good safety margin. I applaud those that want more and achieve it but sometimes the KISS theory is kinda nice for us newbies.