Maven
03-10-2013, 04:58 PM
The weather today was perfect for a trip to the range. (Others had the same idea!) I wanted to see how the new (to me) SB would shoot from a proper rest @ 25 yds. As before, I used 60 grs. Diamondback FFFg + a
.550" weighed RB @ ~ 250grs. + .010" cotton twill patching lubed with "enhanced" Moose Milk (shots 1 - 5) and then Stumpy's Moose Snot (shots 6 - 11). I switched to Stumpy's MS because I thought it would prevent the blown patches I experienced last time. In short, it did. Except for shot 6 (diff lube, sic) on the target below, the greased patches produced a nice group at the 5 o'clock position.
My 2nd test was to try the above, but with a 3/8" wool felt wad, which I cut with a 5/8" arch punch, over the powder charge (still 60 grs.). Just to be clear, I was using the greased patch as well. After a minor sight adjustment (windage & elevation), I got a decent 6 (?) shot group, ruined by the 1st shot @ 3 o'clock. I also tried this offhand and was quite pleased with the result. I.e, not tiny groups (4 shots & 3 shots), but quite good considering I haven't been practicing for the last month. I'll try the felt wad again against the greased patch at both 25 yds. & 50 yds. to see whether the gun has a preference for one over the other.
Btw, the .010" twill patch isn't perfect (.012" would be better), but greasing it eliminated burn-throughs completely, and allowed me to start and seat the RB with only moderate effort. The bore, remained free of fouling as well
.550" weighed RB @ ~ 250grs. + .010" cotton twill patching lubed with "enhanced" Moose Milk (shots 1 - 5) and then Stumpy's Moose Snot (shots 6 - 11). I switched to Stumpy's MS because I thought it would prevent the blown patches I experienced last time. In short, it did. Except for shot 6 (diff lube, sic) on the target below, the greased patches produced a nice group at the 5 o'clock position.
My 2nd test was to try the above, but with a 3/8" wool felt wad, which I cut with a 5/8" arch punch, over the powder charge (still 60 grs.). Just to be clear, I was using the greased patch as well. After a minor sight adjustment (windage & elevation), I got a decent 6 (?) shot group, ruined by the 1st shot @ 3 o'clock. I also tried this offhand and was quite pleased with the result. I.e, not tiny groups (4 shots & 3 shots), but quite good considering I haven't been practicing for the last month. I'll try the felt wad again against the greased patch at both 25 yds. & 50 yds. to see whether the gun has a preference for one over the other.
Btw, the .010" twill patch isn't perfect (.012" would be better), but greasing it eliminated burn-throughs completely, and allowed me to start and seat the RB with only moderate effort. The bore, remained free of fouling as well