OK guys, I started testing the accuracy of the A5 today but only got to shoot a few rounds thru the Smooth Bore Barrel.
I shot these off a Lead Sled my son loaned me, and that was a good thing as these were 1 oz. @ 1300 fps. Crisp! but not lethal.
I fired 3 Federal 12 ga Slugs at a Shoot n'See target at 50 yards to begin with and was about 12" high, with 2 to the right and one 6" to the left. Probably me, and this was after bore sighting the gun last night with a Wheeler Engineering Laser that magnetically attaches to the muzzle.
So I corrected the elevation on the rear sight, and fired 3 more rounds at a 3" Black Diamond stapled to the target.
I got this group which blew me away! See Pics below !!!
This group measures 1.5" x 1.0"!
I then shot a bunch of Lyman Sabot Slugs I had loaded before Christmas with 23 gr of Unique and a Fold Crimp. They were all over the place, and I think 23 gr of Unique was a bit too much for that slug and wad combo. Also future loadings will be Roll Crimped.
I also shot some of my Pumpkin Balls with 20.5 gr of Green Dot WAA12 clone and well used AA hulls. when I say well used I mean they had been loaded at least 7-8 times. These shot well but I ran out of target space so I just plinked with them.
So I guess I just shot my "Control Group" for the Smooth Bore Barrel. I don't see anything shooting much better thru a smoothbore barrel with open sights, so this is the standard I will judge all my smoothbore slug loads by.
I want to get the Lyman Slugs to shoot well, and I think it is possible by supporting the slug well in the wad using new Rio Hulls and Roll Crimping them..
I am off to Front Sight for another Tactical Shotgun Class in two weeks and I needed to sight the A5 in with the Federal Slugs as that's what I will be shooting over there. I have to be able to shoot birdshot buckshot and slugs interchangeably so that means using the smoothbore barrel.
My Lightfield Slugs should be here tomorrow so I can shoot the Rifled Barrel for groups maybe this weekend. They should be the best from it with the possible exception of The STI Sabot Slugs which Lightfield actually sells for Reloading?
Also I sent in my application for "Non Toxic Certification" for my Brass Inserts for the STI Sabots. Should be hearing back from them soon.
More to come.
Randy