.50 Cal. Green Mountain Barrel

[Windriverbob]

I have a new rifle sporting a Green Mountain .50 cal. barrel. Range testing so far has indicated a .490 RB with some .018 JC Pennys pillow ticking gives a nice fit and the patches are almost reusable. 70 & 80 grain charges of Swiss 3F black powder have not produced a satisfactory group. Any suggestions from those among the readers of this forum that have GM .50 cal. shoot'en irons would sure be appreciated. Thanks.

[Michigan Flinter]

I have the same barrel on my hog rifle L.H. flint  in .50 cal. I use a .500 round ball .020 patching and bear grease and 90 grains of Goex 3 f. It is a very accurate rifle. It can be shot all day without running a cleaning patch down it. I just use tap water to clean the bore three to four patches is all I need to get it clean and us three or four to make sure it is good and dry and then use bear grease to lube the bore and wipe down the lock and stock with the same lube. Woerks for me .

[Windriverbob]

How hard is it to drive the ball down with that combination?

[rsells]

I have used the Green Mountain barrels on several rifles, and it seems that they shoot well with the following combination:
1. .015 pillow ticking that has been washed and dryed
   (measures .018 after washing).
2.  495 round ball
3.  60 gr FFF powder
4.  Chew the patch for lubricant when shooting target, and
     saturate with Crisco for hunting
I always shoot groups using powder from 45 gr increasing in 5 grain
incriments to see what groups best when working up a load.
                                                                  Roger Sells

[smylee grouch]

495 ball-20/1000 tic-greassed-80 gr. 2f swiss-short starter- one hole groups at 50 yds.

[ken]

In my Greenmountain 50 cal I use 495 ball 20thousand pillow ticking  and 70grains of 3fff Goex  The Swiss is a bet hottter than Goex  Try backing down on your charge and see what you get  Good luck    ken

[deertracker]

.495 Hornady round ball, 80 grains Goex FF, and wet moose milk lubed denim, .022 thick. Prints a single hole at 50 when I do my part.

[Windriverbob]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. If it ever warms up enough to get back out to the range I'll try these loads.
Bob

[mike e]

I shoot .490 RBs, .018 pillow ticking, Goex FF 90 grains. Spit lube or deer tallow no wiping with either.

[hortonstn]

i like green mountain for the mony their great, just for kiks try a .490 rb 020 teflon ticking and
65 grns schutezen powder 3fff i shoot this bench rest at a 3 inch circle 60 yds....

[Dphariss]

I have a new rifle sporting a Green Mountain .50 cal. barrel. Range testing so far has indicated a .490 RB with some .018 JC Pennys pillow ticking gives a nice fit and the patches are almost reusable. 70 & 80 grain charges of Swiss 3F black powder have not produced a satisfactory group. Any suggestions from those among the readers of this forum that have GM .50 cal. shoot'en irons would sure be appreciated. Thanks.

Same patch with .495 ball.
Should load easy.
75-90 gr of FFF Swiss.
Patch lube can be very important so try some different lubes. Different level of lubricity can change how the barrel shoots. A slick lube may need more powder than a drier lube.
Wiping every shot is also important for best accuracy.
I would recommend you get Dutch Schoultz's booklet.
It is a great  place to start.
Barrel should shoot into a ragged hole at 60 yards once the load is found.
1.5 or 2F Swiss may also work well.
Dan

[Dphariss]

How hard is it to drive the ball down with that combination?

.018 and .495 will load in my 50 cal GMs with no starter with a tallow or animal oil lube.
If you live in the west with low humidity tallow and bear grease etc will work well but they will not shoot all day.
Shooting without wiping is OK for hunting or if a water based lube is used. But someone following the Schoultz system will shoot smaller groups. Any decent barrel will shoot into 1/2" or less center to center if loaded right for 10 shots. A really good barrel will shoot through the same hole at 100. But it requires perfect conditions and a scope. Having a barrel maker that knows his business helps.
A light breeze will move a ball 1" or more at 60 yards. So if REALLY serious about the group put up one or two sensitive wind flags.

GM barrels are generally first rate.  Loaded right they will compete with just about anything a 60 yards.
 
Dan

[David R. Pennington]

My first build sports a .50 GM and it shoots better than I can hold. My best group at 100 yds was 3.5 " with 75 gr. 3F. Going up 5 grains opened my group to 6".