Author Topic: Eratic groups from 16 ga. smoothbore (Read 3600 times)

Flifisher · « **on:** December 29, 2017, 07:43:44 PM »

Im sure that this has been beaten to death, but is eratic grouping from a smoothbore simply a matter of the load?

I'm shooting a 16 ga. with 80 gr. 2F, .640 roundballs and .010 patches.

Any input would be greatly appreciated and Happy New Year to everyone!

smylee grouch · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2017, 08:40:35 PM »

What other loads have you tried? If it won't shoot good groups it could be load, lube,patch,crown, or a combination of any of those. How do the recovered patches look? Shooting technique can also affect the groups. Food for thought.

little joe · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2017, 08:50:21 PM »

What is your skill level at shooting flintlocks. Possibly more practice is what is needed.

bob in the woods · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2017, 08:58:55 PM »

1st thing is a consistent sight picture. It's possible that this is the main variable re erratic groups ? Next is the load. Try as many combinations as you can. I would suggest a heavier charge as a first step.

Flifisher · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2017, 12:27:15 AM »

I also shot 90 grains of powder with the same ball and patches...I can typically put 5 round balls in a snuff can lid at 50 yds out of my TC. Renegade so I don't think it is entirely me. I am also shooting off of sandbags on a bench to try and sight it in.

patches that I found look like they are burned up pretty badly.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2017, 01:55:41 AM »

OK so the patches are trashed, they are IMHO too thin and your crown might need some work. Get some better patching( thicker and of tight weave). Smooth up that crown to help load with out compromising the integrity of the patch as you start it in the bore. My thoughts any way. Make sure you hold the gun in the exact same spot on the sand bags or whatever you use for each shot.

Daryl · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2017, 03:11:03 AM »

Smylee is spot-on with the crown and loading tighter combinations without cutting the patch.
This how-to with the resulting picture of my 20 bore's muzzle should help with the crown.
Rotate the barrel every 10 to 15 wrist 'twists' of the emery. I also use 320 wet/dry- whatever is handy at the time.
A couple patches just below the muzzle, will catch the sand-paper or emery's 'dust', which comes out with a worm,
or dental pic. Those are most useful in a shop - I get them from my Dentist's hygienist, who saves them for me.

Old Salt · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2017, 03:54:14 AM »

Sir
I do not know what shooting experience is, so please do not that offence at what I am going to say.
First do you use a rest? If you do use a rest do you place barrel in the same place each time you shoot?

If you do not use a rest I suggest you start. ether get a good sand bag, if you live in an area that dose not
have them available, then you may have to purchase a commercial gun rest.

Know I would shoot a new group and see if that helps. if not I would go to thicker patch .015 to .018 in
pillow ticking. if that dose not improve you group. Start changing loads, and working on the crown.

Let know if you get better groups.

Old Salt

bob in the woods · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2017, 06:09:19 AM »

What Smylee and Daryl said, however, I mentioned the consistent sight picture because most smoothbores do not have a rear sight. That has caused many decent rifle shooters a lot of grief. My friend couldn't get a decent group from his smoothbore until I installed a rear sight for him.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2017, 06:27:34 AM »

That's a good point Bob and also, shoot enough shots so you can eliminate any flyers and still have a grouping to reference to. A lot of shooters only shoot three shot groups and think they have it figured out. I like to shoot so when I try to work up a load or sight in a gun I will shoot 10 shot groups. Only change one variable at a time when your working up a best load.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2017, 06:49:46 AM »

I'd also like to recommend trying wads behind the ball instead of a patch. Can work wonders at times!

bob in the woods · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2017, 07:55:03 AM »

None of the best shooting loads I have found for my 10 or 20 bore involve the use of patches. Either wads, or paper cartridges work best for me.

Flifisher · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2017, 02:57:48 PM »

Thanks for clearing up what you meant by the sight picture part Bob, I did have a rear sight installed when I bought the gun. Does the Jug choke in the barrel possibly cause any issue with what I am experiencing either?

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2017, 05:27:23 PM »

Quote from: Flifisher on December 30, 2017, 02:57:48 PM

Thanks for clearing up what you meant by the sight picture part Bob, I did have a rear sight installed when I bought the gun. Does the Jug choke in the barrel possibly cause any issue with what I am experiencing either?

my customers tell me a jug has no effect on RB accuracy.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2017, 07:24:20 PM »

Two questions I always ask when someone is sighting in a gun. Does the gun fit you? An what kind of trigger pull do you have? Most people are surprised how much it affects there group. With all else being equal...

Mauser06 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2017, 09:51:28 PM »

My 62 is jugged and it's shooting fine. I haven't tried a patch as .600" balls are too tight to patch.

You will have to play with different loads to figure out what your gun likes.

A blown patch usually isn't good. Which is probably why youre having issues with it shooting well.

In my 62 I'm using a nitro card over the powder and another over the .600" ball. My bore seems a bit tighter than .62"

You can try various wads and cards and patches.

ddoyle · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2017, 09:54:16 PM »

Kind of a different approach and it does not solve the "group" result but a reactive target that simply registers- Meat or No Meat is a way to start learning how to get a ball to strike lung.

A nice big ballon at 30 yards, a casual off hand attitude and not to much thinking can be alot more fun and productive then trying to make a shotgun into a sniper rifle at the bench.
Your brain will remember what it saw/held when the ballon disapears. Just have the patience/fortitude to keep missing until the grey matter gets enough data.

Maybe treat it like reactive bow shooting for an afternoon and see what the gun teaches you. No ballons popping? Take a couple steps closer. Sometimes just burning powder and having fun is a legit strategy. dabble in the details once you have had some success.

thecapgunkid · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2018, 05:50:42 PM »

Always a great topic. In three separate smoothbores I have ended up with a tighter, bare ball and wads to get the group. I never pop more than seven rounds in a sitting, go through maybe two or three sittings and don't even think offhand until getting a tight group. Ignorance is bliss, and I no longer ask why.

rich pierce · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2018, 06:49:48 PM »

Great advice from ddoyle on shooting a smoothbore. It’s got to be feel and familiarity with no rear sight, ability to adjust sights, etc.

P.Bigham · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2018, 08:50:05 PM »

Make sure your Underlugs are slotted I have seen this cause problems if not done.

John SMOthermon · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:35:56 AM »

Have you measured the bore? What brand of barrel?

I have a 16 ya. Colerain that checks in at .653.

I shoot a .626 ball and a thick blue jean material patch.

Light olive oil patch over 100grns ffg Goex.

It’s still a work in progress..... but I feel confident at close range with it.

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Author Topic: Eratic groups from 16 ga. smoothbore (Read 3600 times)

Flifisher

Flifisher

Flifisher

ddoyle