EQUIPMENT
TVM Early Virginia
Rice 42” B-weight swamped barrel
.45cal x 1:66” x .016” round bottom grooves
Chambers Deluxe Siler
Davis DST
SHOOTING PARTICULARS
Cleaned / dried / lubed the bore after every shot
Pact Pro MK5 Chronograph at 15 feet
Goex 3F powder
.022” OxYoke precut/prelubed patches
Hornady .440 balls
5 shot group average velocity rounded off to nearest 5 fps
70grns = 1535 fps
80grns = 1710 fps
90grns = 1810 fps
100grns = 1865 fps
110grns = 1960 fps
I never understand the occasional non-linear size step from one powder increment to the next…like the one from 90 to 100grns…but have seen similar odd steps in other rifles over the years…and repeating the group today gave the same kind of step result.
Was also impressed to see velocity continue to climb in this long, slow twist barrel and the 110grn charge actually had a couple shots in the string break 2000 fps.
Felt no difference in recoil trying 100 / 110grn charges…hefty, accurate rifle, a pleasure to shoot.
NOTE: 110grn charge makes an audible ‘crack’ sound…next range trip I’ll check it for accuracy.
If it’s as accurate (or more so) than 90grns, I’ll just use 110 for my deer load instead of 90.