Just to add more info re the bullet rifle...I was using barylium vent liners. I bought a half doz of them and thought that would do. Interestingly, I shot the 300 and 400 yd match with the same liner.
2 sighters and then 10 for score. At 600, 1/2 through, I noticed the velocity variation. It is not great mid string, to score a 9 or 8 and have the next shot drop to the bottom of the board, then the next just barely scoring etc. Too late to change . At 800, 900, and 1000 I changed liners each target. I came to believe that 12 shots was about it for accuracy with those liners. You really need a sturdy shield to protect the poor guy to the right of you when shooting this gun from prone at these matches!
Overall, I was surprised at the accuracy that I got. With so many variables, it was very tiring shooting a day long course. With my Sharps, I can settle into a nice solid position, and sometimes get off my entire string as fast as the markers can raise the target, if the coditions are good. Getting up to load, then getting back into shooting postion is tiring in itself. Adding the flint/ pan maintenace, and the priming and ...you get the idea. A 1/2 hour is not a lot of time for 12 shots.
Now, my round ball flinters have not had problems with opening group sizes, etc due to vent deteriation
and that is after in excess of a thousand rounds. If it is there, it must be slight, cause I can't see it
in my targets. Come to think of it, this might have something to do with my .36 losing its liking
for FFFg and and striking up an affection for FFg. Maybe I should try changing the vent liner!