Trying to get a group?

[David R. Pennington]

Has anyone ever experienced this? I have a new rifle and first time out trying to work up load at the range I got these results. With 55 grains fffg .440 round ball in a 48" .45 barrel I would get the first three shots in same hole and then fourth one was out of the group? I repeated this a couple times and thought maybe I was just getting tired. Haven't gotten a chance to go back yet but it has me thinking.

[bob in the woods]

Fouling ?   Lube or patch failure ?   Cast balls with voids ?   The possibilities are almost endless .

[redheart]

The best thing to do with a rifle like this is to shoot 3 shots and then pack up and go home.
I find most game doesn't stand still for more than 3 shots anyway.

[smylee grouch]

Shoot a 10 shot group and discount the flyer. We like to shoot any way. Only change one variable at a time and shoot lots a shots so you don't use flyers as your group.

[Roger B]

I'm betting on fouling.  With increased fouling comes increased pressure, and thus, increased velocity.  Try cleaning between shots for a while and see what happens  And make sure you check your patches.  You might be blowing your third patch for the same reason.
Roger B.

[David R. Pennington]

Thanks for some input guys, When it warms up a bit I will give her another try.

[little joe]

Possibly you are like me. Many times I have shot 4, 10s and some x,s and the 5th shot will be a 9. Cannot take the pressure. Could be we need more practice.

[retired fella]

Little Joe,

I would be happy with a 49 and some x's     

[little joe]

With a .440 ball in a 45 cal you will most likely need a heavy patch. 55 grains is a good starting place. If your patches are virtually reuseable the patches are good. Practice is all I have at this time.

[Frank]

I am thinking you may need a thicker patch. I had erratic groups out of my 45 with a 440 ball and a .015 patch and 50 grains of FFF. Went to a .020 patch and things tightened considerably plus I had less fouling. Could cover a 10 shot group with a quarter.

[Daryl]

IT happens to many of us.  If not, then why the 2 flyers in this otherwise decent group?

You didn't mention the range. This "group" was fired at 60 yard, from a rest, holding the rifle with both hands.
Funny thing is, you can see all 5 ball cuts  (1,2,3,6& 7) around the outside of the "hole".

[little joe]

Daryl What you are doing wrong is not tapping ft. sight for windage  and then cut that top part off

[Daryl]

LOL - that's a good one, little joe. Of course if I cut the top off the target under that #5 hole, the writing would also be gone. I could then turn the target 90 degrees left, cut off the same mount off the right side, call it a 6'0clock hold and re-write the data, maybe even call it a 100 yard group. LOL.

[Turtle]

 Many times shooting all kinds of groups, and after 3 or four in a nice group I decide to shoot JUST ONE MORE----big mistake! Now i try to quit when I'm ahead.

[smallpatch]

David,
Check your patches.  That should tell the story.

[Darkhorse]

First thing I'd work on is your shooting form and setup on the bench. A flintlock will want to move due to the mass of the parts, the heavier the mainspring the more movement. Add set triggers and it just gets worse due to the nature of how a lock with set triggers operates. To work this out, with an unloaded rifle but with the flint installed, get set up and take good aim then pull the trigger. Where is the front sight now? If it has moved at all your setup still needs some work. In order to shoot really good groups the front sight must stay glued to the bull.
I have a couple of targets here that were shot "free recoil" meaning the rifle was set up as normal but the right arm (I'm a lefthanded shooter) was folded under the butt and never touched the rifle at all. The rifle was held firm by the left hand and every effort made to keep the front sight on target.  I have been working on this and can tell you most of my shots are to the left with the group opening up.
The single Squirrel target was shot with the same setup. However the right hand was grasping the stock and controlling it's movement. The group is now back to the center.
Just one example of how form and setup can effect your results.

[Flint62Smoothie]

When you get 2 distinct groups whilst shooting, that is typical of your stance or position throwing out those errant shots. Try to mount the arm in the same way, watch your head position; length of pull could be too long.

[OldMtnMan]

The best thing to do with a rifle like this is to shoot 3 shots and then pack up and go home.
I find most game doesn't stand still for more than 3 shots anyway.

I would have posted a post like this. Thanks for saving me the trouble. Some think we're nuts, but we're just having fun. Guns should be fun. Some get way too serious about all of it.

[David R. Pennington]

I liked that one too

[Sharpsman]

The best thing to do with a rifle like this is to shoot 3 shots and then pack up and go home.
I find most game doesn't stand still for more than 3 shots anyway.

 

[Daryl]

Shot the trail today, 6 of us, 3 flintlock 20 bore smoothies, 1 flint rifle and 2 cap lock rifles, so - 3x3. 

Hit some, miss some. Indeed, hit most of the long shots, over 75 yards with the 20 bore Hunkeler.









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