1st Group- Kibler .54

[Oil Derek]

Promising! This after fouling shot (3.5" left). Proper 2nd 5 shot group was .1" bigger but with different power charge and patch thickness.

Considering the sights were "fuzzy" I think it is a shooter!

[Daniel Coats]

That'll work 👍

Nice group!

[Daryl]

Keep working on it. It's good for a first target. You rifle should do that (or better) at 50yards.
I measured the oxyoke .018" patches at .015". I didn't have any of their .020"s so do not know
 what they measure for me.
I would think a .54 Rice barrel should start shooting well at about 75 to 85gr. Swiss 2F - at longer ranges.

[Frank]

Was this with the standard flat bottom rifling or the round bottom rifling?

[Oil Derek]

Was this with the standard flat bottom rifling or the round bottom rifling?

Frank, it is square/flat cut .

[Oil Derek]

Trying again as system just ate my last post!

Thanks Daniel & Dayrl.

Lots of variables to keep after in developing a load but perhaps the most costly one, that I can't control, is my detrimental eye sight.

Dayrl, the Ox-Yoke dry lube patching is spot on at .020" but under compression it measures .016". I used your WWWF formula soaking wet- I call it Smurf Spit. Only recovered a few patches as the snow had burned off and a brisk crosswind didn't help. They looked fine.

This 2nd target isn't as good. I changed to 70 gr. Swiss FF and used duck patching (Jo-Anns) which measures .023 under hard compression of my calipers.

I realize that only 10 shots and 2 targets don't speak authoritatively. For the first go, I am reasonably pleased.

[smylee grouch]

You might consider giving the crown a nice smooth polish and go up in ball size to 535 with the same .023 patch.

[Oil Derek]

You might consider giving the crown a nice smooth polish and go up in ball size to 535 with the same .023 patch.

Smylee, the muzzle was "coned" by the builder and the .016" patched .530" RB can be thumb started flush into the muzzle ... just barely. The rifling is very crisp and visible about .045" in from the muzzle. I could not do that with the .023" patched ball. In fact, I had to use a short starter and SS range rod to to drive that combo. The first load I could thumb start and then use the hickory rod to seat the ball. I do have and will play with .535" RB too.

[Bob McBride]

Nice group at 35y. That’s where 90% of my deer shots are. Heart shot every time here on the farm. I’d go out to 75 And shoot all possible combos to see what the best possible is but if that’s your range it’s a great group.

[Daryl]

#4 shot is out of the 1" group. IT happens. This is much more promising than the soft-ball group, to me.
Interesting on the .016" measurement. Seems some of their .018" got labeled .020".
A square bottomed Rice barrel should do well with the .023" patching.
For hunting, you need to use and sight for an oil or grease.

[Oil Derek]

Thanks Bob. Make shift bench at make shift range at the farm. I actually shot from inside the Line shack out left side Dutch doors. At least I didn't have to endure the wind with the wood stove burning! As the Brits would say, I'll go to a "proper" range and dope it out at 75-100 yards at some point. For now I'm looking for a ragged hole group at 35 yards.

[Oil Derek]

Interesting on the .016" measurement. Seems some of their .018" got labeled .020".
For hunting, you need to use and sight for an oil or grease.

Just to be clear, the Ox-Yoke patches were marked as .020" and do measure .020" under normal use of calipers. But they measure .016" with as much pressure as I can exert with said calipers. Likewise, the duck measures .027"/.023".

I have 100% Neatsfoot oil and a tin of mink oil for developing a hunting load. Both thanks to you ... much obliged.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Don’t tell but I’ve been using store-bough Ox-Yoke “piller tickin” patches lately and I’ve found them quite good. Track sells the nude ones for $3 and change for 100.

It’s advertised as 0.18” but with a tightly compressed calipers (how I was taught to measure patching) it mikes at about 0.15” or so. Works well for me.