surprised at 100

[recurve]

I went to the range and sighted in my kit flint gun 1-66 .50 32 in  with 70 grns swiss 3f .490 ball .020 denim patch mutton tallow ( no wiping needed, patches looked great). no surprise at 25yrds shot high 3 inches and left  1 inch, 2 in same hole 3rd almost touching. I moved to 50 (open sights) high and left, drifted front sight to left , 5 inches high filed rear sight, got to center and 2inches high at 50 . I figured  it would be right on at 75 (range does not have 75 targets) and low at 100. WELL at 100 I missed 4x4 square and figured I was low or pulled to the side, so I put up a 12x10inch target with a 3inch aim point in the center I held high 3/4s up thinking I was low , well the shot went to my aim point slightly left, next I held right on the aim point and hit it .  With  a sight on of 2 inch high at 50 how can it be right on at 100? I know swiss is fast, but  I used my sight formula from my goex days.

[recurve]

[Daryl]

I'd say you are getting fairly good speed from that 70gr. 3F Swiss load.
The ball and patch combo sounds just about right for a decent seal.
Could be your barrel is giving roughly 1,800fps with that load, which according to
the chart, would make the ball zeroed at 100, if 3" high at 50.  If zero'd at 90yards,
it would be about 2.6" high at 50yds & 1" and a bit low at 100, which appears to be
the case with the "one" shot that is on your 100yard target.
I suspect you are actually getting more like 1,750fps and the load is actually some 2" or a bit more low
at 100.
+2" at 50 should put the ball about 2" low at 100, with about an 85yard zero.
Because there is only one aimed centre shot on the 100yard target, ?

[recurve]

1 at 100 open sights (front blade hides most of the target) and getting dark bench no sled.The red dots are 1 inch, I added tape so I could see it at 100 yrds. I didn't plan on 100yrds just want to try it. The grey tape was the point of aim

 here's the same load out of a 36 inch green mnt barrel peepsight/lead sled

[smylee grouch]

You might want to shoot more shots per group to get a better idea before adjusting you sights and determining the best grouping load. Save your targets and record the results so you can go back and compare. JMHO 

[recurve]

I have always had good luck with .50 cals with the above load , a starting place, I wanted to get on target at 50 and work from there. The 100 was  a hale Mary last shot of the day. the shots at 50 were walking the sights(filing,drifting) to get in the ball park . the 25 is 4 shots I though out the flinch(high)2 in same hole, 3rd nearly touching . at 50yrds last 2 cut the near the same hole.

[Don Steele]

You might want to shoot more shots per group to get a better idea before adjusting you sights and determining the best grouping load. Save your targets and record the results so you can go back and compare. JMHO 

Yup.
I'm not good enough to use single shots for regulating sights & loads. I need to see minimum of 3 off a solid rest, that "feel good" when they go off (more better 5) before I feel like I know what to expect before making any changes.

[recurve]

I agree I need another range day/s to confirm zero. ( I like march for range work still cold ,like hunt season But non of the pressures range empty hunting seasons over and cabin fever at it's PEAK !)
I had 14 shots all high and left, 7 at 25  all grouped well and the rest at 50 before I touched the sights , resulting 2 touching 2 inch high and centered above my aim point (giving a dead on hold out to 100, high at 25 , 2 inch high at 50 should be close to right on 75-85 and just low at 100) made me happy with the first outing.  I'll put on a peep/ghost ring to do more in-depth load development then revisit the open sights .   The above has worked with all 7 of my muzzle loaders, 6- .50s all seem happy at or near 70grns 3 f all but 1 with .o2o patch  & 490s(odd ball takes .015 w .490s).
  My 54 105 grns 3f and a buffalo type bullet (fast twist) clover leaves out to 100 when I do my part, with a peep sight but it's a  thumper , funny never felt the recoil when shooting at deer!
(Alison Krauss fan to)- Your a lucky man -because I know what you've done,
                         the Crimson Tide ,  whisky lullaby

[wolf]

i have my 54 cal. southern rifle zeroed at 50yds. with 75gr. of 2f ol eynsford, i shot a deer the other day at what i judged to be 100yds, i held high an missed. i stepped the shot off and it was 93 long steps. i went the next day to my range, outside my cabin, and stepped off 93 steps. shot off my bench as i aimed high. i hit dead where i was aiming! no drop to speak of. i went back a couple of days later and another deer, a doe, came out of the same path, i held dead on, i found her about 70yds into the woods. the shot hit where you see hard quartering, the ball exited the last rib on the other side. i was also surprised at how flat mine shoots. [/img]

[Daryl]

  The above has worked with all 7 of my muzzle loaders, 6- .50s all seem happy at or near 70grns 3 f all but 1 with .o2o patch  & 490s(odd ball takes .015 w .490s).

Interesting combinations, but you have to use what works. In my .50's I have always used a .495" ball, cast of swaged, with a 10 ounce denim patch. I now measure those
with my new calipers, at .021" compressed. The .50, has square rifling, .010" to .012" deep (I haven't measured it exactly). The Beck has Rice's "gun maker's barrel".