November Postal Match

[Daryl]

This month, we'll carry on with the "rest" shooting, benched or cross sticks, prone, whatever, double bagged or not, no matter - however you want, no "machine" rests, please.
Range 50 yards - rifle target - open (hunting-type) sights only.
As well, the competition will be 5 shots per target(page). The Target from page 10 http://www.targetz.com/targets10.htm will be #10142 or orange #10143.
My printer makes the outer ring, almost 7 1/2", barely 1/16" shy.  7 1/2" will be fine.
Matters not how many targets you submit. Only the best "score" counts. 1/2 ball rule applies.

The scoring will be as follows:
centre white - 10 points
1stl bl ring --- 8 points
White ring---- 4 point
Black ring----- 1 point

Total possible 50pts.
Last edit(hopefully): this time, it's accuracy + precision.
LOL - just found some I'd printed off a while ago. They measure 7 3/4" on the outside black.
I suspect it was because I used a different type of file? So - anything from 7 1/2 to 7 3/4".
The difference on the 10 ring, is 1/16".
Do not copy the below target to your desktop then attempt to print it as it will likely come out smaller yet as it did for me.
Upload from the targetz web site - link provided above.

[Daryl]

Taylor and I got out today, not the nicest day, drizzling now and then but fairly warm at 7C (44 1/2F) - The coffee and donuts at Timmy's after was very good.
50 yards rest - .36 Rice bl.  .350" and .360" balls used - spit for lube - all same .021" denim patch (10 ounce) no wiping at any time. Best group/score was the
last target shot, with the .360" ball .021" denim and spit.
The first target on the left, shot with 40gr. 3F GOEX was the second one I shot. The first one, had the fouling shot striking out in the 1 ring, with the rest closer
to the centre, so I did not finish it.
As this is my match, my scores do not count.
Shoot & post as many targets as you want, boys 'n girls. No limit.

[Maven]

Your third target is impressive, Daryl.  I got out today as well with my Ly. 50cal. GPR, which needed a bit of sight adjustment (windage & elevation) and a small increase in my powder charge from 60gr. Graf's/Goex FFg to 65gr. I used a RCBS .490" home cast RB (.492" in fact) + .018 pillow ticking patch lubricated with 1 water : 6 Ballistol.  Percussion caps were Remington #11.  Btw, this isn't my final entry, as I hope to get out tomorrow and try the Lee .495" RB (.497" in fact) with a thinner patch.  As you can see, the 60gr. load @ 1 o'clock was wide, but 65gr. seemed to tighten thing s up.  Also, as we shoot to the SE, glare presents a huge sighting problem.

[Daryl]

Looking pretty good, Paul. That 1 hurt. Might I suggest another 5gr. to 10gr. of
powder?
My .50 Beck surely does better with it, at 50yards. I would also be trying the
.495" ball with the same .018" patch, same lube.  Experimentation is never a
waste of powder and shot.
A lad and his girl friend who used to shoot with us, both used GPR's in flint and
they both shot a 10 ounce patch with a .495" ball with 85gr. 3F.
I tried 75gr. 3F in my .50 but it much preferred 85gr. 2F GOEX, for 50 yards.
I hope you get out & post targets a bunch of times. No limit this month.

[Maven]

Thanks for the powder suggestions Daryl.  I'm going to try another range session today, but my range time will be limited as it will close for deer season on Nov. 20 and I have a few commitments between now and then.

[alacran]

Daryl, I hope to shoot your match this month. Deer hunt coming up this week so probably won't be able to till after the middle of month.

[Maven]

All, I was lucky enough to get to the range again today for the November Frolic.  Here are the particulars of my outing.  The gun was my .50cal. Ly. GPR cap lock in which I used a combination of .490" RB's (.492" in fact, RCBS mould) + .018" pillow ticking patch over 65gr. Graf's/Goex FFg. and .495" RB's (.497" in fact, Lee mould) + .011" patching over 70gr. Graf's FFg.  (Whatever the thinner patching is, other than 100% cotton, it is tough as I've never had one burn through.)  After my first five shots, I noticed the front wedge was backing out.  Removing and swapping it for the rear wedge cured my accuracy issues as you'll see in the photo below.  (I've struggled for years getting the GPR back to the accuracy it's capable of.  Who knew it was as simple as swapping its wedges?)

[PAFlinter]

I'm gonna dust off the cob webs on my 40 and give this a go....

[Daryl]

Well done, Paul; Unfortunate the top ball on target with .497" ball isn't quite 1/2 way in, so it's a 46/50, same as the bottom left target, another 46.
Those 4 - very nice.
Top left target appears to be a 40/50.
Good shooting. The month is young. I fully expect to have several submitted targets with perfect scores.
Ties will be judged by group size.
I might have to try a bit less powder in my rifle, for this close range shooting. 

[Maven]

Thanks, Daryl!

[Seth Isaacson]

Goofed my first and last shots.  I had three targets ready to go, but the wind was picking up and sleet started coming down, so I’ll try to get back out again sometime soon.

I don’t have a proper bench setup, so I was shooting off of a sawhorse from a cross legged seated position. Antique John Krider half-stock back action percussion rifle, .465 round ball, .015 patch lubed with equal parts Murphy’s, alcohol, and water; and 50 grains of GOEX FFF.

[Daryl]

Thanks Seth I. Your middle shots show the potential of your load and you. 
The low shots, it's hard to say, but whatever it was, it was consistent - again, showing the
accuracy of the load, rifle and you.

[Daryl]

Got out again, shot a few targets- not very good, but managed another 46/50 lol.
Tried one small target, still not great. Poor light today - heavy overcast. Weird POImpact
with the OE powder, when increasing from 35gr. to 40 and 45. Top left and top right were
both 45gr. Old Enysford.
I shot the lower left with OE and 35gr. then the lower right with 40gr. OE and notice the POI.
and had to hold 4 o'clock for the other 40 and 45gr. targets, but just couldn't get it together
before the light failed - was getting dark by 3:00 PM.


 

[Yazel.xring]

I struggled a bit on this one, working on getting a load developed for my Kibler, but still had a load of fun. It was a gnarly November morning I won't soon forget. Thanks for hosting this Daryl, I'll keep practicing and do my best next round!


upload
My first group is with 40 grains of 3F GOEX, .395 roundball. Second is 50 grains with the same 3F. I'm thinking 55-60 grains will be my next try, from there some experimentation with ball and patch.

[MuskratMike]

Ethan: My Kibler SMR .40 is by far and away my most accurate of all my flintlocks. I worked long and hard to develop the "perfect" load for mine. I use Hornady .395 balls .012 red striped ticking with a lube of equal parts T.O.T.W. mink and pure neatsfoot oil. For my rifle I found 60 grains of Goex 3F worked the best it may not be the magic for yours but it was for mine. Hopefully I can get out to the range between storms here in Oregon to shoot the postal match. A month ago we still had forest fires and drought conditions now we're under water. Go figure.
How do I get one of those ball caps to wear, would look great in the photos in my Muzzleblast magazine articles.

[Daryl]

Thanks for posting Ethan. Your second target is well on the way to finding what works. a 12 and a 17.
I also need to try more powder. Can't believe I wasn't using enough powder. 

[Yazel.xring]

Ethan: My Kibler SMR .40 is by far and away my most accurate of all my flintlocks. I worked long and hard to develop the "perfect" load for mine. I use Hornady .395 balls .012 red striped ticking with a lube of equal parts T.O.T.W. mink and pure neatsfoot oil. For my rifle I found 60 grains of Goex 3F worked the best it may not be the magic for yours but it was for mine. Hopefully I can get out to the range between storms here in Oregon to shoot the postal match. A month ago we still had forest fires and drought conditions now we're under water. Go figure.
How do I get one of those ball caps to wear, would look great in the photos in my Muzzleblast magazine articles.

Thanks Mike, it’s a fine rifle I’ve been very impressed so far! Hope to get it dialed in before winter but it’ll be a race now.
I have the hats made myself, everything made right here in the USA. Shoot me your address in a PM and I’ll see if I have any left. Need to order more.

Thanks for posting Ethan. Your second target is well on the way to finding what works. a 12 and a 17.
I also need to try more powder. Can't believe I wasn't using enough powder. 

Thanks Daryl! I appreciate the encouragement!!!

[snrub47]

Out to the range today to shoot the monthly match. Nice day, warm, sunny with wind gust from all directions. 36 cal. flint, GM barrel, 25 year old gun with many thousands of round down the barrel. Load was .360 ball, 50gr, Schuetzen 2f, .015 patch. I score both of these targets at 46, one is a much better 46.....  Maybe I will try again when the wind is not so gusty.

[Nessmuck]

That’s a dead squirrel…..nice shootn !

[alacran]

Good shooting!

[Daryl]

Good shooting snrub47-I see/score a pair of 46's as well.

[Mule Brain]

Ethan, looks like filing some off that front sight is in order 

[Yazel.xring]

Ethan, looks like filing some off that front sight is in order

Hoping to over the holiday weekend

[smylee grouch]

Ethan, I wouldnt do any filing until you have your optimum load worked/figured out. 

[Daryl]

Still lots of time for some perfect scores. Target, btw are much easier to measure for group IF they are single targets per picture, not
3 or 4 targets in one picture.
As noted above, ties will be judged by group size. The smaller group wins, thus I have to upload the targets and expand/contract to get
equal sized targets.  I've done this with the "ties" thus far & I think you would likely want to know how the "contest" is going.
Mavin aka Paul Brasky is ahead by a .166", with both targets adjusted to 6" wide.  This was necessary (on my computer) due to the multiple target posting
in a single picture.