200 yd round ball load

[45-110]

I have been trying to develop a reasonable 200 yd. load in my .54 cal. Dimick plains rifle with a 1-60" twist. A 24" group is where I am currently at. Even though for the last 2 yrs I have won our gong match, its nothing to brag about. Shooting 90 gr. OE 1 1/2 powder, have tried .530, .535 balls and various duck patching. Fired patches look good.  So I am wiling to try a felt wad under ball next. If you have had some success with this combo, what thickness of felt, and is it lubed? Sure would like to get at least a 12" group. I have a globe front and adjustable plains style rear sight and have no problem seeing the target while on the bench.
thanks
KW

[smylee grouch]

Have you tried more powder, like 100 gr?

[hudson]

I use 110 gr. Goex 2F at 200 yards a proven load from the bench. My barrel 1 in 70 twist with a 60 twist it will probably be too much thinking that 100gr. sounds good. You might find a patch problem with the heaver load. If so try army duct canvas. It may require a smaller ball. With one or two rifles I have had good luck with a lubed felt wad.

[Sandro_ventania]

use cornmeal over the powder and for 200 yards, I would increase the load.

[Daniel Coats]

Shoot her in the mile Kenny!

[Habu]

I'm with Smylee Grouch: increase your powder charge.  I've done a fair amount of round ball shooting at 200 yards, mostly with rifles in the .48-.54 caliber range.  I tend to get best results when the load gives a muzzle velocity of 1,800-1,900 fps, no matter if the twist is 1:44 or 1:70, or anything in between. 

[A Scanlan]

A fellow shooter and I have toyed with 200 yards.  He shoots a 54 and I shoot a 50.  I think we were both using 80 gr of 3f and probably .018 patch.  My conclusion is that there are so many factors going into that exercise it was almost impossible to get a good group given the effort we were putting into it....which was "not much".  My first conclusion is getting a handle on the drop regardless of the charge and what was the point of aim.  We positioned a marker over the target and my best shots happened when I was actually not able to see the target but rather with a point of aim about 18 inches OVER the center of the target.  BTW, there were no adjustments to the sights.

So, I'm still a bad shot even at 50 yards!

[45-110]

Ok, on my next range session I will try 110 gr. 1 1/2f and see what happens. Will also try that with 2f.
thanks
kw......Daniel not "Kenny"!

[recurve]

not 54 but 50 might help

[smylee grouch]

Several years ago when I could see out of both eyes I shot light bench and unlimited bench with a light bench gun. 52 cal shooting a 530 ball with 20\1000 Teflon patch. 95 gr of 1&1\2 swiss. I could keep all shots in the black at 50 all day. At 100 I could keep them in the scoring rings . when shooting at 200 I had to go up to 150 or more grains if I wanted to compete with " the big boys " .

[A Scanlan]

Strikes me the focus should be on what type sights one is using.  An adjustable rear sight can prove accurate at just about any charge/patch combo.  But I'm still a bad shoot.

[smylee grouch]

A good adjustable sight will bring a group to a desired point but I'm thinking a good group is the first objective then we move the sights.   

[45-110]

A good adjustable sight will bring a group to a desired point but I'm thinking a good group is the first objective then we move the sights.   

Yessir the group first then fiddle with the sights, at least I have a 5 step elevator on the rear.
My group is centered, but is a 24 inch shotgun pattern

[Daryl]

IMHO, you need a tighter combination and more powder.
I would suggest something between 100gr. and 130gr. will answer for you.
If it was my rifle  I'd be trying between 110 and 120gr.
2F.  If using Swiss powder, then somewhere between 105 and 115gr.

[45-110]

I tested 115 gr of 1 1/2 and 2f today in this .54, no improvement in group size. I found some blown duck patches. So next session I will try a lubed felt wads under the patch. Thickest felt I have to cut is 3/16".
kw

[Daryl]

Blown patches means either getting cut at the muzzle and blowing with heavier (higher pressure loads) or patch too thin for that pressure.

[Sandro_ventania]

I tested 115 gr of 1 1/2 and 2f today in this .54, no improvement in group size. I found some blown duck patches. So next session I will try a lubed felt wads under the patch. Thickest felt I have to cut is 3/16".
kw

Use cornmeal.

[45-110]

I tested 115 gr of 1 1/2 and 2f today in this .54, no improvement in group size. I found some blown duck patches. So next session I will try a lubed felt wads under the patch. Thickest felt I have to cut is 3/16".
kw

Use cornmeal.

Yes corn meal is next after the felt trial, but that is a royal pain. My .535 ball and .020" duck if a tough load. I pulled a practice dry ball to check muzzle cuts on patch, there where none.

[Daryl]

Round bottom rifling?
If so, needs heavier patch.

[45-110]

Round bottom rifling?
If so, needs heavier patch.

No it is flat/square groove rifling. Made up some mink oil lubed felt wads for next test.
kw

[Justin Urbantas]

Over powder cards for a 28 gauge would probably help a lot between the powder and patch.

[recurve]

this is how he keeps from blowing patches

[45-110]

F it, I give up trying to help those struggling. Obviously loose combination proponents have a better solution.
Might be the beer speaking out of frustration. #@!! $#@*.
#$!?

Daryl if this is directed at me the OP,  let it be known the .535 ball and .020 cotton duck is just short of needing a mallet to start the ball. This Barrel has a .538 bore. so the combo is not a loose one.

[alacran]

After reading Daryl's last post and your response, maybe that a 24-inch group at 200 yards is the best that you are going to get with that rifle.
Even though you can see the target, open iron sights are prone to give you sighting errors.
I am with Daryl on using more powder.
But I would start by first finding a load in the 120 to 135 grain range of 2f that groups well at 50 yards and 100 yards, before I would waste powder, lead and time at 200 yards.
If you can't find a high velocity load that gives you tight groups at 100 yards, you definitely won't find it at 200.
No beer influence in this post.

[smylee grouch]

Well said.  Most good shooting at 200 is done with good groups shot with good sights and consistent shooting techniques.