cayugad

Today was 2ºs with a windchill of -15 to -25 degrees, but it was not snowing. The wind was blowing out of the north, and it was COLD!!!

I wanted to shoot my 21" Green Mountain Long Range Hunter Barrel with the 1-28 twist. This is a flintlock barrel mounted in my T/C Hawkins Rifle. I swabbed between all shots with pure isopropyl alcohol. I loaded 90 grains of Goex 3f and a .430 300 grain XTP in a Harvester Crushed Rib Sabot.

I fired shot #1 and wondered why it was so far to the left. Checking the rear sight I noticed it was not centered exactly. So I centered the rear sight. I then shot #2-#5 and was more then pleased with the accuracy of the rifle so far. To then check if it was me or the sights, I adjusted my POA and fired #6 & #7. About this time, my camera battery went dead.

I then decided to try some .503 460 grain Bull Shop Conicals. I loaded 70 grains of Goex 3f without a wad. I fired three of them. And they grouped well. I would have shot more but could no longer feel my toes and fingers so I decided to call it a day and wait for better weather.

Over all I think this barrel will be a good one. With 90 grains of powder there is no recoil, but then I had on a Parka to stay warm.

sabotloader

cayugad

Just can not knock those GM barrels... they all seem to shoot...

But 2 degrees with that wind chill.... i donotknow bout that...

cayugad

you of all people should be used to temps like that living where you do..

sabotloader

cayugad

Na! it is pretty decent here today.. 10 degrees 14 to 18" of snow here in town but at the rock pit there has to be 3 or 4 feet. But the good thing the sun is out and no wind.

I really want to get out and shoot this new Z5 - but it looks like it is going to be awhile...

Dave have you ever shot NE 54 cal conicals from any your sidelocks. They are heavy 535 grains - but I can not get those 54 cal bullshops to shoot real well. I am hoping these longer NE's might work better. I know a 1/48 is suppose to like shorter bullets - but I want to give them a try...

cayugad

I tried some of Dan's in my 1-48 twist .54 calibers and they did not do very well for some reason. Perhaps I had a bad powder charge, but they would not group. And I tried them in four different rifles.

wabi

Looks like it's doing good for a new barrel.
You may have found a barrel that's not too picky about what it likes.

I was going to shoot a CVA inline I picked up a while backin a trade, but the temps just below freezing scared me off today. Actually, the old shelter I had put over the shooting bench got destroyed in a storm this winter and I didn't want to set on a wet (frozen) seat. [:@]I did go pick up some new #11 & musket caps today, so I did get something accomplished as far as muzzleloader shooting. [8D]

cayugad

50 yards looks like a long way out there don't it.

Its only the first time I was out with this barrel but I am very pleased so far. I kind of thought that since my other GMB LRH barrels shot the 300 grain .430 XTP so well with a strong charge, this one might be the same. So with that short barrel I guessed 100 grains and then looked at the measure that was set to 90 and figured... 3f powder.

Next time I want to try some 2f powder and a few other projectiles. Normally the cold does not bother me, but I have to admit today I was cold. I had icicles forming on the moustache and my fingers were actually starting to hurt. Wearing gloves was OK, except when swabbing and loading, so maybe when it gets warmer. I have a lot of things to try out of this rifle. It would make an excellent tree stand rifle or a stalking rifle with that short barrel...

thumper50

Potential, Potential, Potential!!! Nice start with the new bbl. sure is pretty there, with the snow in the evergreens!! Glad you let me know about the $ of those bbls, can't wait to try my new perc. 21in bbl. should be in the next couple weeks!!

yeoman

Nice shooting there Cayugad! Those .430 XTP's w/crushed rib are a bit too easy to load in my GM barrel.. The groups seem to tighten a bit with the Hornady green sabots for me. Not much room for you to tighten #2-5 there though. Good, cold, shootin'.

bronko22000

Good shooting Cayugad. I'd really like to see a pic of that rifle with the 21" barrel. Sounds like just the thing I could use in the thick stuff I hunt.