cayugad

I have been experimenting with a number of different projectiles, trying to find the right load for this rifle, before I do too much sight adjustment. So a couple days ago I got out the GPH and looking over the shelf of projectiles I decided to try the 300 grain Hornady .452 XTP in a black Nosler sabot. And grabbed some Great Plains conicals as well to shoot.

Rifle: Flintlock - Lyman Great Plains Hunter 1-32 twist 32 inch barrel 50 caliber.

Powder: Goex 2f 95 grains worth primer is Goex 4f

Projectile: Hornady XTP .452 300 grain & Hornady Great Plains Conical bullet 385 grain Sabot are black Nosler (I believe these are MMP hph-24)

Distance : 25 yards

Weather: 55 degrees (beautiful out) sunny, light wind


I got trying the heavy conicals and heavier sabot projectiles and found I was having good luck with them. Every one who owns one of these claim they are a powder pig. So once at the range I got out my brass powder measure (could not find my see through in all that stuff) and opened it to what I thought was 100 grains of Goex 2f powder. I loaded up with the Hornady 300 grain XTP. I used a six o'clock hold on the bottom of the bull and let fly. I swabbed and shot two more before checking the target.



I could live with a group like that and it would make a heck of a hunting load. So now I have to consider some sight adjustment in the future. But I decided before I get all carried away, lets shoot more then three...



That is nine or ten shots.. I lost count. But I would call that a group. So I flipped the target upside down and got out some Hornady Great Plains conicals bullet 385 grain.



I swabbed between the first three shots.. they were the lowest. After the third I fired two more without swabbing and they actually hit higher and was making a good group.

Some things I have noticed about the Lyman Great Plains Hunter...

With the agate they supply I have over 60 shots on the thing and it is still going strong. Ignition is very fast in the rifle with the RMC touch hole liner. Also the balance of the rifle is excellent. I would think that the long barrel would be a handicap but I do not find that at all.

Today when I cleaned it, I noticed small pieces of what I suspect to be lead coming up on the patch. Seeing that it has only had 50 conicals through it, I find that strange. So I gave it a JB Bore treatment today, then Montana Xtreme Cowboy solvent. After that I used Bore conditioner in the barrel Even though the barrel by patches indicated it was clean, I was shocked at the stuff the bore conditioner brought up. So much so, that I cleaned the rifle all over again. Then I checked it and it appeared clean. So I used the bore conditioner again on it. This time all was in order.

I guess the next step is to move back to 50 yards, see where it hits, and start some sight adjustment. This is a real pleasure to shoot rifle.


my gear... how do you like that muzzle smoke blower there?


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pluckit

Nice group. I'ld stick with the 300 gr XTP. That should be plenty of lead for knock down power. I have been using the 240 gr XTP but the stupid Bass Pro I went to Monday was sold out. I love XTP's accuracy and knock down power. Is the 300 grain a .45 cal.? The stange thing is, I found out the 240 grain is a .44 cal.. I didn't know that. Most all the prepackaged bullet sabot combo's I've bought don't state the bullet calliber, just the grain weight. So when buying the Thompson Center 240 grain XTP's with the Thompson Center Mag Express sabot I didn't know it was .44 cal. bullet.

cayugad

Yes the 300 grain I was shooting was a .45 caliber. .452 diameter. They make the 240 I believe in .45 caliber as well. I would have to check my projectile shelves. I also like the 250 grain xtp but this rifle likes heavy stuff.

Omega45

Yep Hornady offers a .452 240 grain XTP. They also offer a .430 240 grain XTP. Match either with appropriate sabot and blast away.

flounder33

Looks like it is coming together alright. Never saw a muzzle smokeblower before. Tell me how you are using dat ting.
Art

HuntAway

cayugad,

I wonder if the Hornady GP's require a heavier load to seal up better (obturate?)? They did shoot better on a fouled barrel.



HA

cayugad

The plastic funnel being tapered, goes into the end of the muzzle. The you blow your breath through the plastic tube. By doing this you extinguish any fouling coals and also clear your touch hole easier. If I ever have a doubt about the rifle being loaded, you can see if air will pass through the touch hole also.

When you blow through that, it would surprise you ... the amount of smoke that will come out of a touch hole.

cayugad

Huntaway.. it was another person suggest kicking up the charge to 100 grains for basically the same reason I am guessing. Also they said in there GPH they get better accuracy with 100 to 110 grains of powder. It is something I am going to try, but today it rained and then turned to snow. Its still snowing now.