Yes I size with a Hankins bullet sizer.Those are some mighty fine groups you have shot. Do you have to size or knurl those Pittman bullets for your barrel?
Yes I size with a Hankins bullet sizer.Those are some mighty fine groups you have shot. Do you have to size or knurl those Pittman bullets for your barrel?
Nice gun, very nice set up & great shooting.1st real range day to test powder charges with my new setup. I’m very impressed what this Knight Mountaineer will do so far. Here’s the specs:
Knight 45 Cal 1-20 twist.
Boyd stock with aftermarket cheek piece
Adjusted Timney Trigger
Bestill 2 piece breech plug and firing pin
Murphy SS base
Nightforce 3x15nxs scope
300 grain Pittman Aeromax bullets, wool wad, BH209, Cheddite 209 primers.
105v/82.2gby weight shot a 3 shot group at 100yards in the 0.3’s” and 115V shot a group in 0.55’s”. I will test those charges at 200/300 yards.
As do many of us. 3yrs ago I got into sizing my bullets myself after getting a Lee Challenger single-stage press & a .45 Hankins adj sizing die kit, it opened up a whole new world, a whole new level of muzzleloader shooting possibilities to me. Super cool. NOw I have one in .40 & getting one in .50 too & a hand knurling tool tooYes I size with a Hankins bullet sizer.
how is that challenger press holding up ?As do many of us. 3yrs ago I got into sizing my bullets myself after getting a Lee Challenger single-stage press & a .45 Hankins adj sizing die kit, it opened up a whole new world, a whole new level of muzzleloader shooting possibilities to me. Super cool. NOw I have one in .40 & getting one in .50 too & a hand knurling tool too
I'm very happy with it. It makes sizing bullets easy. I mounted mine to a piece of 2x8 and quick clamp it to my shooting bench. Thats pretty cool.how is that challenger press holding up ?
What, if anything are you swabbing with? Many long range shooters swab with a 50/50 mixture of Hoppe's and 91% alcohol but, only a slightly damp patch, followed by a dry patch. The key is to not saturate patches, which absolutely can cause the issues you're having. Slightly damp only.Shot today at 465 yards and put the first 2 at 4” with not much vertical. I then shot more 2 shot groups and they opened up to 8” and 9.5”
I keep getting inconsistencies swabbing between shots. I am going to try and see if not swabbing between each shot with bh209 will be more consistent.
I have read some rifles don’t like running patches between shots with bh209? Any improvement out there with no patches between shots?
Thanks
Bob........respectfully, 2 shots don't make a "group". You have to shoot at least 5 shots to really get an idea what is happening with the load, rifle, you, etc. At 465 yards wind and mirage will have an effect too. Maybe the 4 inch group was a fluke and the 8-9 inch groups are the norm?? Shoot more and see what the average group size is. XShot today at 465 yards and put the first 2 at 4” with not much vertical. I then shot more 2 shot groups and they opened up to 8” and 9.5”
I keep getting inconsistencies swabbing between shots. I am going to try and see if not swabbing between each shot with bh209 will be more consistent.
I have read some rifles don’t like running patches between shots with bh209? Any improvement out there with no patches between shots?
Thanks
That’s my mixture it is possible that my patch is too saturated I try to ring out the wetness but this is possible. Thank youWhat, if anything are you swabbing with? Many long range shooters swab with a 50/50 mixture of Hoppe's and 91% alcohol but, only a slightly damp patch, followed by a dry patch. The key is to not saturate patches, which absolutely can cause the issues you're having. Slightly damp only.
I understand your reasoning. This is a hunting rifle and care the most about the 1st 2 shots which would mimic a hunting situation. I don’t think those are flukes as I have shot consistently 1.4” to 1.7” groups at 265 yards. I have something else going on here. Thank youBob........respectfully, 2 shots don't make a "group". You have to shoot at least 5 shots to really get an idea what is happening with the load, rifle, you, etc. At 465 yards wind and mirage will have an effect too. Maybe the 4 inch group was a fluke and the 8-9 inch groups are the norm?? Shoot more and see what the average group size is. X
^ThisBob........respectfully, 2 shots don't make a "group". You have to shoot at least 5 shots to really get an idea what is happening with the load, rifle, you, etc. At 465 yards wind and mirage will have an effect too. Maybe the 4 inch group was a fluke and the 8-9 inch groups are the norm?? Shoot more and see what the average group size is. X
I understand your reasoning for wanting to know where your first shot will be. I also understand the two shot mentality. Not trying to stir anything up but anything less than three shots is not a group. Three shots minimum, more is better as others have already said. The reason I believe for a minimum of three shots is you want to triangulate your group to find the center of your group.not from a cold barrel perspective
I care not for shooting long range and do not compete against other guns
my only concern is the very first shot coming out of the barrel
that has worked in my world for over 40 years
It could be. I'm very careful about my swabbing patches. From years of experience, I know that wet patches for swabbing between rounds is a problem.That’s my mixture it is possible that my patch is too saturated I try to ring out the wetness but this is possible. Thank you
I understand your reasoning. This is a hunting rifle and care the most about the 1st 2 shots which would mimic a hunting situation. I don’t think those are flukes as I have shot consistently 1.4” to 1.7” groups at 265 yards. I have something else going on here. Thank you
That is the way I have been doing it since I started shooting all those years agoI understand your reasoning for wanting to know where your first shot will be. I also understand the two shot mentality. Not trying to stir anything up but anything less than three shots is not a group. Three shots minimum, more is better as others have already said. The reason I believe for a minimum of three shots is you want to triangulate your group to find the center of your group.
I’m going to try shooting dirty, this is making sense on these unexplained flyers I’m experienced when this gun wants and has shown me it will shoot.It could be. I'm very careful about my swabbing patches. From years of experience, I know that wet patches for swabbing between rounds is a problem.
Ring them out until nothing drips from them and that still might be too much.
There are some of on the site that do shoot and compete at LONG range, out to 1,000yds, along with hunting. Everyone swabs, but not with wet patches, only slightly damp. You could try using 2 dry patches after swabbing to see if it makes any difference. You might try a veggie wad (.060").
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