First time shooting the gun today. CVA Optima V2 with a Burris Fullfield E1 scope. First time with a ML, third time with any kind of rifle.
I shot three different kinds of bullets, with two different loads. All 50 yards to get started.
Two shots WInchester 209 primer to foul the barrel.
First shots: Powerbelt Aerotip .50 250g, White Hot pellets 100g, Federal 209A primer. 1.5" group. 10 MOA low, 1 MOA left. I adjusted the scope, but I think I may have done windage in the wrong direction.
Second shots: Hornady SST .50 250g, Pyrodex pellets 100g, WInchester 209 primer. Bigger group, but I know I screwed up one shot that was would make the group 3.5". Not counting that, a 1.5" group, further left, but nearer center vertically. I didn't make any more scope adjustments though.
Third shots: TC Shockwave .50 250g, Pyrodex pellets 100g, Winchester 209 primer. Best group yet. 3/4". Then I shot one more Powerbelt before I had to leave, just to check against the first group.
One wet patch and one dry patch after each shot, except two wet patches after my mistake... see below.
A couple of observations. Powerbelts loaded pretty easy. Hornady SST were hard, and TC Shockwaves/Pyrodex were the hardest to load, but appear to have more energy than the Powerbelts/White Hots... At least that's my conclusion so far seeing that they are 4 MOA higher at 50 yards. Is that a reasonable conclusion?
I made one important mistake that I should never make again. I loaded, pushed the bullet down about 4 inches with the bullet started, and then for whatever reason (?) did not seat the bullet with the rod. It sounded different upon firing and I knew I did something wrong. Removed the breech and checked the barrel to make sure it was clear, and it was. Halfway unscrewing the breech I paused thinking what if the pellets had not fully ignited, but then continued some seconds later.
All in all, very pleased with the first session. Looking forward to many more to continue to sight in the scope, go out to 100 yards, and narrow down to a load I'll hunt with.
-Howie
I shot three different kinds of bullets, with two different loads. All 50 yards to get started.
Two shots WInchester 209 primer to foul the barrel.
First shots: Powerbelt Aerotip .50 250g, White Hot pellets 100g, Federal 209A primer. 1.5" group. 10 MOA low, 1 MOA left. I adjusted the scope, but I think I may have done windage in the wrong direction.
Second shots: Hornady SST .50 250g, Pyrodex pellets 100g, WInchester 209 primer. Bigger group, but I know I screwed up one shot that was would make the group 3.5". Not counting that, a 1.5" group, further left, but nearer center vertically. I didn't make any more scope adjustments though.
Third shots: TC Shockwave .50 250g, Pyrodex pellets 100g, Winchester 209 primer. Best group yet. 3/4". Then I shot one more Powerbelt before I had to leave, just to check against the first group.
One wet patch and one dry patch after each shot, except two wet patches after my mistake... see below.
A couple of observations. Powerbelts loaded pretty easy. Hornady SST were hard, and TC Shockwaves/Pyrodex were the hardest to load, but appear to have more energy than the Powerbelts/White Hots... At least that's my conclusion so far seeing that they are 4 MOA higher at 50 yards. Is that a reasonable conclusion?
I made one important mistake that I should never make again. I loaded, pushed the bullet down about 4 inches with the bullet started, and then for whatever reason (?) did not seat the bullet with the rod. It sounded different upon firing and I knew I did something wrong. Removed the breech and checked the barrel to make sure it was clear, and it was. Halfway unscrewing the breech I paused thinking what if the pellets had not fully ignited, but then continued some seconds later.
All in all, very pleased with the first session. Looking forward to many more to continue to sight in the scope, go out to 100 yards, and narrow down to a load I'll hunt with.
-Howie