- Joined
- Jul 19, 2008
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I've been meaning to post these results for a while now but had to go on travel for work and then other crap took over. Back on 5 July I had the chance to get back down to my hunting cabin and do some shooting. I got down there about 9:30 AM but did not get started shooting until nearly 11:00. Weather started out at around 79 degrees and got into the 90's by the time I was done. One thing for sure - never bring 5 muzzleloaders to shoot in the heat of summer! I am certain the heat had some impact on my shooting as the day went on even though I let the barrel cool down between shots. Range to the target was 80 yds. Shooting that day consisted of the following rifles (in order used):
1. CVA Wolf w/QRBP: Black Thumbhole Stock/Blue Barrel w/Konus Pro 3-9 x 40 scope in a Durasight mount using 270 gr Platinum Powerbelt over 100gr of loose 777 fired by a Winchester primer. Average muzzle velocity was 1693 fps.
2. CVA Optima w/QRBP: Black Stock/Blue Barrel w/Weaver 3-9x40 scope in a Durasight mount the rifle came with using a 240gr XTP (.429 cal) in a Green Harvester Sabot over 90gr of loose Pyrodex fired by a Winchester Primer. Average muzzle velocity was 1687 fps.
3. CVA Wolf w/QRBP: Camo Stock/Blue Barrel w/Redfield Revenge 2-7 x 34 scope in a Durasight mount using a 300gr XTP in a Black Harvester Crush Rib sabot over 2 White Hot pellets.
4. Traditions Pursuit U/L: Reaper Camo Stock/Nickel barrel w/Redfield Revenge 2-7x34 scope in a DNZ mount shooting a 325gr FTX (.458 cal) over 100gr of loose Pyrodex and a Winchester primer.
5. Traditions Pursuit U/L: Black Stock/Cerakote barrel w/Weaver 2-7x scope in Traditions mount shooting a 260gr Scorpion PT in a Crush Rib sabot over 100gr of loose Pyrodex and a Winchester primer.
First up was the Thumbhole Wolf I previously had poor results with when I tried 200 gr bullets but showed some promise with 250 gr Powerbelt Aerolites. Thinking heavier would be better; I decided to try some 270gr Powerbelt Platinums I had over 100gr of loose 777 with a Winchester primer. Range to target this time was 80 yds. Shot 1 wasn’t too bad, a bit high and left so I made an adjustment to the right. Shot two ended up dead center but two inches above the center (I was looking for 1 inch) so I attempted to lower the impact point on shot 3 by adjusting the scope down 5 clicks. After the shot I noticed the impact point had also moved to the right about an inch. Thinking I had flinched on shot 3, I decided to shoot two more without adjusting the Konus Pro scope. Shots 4 and 5 impacted right next to number 3 so I decided it wasn’t me flinching. Adjusting the scope another 5 clicks downward resulted in shots 6-8 landing at the height I wanted but still to the right so I adjusted the scope 5 clicks to the left and ended up with shot 9 which I where I wanted it to hit in the first place! After having success at shot 9, I decided to leave well enough alone and put the rifle up for the day. The rifle was cooled down between each shot so I don’t think heat was the issue. I think the Konus scope, while bright and clear may have issues with windage and elevation adjustments. Scope mount is/was tight so I really think it is an issue with the scope adjustments. If the point of impact remains steady the next time I shoot, I will keep the scope mounted, if not, I have another waiting in the wings.
Weather when I started.
Setup
Target
The second rifle was a Black/Blue Optima that I had not previously sighted in. It sports a Weaver scope (as does its twin) in the Durasight mount that came with the rifle. Shot 1 was about 3 inches to the right of the heart but I was happy with the height. After adjusting the scope to the left, shots 2 through 6 all landed in the heart so I decided not to mess with anything and just leave the scope alone. I am okay with the group as is using this sabot/bullet combo, its not the best I have shot but acceptable at the ranges I typically get a shot at in our swamp/woods (less than 75 yds) but it is possible increasing the charge to 100gr of Pyrodex might tighten the group up some. For grins I decided to load up and shoot one of the .458 caliber 325gr FTX bullets I had; it landed 2 in low and 2 in to the right of where I was aiming. I had planned on shooting a couple more of them but realized I had only brought enough to try in my Traditions rifle.
1. CVA Wolf w/QRBP: Black Thumbhole Stock/Blue Barrel w/Konus Pro 3-9 x 40 scope in a Durasight mount using 270 gr Platinum Powerbelt over 100gr of loose 777 fired by a Winchester primer. Average muzzle velocity was 1693 fps.
2. CVA Optima w/QRBP: Black Stock/Blue Barrel w/Weaver 3-9x40 scope in a Durasight mount the rifle came with using a 240gr XTP (.429 cal) in a Green Harvester Sabot over 90gr of loose Pyrodex fired by a Winchester Primer. Average muzzle velocity was 1687 fps.
3. CVA Wolf w/QRBP: Camo Stock/Blue Barrel w/Redfield Revenge 2-7 x 34 scope in a Durasight mount using a 300gr XTP in a Black Harvester Crush Rib sabot over 2 White Hot pellets.
4. Traditions Pursuit U/L: Reaper Camo Stock/Nickel barrel w/Redfield Revenge 2-7x34 scope in a DNZ mount shooting a 325gr FTX (.458 cal) over 100gr of loose Pyrodex and a Winchester primer.
5. Traditions Pursuit U/L: Black Stock/Cerakote barrel w/Weaver 2-7x scope in Traditions mount shooting a 260gr Scorpion PT in a Crush Rib sabot over 100gr of loose Pyrodex and a Winchester primer.
First up was the Thumbhole Wolf I previously had poor results with when I tried 200 gr bullets but showed some promise with 250 gr Powerbelt Aerolites. Thinking heavier would be better; I decided to try some 270gr Powerbelt Platinums I had over 100gr of loose 777 with a Winchester primer. Range to target this time was 80 yds. Shot 1 wasn’t too bad, a bit high and left so I made an adjustment to the right. Shot two ended up dead center but two inches above the center (I was looking for 1 inch) so I attempted to lower the impact point on shot 3 by adjusting the scope down 5 clicks. After the shot I noticed the impact point had also moved to the right about an inch. Thinking I had flinched on shot 3, I decided to shoot two more without adjusting the Konus Pro scope. Shots 4 and 5 impacted right next to number 3 so I decided it wasn’t me flinching. Adjusting the scope another 5 clicks downward resulted in shots 6-8 landing at the height I wanted but still to the right so I adjusted the scope 5 clicks to the left and ended up with shot 9 which I where I wanted it to hit in the first place! After having success at shot 9, I decided to leave well enough alone and put the rifle up for the day. The rifle was cooled down between each shot so I don’t think heat was the issue. I think the Konus scope, while bright and clear may have issues with windage and elevation adjustments. Scope mount is/was tight so I really think it is an issue with the scope adjustments. If the point of impact remains steady the next time I shoot, I will keep the scope mounted, if not, I have another waiting in the wings.
Weather when I started.
Setup
Target
The second rifle was a Black/Blue Optima that I had not previously sighted in. It sports a Weaver scope (as does its twin) in the Durasight mount that came with the rifle. Shot 1 was about 3 inches to the right of the heart but I was happy with the height. After adjusting the scope to the left, shots 2 through 6 all landed in the heart so I decided not to mess with anything and just leave the scope alone. I am okay with the group as is using this sabot/bullet combo, its not the best I have shot but acceptable at the ranges I typically get a shot at in our swamp/woods (less than 75 yds) but it is possible increasing the charge to 100gr of Pyrodex might tighten the group up some. For grins I decided to load up and shoot one of the .458 caliber 325gr FTX bullets I had; it landed 2 in low and 2 in to the right of where I was aiming. I had planned on shooting a couple more of them but realized I had only brought enough to try in my Traditions rifle.
