DocBob said:
OK, I have my bullets (conicals), pre-measured powder (777 FFg), wads, cleaning supplies (???), etc, etc, etc. I'm finally off to the range to see what my gun gets along with best!!!
How do you all like to proceed???
How many shots/charge?
How many different charges/bullet type?
How often to clean and with what?
How cool should the barrel be before the next shot?
I'm working up a conical load in the 400+ grain range for Colorado Elk. What distance would you recommend I zero at? (100, 125, 150 yds?)
If this topic has been hashed out previously, please feel free to point me to the thread...My search didn't yeild very good results
Thanks in advance.
Bob
Since you're starting from scratch, I start at 25 yards. I shoot three shot groups to discover which conical will group the best. at that range they hits should be very close if not touching.
The with a starting powder charge (70 grains of 3f powder for me) I then start pushing more powder to the conical and see how hard I can push it before the accuracy falls off. Also remember to use wads and try without them as well.
Once I have my conical accurate, and pushed as hard as I want.. (those big conicals only need no more then 100 grains of powder IMO) I then move the target back to 35 yards and shoot a group. That group as well should be very good. Since your shooting iron sights, be sure to try and hold the same sight picture. That is the biggest reason groups fall apart. The further back we get the less we can see the sight picture.
Now move to 50 yards, 75 yards, and so fourth.... When you reach a distance where you can not hold a group that YOU are comfortable to shoot at game with, that should be your max.
How often you clean/swab would depend on the rifle. My Whites for instance will shoot fowled just fine. My Black Diamond XR will also shoot fowled. But my Knight has to be swabbed.
Like said, conicals will heat up the barrel but not as bad as sabots IMO. Still, after you shoot, set the rifle down, swab the barrel if you like, take a walk to the target and study the hit. Make a note of anything you might have done wrong or right. This is a good time to sit and think about how you shot and what your rifle is doing. Now load it again, and go ahead and shoot.
After five shots, I like to set the rifle off to the side and let it cool in the shade if possible. I then like to rest myself a little and really examine how I am doing.
I am sure it will all come together. A 400 + grain conical with a good powder charge should be bad elk medicine.