Groups size

[Hickok]

Whay group size do you all shoot at 50 and 100 yards from a bench rest with your tuned up .58 caliber rifles?

I have an Armi-Sport 3 band Enfield that I have been shooting since about 1985. I glass bedded it from front to rear, the trigger is tuned to let off at 3 1/2 pounds, the bore is still excellent, front sight replaced with a taller one and zeroed. The bore diameter of the lands is a little large at .583" and twist is 1/48. I cast and shoot a Parker Hale 565 Minie that I cast myself, sized to .575" and paper patched to .582". (I realize you are not allowed paper patch bullets in competition), but I have to paper patch the Minie to get the diameter up to fit the barrel. Load is 50 gr. 3f Goex and is weighed, lube is SPG.

The Enfield consistantly groups 5 shot @ 50 yds. into 1.5-2.0 inches bench rested and 4 inches @100 yds for 5 shots of the benchrest. Is this good and about par for a good shooting rifle musket? I know some of you probably have some real tack drivers for competition, just wanting to see if I am on the right track. I may try to "Beagle" my mould to get more bullet diameter to do away with the paper patching. Also contacted Pat Kabosky and he can supply with the PH Minie sized to .582".

In the future I would like have the barrel relined to .577" but have hold off for awhile due to other projects.

[Hickok]

19211922 50 yards/Bench rest

[Maillemaker]

Here are my current best results shooting my Euroarms P53 with Whitacre barrel off a bench:

http://imgur.com/a/FCCRX

I'm shooting an average group size at 100 yards of 3.83 inches, and at 50 yards 3.38 inches.

I am shooting an RCBS-Hogdgon bullet sized to .576 with 46 grains of 3F Shuetzen.

Steve

[Jim Barber]

What kind of lube are you using? It can make a big difference.

Jim

[Jim Barber]

I must be half blind. SPG lube. Sorry bout that!

[Mike Stein]

Silly MS/IE won't allow me to create a proper paragraph break so I put it in the title.
Here are my current best results shooting my Euroarms P53 with Whitacre barrel off a bench:

http://imgur.com/a/cVtSs

I'm shooting an average group size at 100 yards of 3.83 inches, and at 50 yards 3.38 inches.

I am shooting an RCBS-Hogdgon bullet sized to .576 with 46 grains of 3F Shuetzen.

Steve

[Edwin Flint]

Should be for both 50 and 100 yards one hole groups. 1" or less rested @ 50 yards 1.3-2" @100.

I have seen 5 shot free hand groups this size shot in competition. SEEN not done by me!!!!:D;)

[Maillemaker]

Thanks Mike, I fixed it. Making my camcorder talk to my PC is yet another battle I am waging. :)

Steve

[Hickok]

Thanks for the replies. Now I know I am in the ballpark! I have been trying to talk myself "into/out of" getting my barrel relined. My P-H mold throws bullets as cast at .577", so a .577" relined barrel would be perfect, sizing the bullet to .576. Sure would be alot more convenient.

.577 Enfield has a nice ring to it!

[Lou Lou Lou]

A larger mould would be cheaper than a reline

[ian45662]

1928 5 shots 50 yards off hand. This was done at my home range at practice. No way I could do that at a skirmish. 1" @ 50 is probably what ya wanna go for off of a rest

[jonk]

Given that twist rate, a lighter bullet would be a good idea; look up Moose molds and their 315 gr semi wadcutter; it is available in .582" which would be just right for your needs.

[Hickok]

Yep, that P-H Minie is pretty heavy. Off the bench after shooting awhile, it starts to give me a pretty good "thump!"

A funny story from "Civil War Guns" by William B. Edwards.

It seems Christopher Spencer was demonstrating his Spencer rifle to Pres. Lincoln with the usual small groups of spectators. One man said, "It wouldn't do, too much powder. A good piece of audience (ordinance) should not rekyle (recoil), if it did, it should rekyle (recoil) a little forrid (forward)".

That man was trying to invent the first "rekyless" rifle!:D

[Maillemaker]

Man, I'm going to have to look into my lube or something.

I've been tinkering with bullets and loads for 2 years and the best I can do is about a 2.5" group at 50 yards off a bench.

I'm using a beeswax/crisco lube right now.

Steve

[jim2622]

all my guns shoot thru the same hole ....the hole at the end of the barrel...in truth, 4inches at 100yds. aint bad....i'm sure if we could mount scopes, that would improve more than a little, but with iron sights & old eyes & slowing reactions 4inches will do!