Eterry
03-16-2014, 02:57 PM
I posted this on the muzzleloader forum but not many minie ball shooters there so I'm gonna repost it here, with a couple additions.
First, I learned my bore is around .577/.578, and wasn't getting the accuracy from the Lee .575 minie. I read on Lee's site you can shim the mold with some greased paper; just like we used to shim rod bearings on motors with a blank check. I did and now my 500gr minies run around .5775, and when lubed are a snug fit in the bore.
Second, I noticed when replacing my barrel in the stock if I tighten the thru bolt the barrel lifts out of the barrel channel several inches at the muzzle, which tells me the barrel is under a lot of strain if I band it then snug the thru bolt. So I tightened the bolt until the barrel started to come off the channel, then stopped and installed the bands.
I gathered some 3Fg, Lee 500 grain minies and headed for my Dad's place where we have a backstop and bench at 75 yards. I have gotten some advice on tweaking the rifle, like using consistent ramrod pressure, and tried 45 to 60 grs in 5 grain increments.
The best load was 60grs 3Fg, Crisco lube, and the Lee minie. The trigger was crisp but still heavy, over 8lbs, but I took my time and shot a 2.3" group at 75 yards. That computes to slightly over 3MOA, which is damn better than before.
Oh, another thing, with 60gr of 3fg the rifle hit dead on for elevation, and only 3 inches left of hold. I think this rifle responds like a handgun; slower loads with same bullet print higher.
I took the rifle home and got serious about polishing the sear spring, now the trigger is hovering at the 5lb mark. I filed the rear sight notch a little to move POI to the right, and will probably epoxy the sight notch.
I should figure out how to post pictures so you guys can see what I'm working with.
I still want to get some felt wads and try the REAL bullets again; they are a little lighter and will use less lead.
Do you think I should gently bend the tang a little so the barrel isn't under so much strain when the bolt is snug? This concerns me as far as accuracy is concerned.
Eterry
First, I learned my bore is around .577/.578, and wasn't getting the accuracy from the Lee .575 minie. I read on Lee's site you can shim the mold with some greased paper; just like we used to shim rod bearings on motors with a blank check. I did and now my 500gr minies run around .5775, and when lubed are a snug fit in the bore.
Second, I noticed when replacing my barrel in the stock if I tighten the thru bolt the barrel lifts out of the barrel channel several inches at the muzzle, which tells me the barrel is under a lot of strain if I band it then snug the thru bolt. So I tightened the bolt until the barrel started to come off the channel, then stopped and installed the bands.
I gathered some 3Fg, Lee 500 grain minies and headed for my Dad's place where we have a backstop and bench at 75 yards. I have gotten some advice on tweaking the rifle, like using consistent ramrod pressure, and tried 45 to 60 grs in 5 grain increments.
The best load was 60grs 3Fg, Crisco lube, and the Lee minie. The trigger was crisp but still heavy, over 8lbs, but I took my time and shot a 2.3" group at 75 yards. That computes to slightly over 3MOA, which is damn better than before.
Oh, another thing, with 60gr of 3fg the rifle hit dead on for elevation, and only 3 inches left of hold. I think this rifle responds like a handgun; slower loads with same bullet print higher.
I took the rifle home and got serious about polishing the sear spring, now the trigger is hovering at the 5lb mark. I filed the rear sight notch a little to move POI to the right, and will probably epoxy the sight notch.
I should figure out how to post pictures so you guys can see what I'm working with.
I still want to get some felt wads and try the REAL bullets again; they are a little lighter and will use less lead.
Do you think I should gently bend the tang a little so the barrel isn't under so much strain when the bolt is snug? This concerns me as far as accuracy is concerned.
Eterry