Spring national

[John H]

Opinions please, before the spring nationals I went to the range to see where I was hitting, I was hitting the center of target pretty consistent. The temps were in the 70s. At the nationals I could hardly touch the barrel it was so hot and could not hit where I was a week before. Would the temperature change that much and what can i do to remedy it?
thanks,
john

[Rick R]

John, I'm somewhat speculating here but there a couple things that come to mind. If the barrel is in direct sunlight you will get uneven thermal expansion. That can't be good but it's too much work to either experiment or do the math know what the actual effect might be. Also, I have noticed a difference in point of impact summer to winter say a 60 °F swing. Glass bedding took care of that

[Bob Lintner]

Air temperature, barrel temperature ,preparation of the barrel (cleanliness), wind speed and direction, bullet lube, bullet design, bullet alloy, humidity, powder all play a part.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Interesting in that the 110th don’t practice at the fort, yet the consistently turn in an outstanding performance at Nationals.

[BobbyHannula8450v]

A good portion of it is what your actually seeing. At nationals I shoot opposite of what I do at all other skirmishes. Carbine in the morning and musket in the afternoon(phase 2). The lighting conditions are completely different from what I’m accustomed too and I find I have to “try harder” to focus on the good shots.

[John Holland]

Back to what Lou,Lou,Lou said.....The 110th OVI puts the multitude of excuses for poor match shooting to rest. As noted, they only shoot at "The Fort" twice a year and have won the Nationals in every type of weather conditions you can imagine, and hold the record for the number of Nationals ever won by one Unit. When I was young, our team practiced the year 'round, and in non-Winter conditions it was twice a week. Being in Western New York we practiced in every weather condition you can imagine from Winter storms to blistering heat. The "Zero" never changed from one condition to the other. Like the 110th OVI, we also only ever shoot at "The Fort" twice a year, but all of that intense practice we did let us win three Nationals. I have found most problems to be explained by errors on behalf of the shooter, and not the conditions. Mental conditioning has a lot to do with it, if you believe that conditions can cause you to shoot poorly.....you most assuredly will.

Just my thoughts and experiences since 1963!

[RaiderANV]

You obviously had a fast rate of fire during the matches then you did during your practice. My Maynard got to hot to hold each relay but it still hit exactly where it was pointing when it went off. We’re you shooting offhand during practice as in the matches? Get you one of the nice weight lifting glides that have the ends of fingers cut out and you can then hold that hot barrel. NOT...... the fake leather. It WILL melt to your barrel when going full time on a relay, during the summer at the Fort. That Merrill carbine still has the imprint of the glove on it.

[Tom Magno, 9269V]

First and foremost, eliminate the variables that can and will change - stocks swell and contract, depending upon the conditions - which will change your point of impact as pressures change at the barrel bands affecting the barrel harmonics. Put your bands on the same way every time, and (if screw tension type) same tightness every time. Same with the tang screw. Glass bedding was mentioned - and I would strongly recommend any serious competitor should have their muzzle loader bedded. Cases can be made for breech-only or full-length bedding. In my opinion and experience, full length bedding solved all of my 'wandering zero' issues. After you stabilize the barrel by bedding, point of impact will change very little with the environment, all other factors being equal (ammo, etc)...

[Greg Ogdan 110th OVI]

Mr. Holland, you are a wise and kind gentleman. Now, I just wish I could shoot with the real A teamers. More Practise!

Greg

[B P Shooter]

I have been shooting black powder competition since I was old enough to hold a gun. Though you cant always tell by my shooting. I was told when I was a young feller that different weather conditions do indeed play a part in your shooting. Not necessarily point of impact in all cases. Sun vs no sun plays a part on point of aim and not necessarily point of impact. This because it changes the way you are seeing your sight picture. Sun on your left vs sun on your right.

Humidity does indeed affect black powder and point of impact. But I am not of scientific mind enough to explain this one. I do believe that lube plays a factor in this a well.

If you wear glasses, that will also play a factor in your sight picture. New ones vs old ones. Scratches, etc.

The best that I have been able to come up with is to practice in all weather and sunlight conditions and make notes on point of impact and your sight picture. Basically, it boils down to knowing your gun and how it reacts in all different conditions.