New Mountaineer Setup

[Exechobo]

I took the new Mountaineer up the mountain today to begin setting up a load for elk and deer. This rifle is a Northwest conversion ordered direct from Knight, and it took almost 2 months to get it to fire a cap. But that is all water under the bridge now, and I had a chance to get up to the shooting area to begin sighting it in before refining my load. I have changed the sighting system to the one I saw on rifles by Sabotloader and Kerrdog.


I set the NECG sight at home by removing the breech plug, sighting thru the barrel at about 50 yards, then without moving the gun, aligning the sight to match. I thought I would be on the paper at 25 yards. Here is the result of the first three shots thru the rifle:


Uhhhmmm, OK, now what do I do for the rest of the morning?

Well, I used the same process to set up a little Leupold 1.75-6 scope. It was a bit more challenging! At 7 yards, I was not on paper!!! After I put up a BIG piece of paper, I was able to find a bullet (and sabot) hole, and the adjustments began.  Now how many clicks at 7 yards to move the POI up 12 inches, left 10 inches? A lot. More than the scope has. Finally, being in possession of a full set of 6 brain cells, I noted the quick mounts were not seated correctly on the Weaver rail. Ahhh, thats better. By the time I got the scope set for 1/2 inch high at 25 yards, I was through. The temp had soared into the mid 70's (I live on the Strait), and my should was also sore.

I was shooting 90 grains of 777 fff, with the 290 gr Bloodlines that came with my Knight starter kit (I know, an expensive piece of kit for something with 50% usable stuff- but remember, I have only 6 brain cells to work with here).

Cleaning was easy. I backed out my breechplug a couple of times while shooting 12 loads, so it was not stuck- thanks to all the people who shared that heads-up! I followed the "clean it twice" process, once in boiling water and soap, then blow out the parts, and reclean it all with solvent. I used Knight's solvent cut with water, but there was little to clean after the soap and water. Everything came out clean as a whistle, with minimal scrubbing.  Oiled and reassembled with teflon tape on the breech plug, and I'm ready to fine tune things next trip out.

A big thanks to Sabotloader for his direct help and support in getting me started, along with my hunting buddies, and all the participants in this and other forums who helped with plenty of experience.

[Sabotloader]

Now to make it really fun... go buy a box of biodegradable Clay Pigeons and start shoot them... it is a kick to bust birds and it is really more like shooting the heart of an animal + plus you get to know right away how good you are!!!

[kerrdog]

Dang, That's a sweet gun. I love the fluting on the barrel.

[Exechobo]

Sabotloader, that is my favorite target for .22 fun, pistol fun, and soon .50 cal fun. First tho, more tuning. Ah, work, work, work.

[BOOM!!]

Cleaning was easy. I backed out my breechplug a couple of times while shooting 12 loads, so it was not stuck- thanks to all the people who shared that heads-up! [/quote]



I am wondering if I understand you correctly, are you saying that every 4 or 5 shots you loosen the breechplug a little bit so it doesn't stick? Sweet looking gun by the way!

[Exechobo]

Boom!, that is what I am saying. I have heard and read too many accounts of solutions for unsticking the breechplug.

It was well lubed with Knight blue grease, but nonetheless after 4-5 shots I backed it out, re-set it. Paranoid? No, just a belt and suspenders kind of guy. I am gonna try the Teflon tape to see how it fares, then never seize. I think it's just the caramelized sugar buildup from 777 that makes it sticky.

I'm sure I could have gotten it out with a ratchet, and or heat gun, but why not just prevent all that?

[oneshot12]

  looking pretty darn good  I  must say     .  Question is  can you  hit anything with  it       might just be to pretty  to get messy  right    just a wall hanger   ok may be not

[Ibcnurun]

Good God that is a beauty. I guess I did not know you could order a Mountaineer Western legal version.

There is something about muzzleloaders and wood stocks - they just seem to go together  .