Keyholes and one of the best groups I've shot

[lokidog]

So, I finally had time to pull out the ML in the hopes of using it as a backup to my bow for my Sheep hunt. I wasn't sure what I had for bullets so bought some Traditions Smackdown 250gr bullets.  I'll be posting those in the Pay It Forward thread shortly.  The photo is from 40 yards, 3 out of 4 shots key-holed.     I've never had that happen before with any round I've shot from this gun.  I've shot 260 gr sabots and have not noticed this problem.  Anyways, I did some research and discovered that my twist rate 1/48ish is probably not fast enough for these lighter bullets.

Luckily, I found some heavier bullets that I bought a long time ago....

[lokidog]

Fortunately, I found four dozen 300 gr Precision Rifle’s Extreme HP’s .  I shot three rounds with 90 grain equivalent Triple Seven and then three more with 100 gr equivalent. The 100 gr equivalents put two touching and one low a bit.

I adjusted my sight, estimating it, and put a new target up.  The first shot, I forgot and put 90 grains in, bullseye.  I then loaded the next four rounds with about 103 gr equivalent.  I’m pretty happy with this group and looking at velocities of 1700 to 1800, this gives me pretty much a 100 yard zero with only a five inch drop at 150.  I’ll try some 100 yard shots, maybe tomorrow.

I’m pretty happy with this group using a peep sight and fiber optic front bead.

[Ridgeratt]

Well IF you hit them with the first bullets they will make a heck of a wound channel!!!

[PyroBlack]

How did you arrive at 103 grains volume? You use a see-thru plastic measure?
Those 250s should not have keyholed at 40 yards...... not even 75 yards. Make sure you're firmly seating that bullet and no lubes or oils in the bore.

Also, never predict what the bullet will do 25 and 50 yards ahead. You must shoot the bullet at those distances to find out. Each ML is it's own creature - different than the same make and model your buddy might have. Sometimes MLs made on Monday are NOT the same diameter as those made on Friday.

Gotta' shoot it to find out where it's going at all possible harvesting distances in the woods........ and don't forget wind and terrain angle compensations.

I like those 300 grain Precision Extreme Elite HPs. But you should be using a boat-tail plastic sabot with that one, for distances beyond 100. Harvestermuzzleloading.com sells them.

[PA BEN]

I'm getting one of these sites so I can dial in a load with a scope and take it off with out a lot of work.
 http://www.eabco.net/PeepRib-Peep-Sights-for-Traditions-Vortek-and-Pursuit_p_13432.html#tab-2?lt_c=1&quickcart=1

[lokidog]

I'm getting one of these sites so I can dial in a load with a scope and take it off with out a lot of work.
 http://www.eabco.net/PeepRib-Peep-Sights-for-Traditions-Vortek-and-Pursuit_p_13432.html#tab-2?lt_c=1&quickcart=1

You mean like this? The problem with mine is that you would have to take the whole peep assembly off to get a scope on there.  I also discovered, years ago, that the guy that installed my rail did not get it quite straight so I would have to shim a scope a little. 

[PA BEN]

The write ups I read on the one I posted said it take a scope on problem/does not interfere w/the peep. I will let you know how it works when it shows up. That's a cool looking smoke pole what is it?

[lokidog]

How did you arrive at 103 grains volume? You use a see-thru plastic measure?
Those 250s should not have keyholed at 40 yards...... not even 75 yards. Make sure you're firmly seating that bullet and no lubes or oils in the bore.

Also, never predict what the bullet will do 25 and 50 yards ahead. You must shoot the bullet at those distances to find out. Each ML is it's own creature - different than the same make and model your buddy might have. Sometimes MLs made on Monday are NOT the same diameter as those made on Friday.

Gotta' shoot it to find out where it's going at all possible harvesting distances in the woods........ and don't forget wind and terrain angle compensations.

I like those 300 grain Precision Extreme Elite HPs. But you should be using a boat-tail plastic sabot with that one, for distances beyond 100. Harvestermuzzleloading.com sells them.

1. I threw ten charges by volume and calculated the weight equivalent for the Triple 7 that I have.  I like to weigh my charges. I looked back at my calculations, it was actually 98 grain equivalent.

2. The bore was clean and dry for each of these shots and the bullet was definitely seated tightly and the same on each one.  I've never had any other bullet do this, though maybe some roundballs did that I did not notice....    

3. This isn't the last shooting I will do before shooting at an animal - "I’ll try some 100 yard shots, maybe tomorrow."  Looks like it won't be today in the rain though.

4. Wind and terrain angle compensations will be no different than for shooting any gun.  Maybe I'd better shoot it in every wind condition and from every two yard increment, oh wait, maybe I'll look at some ballistics tables just like I would for my 30-06....  Since I do not have a chronograph, I did several calculations around what I am assuming the velocity will be based on factory specs and other online sources and looked at the high and low ends (downgraded to 1500-1600).  I will be shooting at some different distances to see if I can verify the drop calculations.

5. What's the difference between a "boattail" sabot like the crush rib vs. what comes with the bullet from the factory?  It looks like the boattail one is a little longer, but the one from the factory is longer as well.

[lokidog]

The write ups I read on the one I posted said it take a scope on problem/does not interfere w/the peep. I will let you know how it works when it shows up. That's a cool looking smoke pole what is it?

It's an underhammer from BlueGrouse that I picked up about 14 years ago.  The first I had done for my wife as a wedding present.  It had the peep mounted on the action.  Unfortunately, I soon realized that each time the breach plug was pulled, the sights would then have to be re-zeroed since the barrrel attached via a round piece and had nothing to index it super accurately.  So, when I had mine made, I asked to have the sights attached to the barrel.  I really like the underhammer design as it has a really fast lock time and has the primer charge go directly into the powder like an inline, but it is still a traditional design. I just wish I could make the trigger a little lighter.

[MountainDevil54]

not sure of your bore diameter but when i shot the smackdowns, they loaded with almost the weight of the aluminum ramrod. Could be that was the issue and just not a good snug fit to grip that bullet and set it to spinning.

[lokidog]

not sure of your bore diameter but when i shot the smackdowns, they loaded with almost the weight of the aluminum ramrod. Could be that was the issue and just not a good snug fit to grip that bullet and set it to spinning.

Could be.  The Smackdowns seem to be 0.5025 and the lands look to be 0.501 - 0.502 and the ones that shot well look to be 0.5045