Being new to black powder shooting, Flintlocks in particular, I had all kinds of notions that shooting a flintlock was comparable to shooting a centerfire rifle. Felt the only way to measure the powder was with a scale, I was wrong. When I got the GPR I was told the hows and whys of loading and shooting bp, and was told by an Expert. Did I listen to him, NO. Last Saturday I went back to the BP shop for more powder, and talked with him again and explained I now see what he was trying to teach me. Weighing charges out, at home prior to range time, for me, is a waste of time and takes away from the enjoyment range time experience. To date I have put 200 rounds through barrel, tried different patches, and different powder charges. Yesterday, after struggling with personal bullheadedness, I filled the front sight, to have a better sight picture and hopefully to hit what I aim at. Well I am hitting what I aim at, almost. Shooting 60 gr column bp, with .020 patch and .50 rb first shot hit bull, following shot to the left and a 4" spread. Shot 6 shots per target. 2nd target the same results, 1st shot on bull, rest scattered.?????? I run a spit patch, actually simple green and water patch, after every shot followed by 2 dry patches to dry barrel. Then reload and shoot. Still bench resting the rifle though, not ready for offhand shooting. Was told to start with 50 grns powder, but after 100 shots went to 60 grns. No change in grouping. Today at the range I will try a different approach. I will use 45 grn powder, and after loading patched ball I will run a dry patch down barrel. If that improve grouping then I will go up to 50grn until I reach the SWEET LOAD for GPR, Any input will be appreciated. The last 4 weeks has taught me something that 64 years has not taught me, that is PATIENCE, never was a patient person.
pillgrim
I do not want like i am talking down to you, but I am going to ask some questions that may seem that way.
1. Are you mounting the rifle the same way each time? If you are where are you placing the stock, in the shoulder pocket or just out side on the arm? If in the pocket try moving it out on the arm.
2. Are you breathing correctly?
3. Do you see the hammer fall or the flash from the pan? If you are seeing the flash for the pan, I would suggest that you dry fire with nothing but powder in the pan until you no longer see the flash and have to look and see if it ignited.
Not being able to watch you shoot, I would say that you may have a flint lock flinch.
If you can, get someone to go to the range with you and watch you shoot.
Pilgrim,
Don't feel bad. why do you think my Early lancaster is called Patience.... thmbsup
I am still trying to dial her in after a full year of playing around. It really helps when you have someone to help you at the range, When Old Salt and I get together he walks me though what I am doing wrong and that really helps! Unfortunately I do not have access to that kind of help all the time so I must slow way down and go through the motions. One of these days I will get it all worked out and be able to shoot my rifles and pistols with the accuracy they are capable of.
One thing I throw into the sales pitch, any time someone who's shot percussion or modern guns only but is considering the flintlock, is that mastering the flinter will make you better shot with every other gun you own. Everything necessary to fine shooting of more modern types of gun is magnified many times over with the flintlock, particularly following through on every shot and overcoming flinch. The relatively slow loading process also enforces the need to make every shot count. Once the discipline to all of this has been absorbed and become second nature, it can't help but improve the results of shooting percussion or most especially modern cartridge rifles (I don't say "centerfire" because, much to the dismay of your local squirrel population or the other participants in smallbore matches, the steadiness acquired also applies very nicely to .22 rifles).
more than likely is a slight flinch , I had the same problem with my first flinter ! the fact that the lock was crap and unreliable did`nt help any ! just takes a bit of practice , I`ve only ever known one person who could`nt get past the flash !
I just finished cleaning the GPR from today's shooting. Thanks to all, Old Salt; I shoot right hand and I try to place the stock inn the shoulder socket, but usually the stock is just to the right. After 30+ shots I can feel the bruise at the side of the shoulder socket, but real bruise just sore. Breathing correctly may be the problem, I been reading up on the correct was to breath when shooting, but must focus more on it, and try to set than in my routine and hope it becomes a habit. I don't see the hammer fail ,but sometimes see the flash, especially when I have misfire. I try to focus on the rear sight and front sight and target. Today I tried shooting with both eyes open. Seemed to tighten groups, but, pnic for target. I'm not sure if I flinch, when I last shot the other bp rifle, over 1 month ago, and probably not for a long time to come, I did filch, 5# trigger pull. But with a double trigger, there no time to anticipate trigger fall, it just happens and the BANG. I have caught myself on occasion jerking the trigger. You would all step away from me when I am on the range and call the looney farm, Because I criticize myself, out loud, when I do something dumb. Red Badger; I hope to go to a local BP shoot next Sunday. There I hope someone will see my faults and point them out to me. I am in no way ready to make a public appearance at a shoot, but ROFL is good medicine for all. Found out today the GPR likes 45 grn bp better than 50 or 60 grains. Had tighter groups. OK for targets but not for hunting. That will be worked on late summer. Mongrel; I try to concentrate, when I don't then my sots do spread, I have to work on concentration. Again today I got into enjoying and forgot to load the main charge, but only once today, better than yesterday. I have been trying to set a routine for shooting, from after each shot to completion on shot. beowolf; You are right, I try not to flinch, but sometimes I jerk the trigger and that is a flinch. All in all, I can't remember when I had so much relaxation and enjoyment as when I am shooting the GPR
That 45gr may may be your low load harmonics sweet spot...you will probably find another spot at 70-80 or even 90 gr where it will settle again to a small group..good for hunting, but who wants to burn that much powder for every shot punching paper??
Doug
Pilgrim,
Breathing is very important. What I do is take 3 or 4 very deep, slow breaths, this does two things for me 1. It makes your heart rate slow down, which makes you calmer, therefore steadier, 2. It saturates your lungs, to some extent, making it easier to hold your breath while you are aiming your gun. After I do this I line up my sights trying to get my gun to fire at a controlled moment, when the sights are where I want them. I'm not a devote follower of the "you should be surprised, at the precise instant, when your gun goes off, guy". In my mind the gun should go off when I choose it to. If I follow my own advice, then as the shooting session continues, all of this become more and more automatic and routine. This works for me, and I hope you find some useful information, for you, as well.
Larry
Thanks Larry, I will give it a try.