I am at a loss for words

[pilgrim]

     Today I finally got off my lazy butt and went to shoot.  I took the two rifles that Mongrel,  Mike Lange had worked on.  The original rifle was a Cabelas .58 Hawken in percussion.    But since I prefer Flintlocks,  Mike transformed the barrel into a Flintlock and nested the barrel in a new stock,   as a Jaeger rifle, made to my needs.  15 1/5" LOP.    And the remaining stock,  he put in a Numrich barrel in 50 caliber.    I had fired both previously but mostly had tackled the Jaeger 58.  Never could seem to get any descent accuracy with the 58.  Tried all  powder charges,  from 50gr through 100 gr, and in 2 F and 3F.   Then last year I filed down the rear sight,  way too far,  then tried to replace the sight with another and screwed up the dove tail notch.  .  So I asked Mike to replace the rear sight.  Mike replaced the rear sight and the front sight.  Today I took both rifles out to make smoke.

     Last year Blackfeet had  told me that he also had a Cabelas 58 Hawken and that he got the best accuracy using a .570 round ball with  his patching and spit.    well being the kind of person Blackfeet is,  he sent me a supply of .570 round balls and plenty of patch material.  So toady I finally used that combo that Blackfeet suggested .   70 gr 2F, .570 round ball with spit patch.  Tried 3F  but did not group well until I switched to 2F.   And all I can say is WOW.  The 58 never shot so well.  Accuracy was perfect.  No adjusting or filling a sight.  Just load, aim & shoot.  Right on  point of aim.  Shot about 50 shots then decided to clean the Jaeger and switch to the  Cabelas Numrich barreled rifle. 

     Loaded the  Cabelas/Numrich  rifle with 45 gr 2F, .015 pillow ticking, dampened with Hoppes #9,  per Hanshi, with a .490 round ball.   Another winning combo.  First shot at 25 yrds,  from a bench, using the fold down rear sight,  BULLSEYE.  I shot several more shots. 

    Then I switched over and folded the front sight down and installed rear the Peep sight.   same load,  45 gr 2F, .015 pillow ticking with Hoppes #9 and a .490 round ball.  Again, the first shot was dead on,  BULLSEYE.   Followed by two more shots to form a cloverleaf 3/4" X 3/4".     I could do no wrong today,  so I went and bought 3 different  Lottery tickets.   Cant hurt any.................

     I want to Thank Blackfeet for supplying me with the advice and the materials for the Jaeger. 

     Also want to thank Hanshi for the idea to use the Hoppes #9  as he stated he uses.    It worked great in the Cabela's/Numrich. But the Jaeger did not care for it.

    Thanks to all,  WOW what a great day shooting.

[Dogshirt]

I'm not too surprised. My GPR REFUSES any and all attempts to feed it 3f powder. NO load from 45 to 120 will make a group under
6 inches. But 60 grains of 2f will hit the bull every time if I do my part.

[William]

Thanks for sharing your day with us, it put a smile on my face at least.  I have a .54 Investarms barrel that Mike transformed into a plains type rifle but it too just will not shoot a decent group using 3f. Haven't yet been able to shoot the 50 caliber he made me but from experience I'll start with 3f.