Final Deer Load Sight-In / .54cal Smoothbore / Early Virginia

[roundball]

05/23/11 - FINAL DEER LOAD SIGHT-IN @ 50yds.....just need the deer to cooperate !

.54cal smooth rifle / Early Virginia
Hunting position, sitting on the ground leaning against a post

90grns Goex 3F
.022" Oxyoke Precut Patches (.070"cal - 1.5" diameter)
.520" cast balls (Eddie May, Georgia)





.520" BALL and Large .070cal x.022" PATCH (1.5" diameter)
Never a problem centering a ball with large patches, and never a problem with accuracy. 

[William]

Impressive accuracy!  I really dig the wood used for the stock too.

[roundball]

Just speaking from my own experience with smoothbores, it seems if I keep them under a good head of steam all the way to the target, so the knuckle ball effect can't creep in, they're darn near as accurate as a rifle to moderate ranges like 50 yards...and with only 2 exceptions in 20 years, every other deer I've taken with a ML has been in the 25-50 yard range, so this one should get it done OK.

[Blackfeet]

Very impressive. I also like your data tag. Is that an avery-type label pre printed?

[flintboomer]

Looks like you are good to go!
Now it is up to the deer (and you) so good luck hunting.

[roundball]

Very impressive. I also like your data tag. Is that an avery-type label pre printed?

It is an Avery label...but I didn't buy them pre-printed...I just typed up a few sheets the way I wanted them...have them made up for all the calibers and smooth bores I use.

Makes it so easy at the range, especially for patterning shot loads when firing only one shot per large sheet of paper...takes forever to write everything down on each separate sheet as you're changing components here and there...this way I just on the sticker, and circle a few things, done...

[Hanshi]

In your experience, roundball, have the heavy loads done as well in fowlers?  Mine is a .62, and while I might not get accuracy as you have with your smooth rifle, I'd still like pie plate groups at 60 yards.  I'm still working on loads and have done okay at 50yds with a couple loads but I think it could be better.

[roundball]

In your experience, roundball, have the heavy loads done as well in fowlers?

Hansi, I'm no authority on smoothbore MLs...the only ones I've ever had are the so called 'smooth rifle' types and only have my own experiences with those...couldn't begin to say anything about a fowler, sorry.

[wattlebuster]

Good group, great maple, now the long wait till deer season

[roundball]

Yeah...5 months now...meanwhile I'm going to see if I can work up a couple of good shot loads