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- Dec 28, 2012
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Ok, so I have an older Renegade that I picked up quite some time ago. Its a .54 percussion with set triggers in excellent condition. It appears to be an older model (pre warning label) but I have no idea how old. It has a tc tang peep, and green fiber optic front sight (the guy before put it on).
Last weekend I ventured out with it to test it out... been in my safe too long. Over the years I've had several traditional ML's, but always shot full bore or even saboted loads, never PRB.
My intent with this was to use PRB. My cousin gave me some balls (.530 he said - didn't measure them), and my buddy gave me some patches. I am not sure of the patch size... he thought they were .015 - he has a .50 Hawken. I lubed them up and headed out.
I had no idea if it was on target or not. I started by loading 100gr Pyrodex RS, w RWS 1075 caps... at 25yds, and shot 2x to get it on target, it was pretty close. Then I backed up to 50yds, and started shooting and tweaking the peep. I only had 12 patches, so I was limited. I was taking my time and swabbing with a spit patch between shots. I got it dialed in to where it was shooting in the 3" bull consistently, and a few of the shots were pretty close. I've never shot a peep before, so it was taking some getting used to, and I know I have some more work to do. And that trigger... oh my!! Its MUCH lighter than anything I've ever shot. I got better with it as I went, but the first 3-4 shots it startled me, even smashed myself in the nose with my thumb twice. LOL
Also, I was holding dead on because my front sight fit perfectly in the target box at 50yds. I don't know if I should switch to a 6 o'clock hold next time. I've never shot open sights much, and never with that type hold. Will have to train my mind I guess if I decide to. Much farther and I won't be able to see the target box if I don't. Most shots where I hunt are under 75yds, so I'm not super concerned either way. I plan to shoot it out to 100 on targets next time.
So, not being a PRB shooter ever... I have some questions. I am green really, but learning.
First, how do you guys determine what is a good fitting load in these rifles? I could start the ball with my thumb, and it slid down with relatively light pressure. About halfway through, I dialed back down to 90gr, and the group tightened up a good bit. But I really don't have an accurate feel for how it shoots yet, didn't really shoot for groups. Was just shooting it to shoot it and get in on paper and get the feel for it. The last 2 shots I felt like I had a very slight delay on ignition, but only from what I thought I heard. It may not have. It was still very accurate. I think it was starting to crud up a smidge in the nipple.
Should I be swabbing between shots? Would alcohol or windex be better? It didn't seem to have a ton of fouling it seemed, seemed far less than my inlines. I'm guessing because of the patch lube?
So I need to get some patches and round balls. I see the daisy pillow tick patches on October country... was thinking I could get .015 and .018 and see what the gun likes. Do you guys like those? Should I get .50-.59 or .40-49? I'm thinking the latter... smaller would give less excess, correct? I am using Frontier patch lube/rust preventative. One thing I noticed... (again, I'm green) I didn't do a good job lubing the patches I think. Some of them burnt up, others looked pretty good. From what I've read, if its lubed right with a reasonable load...they shouldn't burn up. I will do a better job lubing next time and more consistently on the whole patch.
I have heard that Hornady round balls are really good for hunting. True? I want something that is soft enough and will expand well and not just punch a hole through. Nobody local carries balls, so I have to order. Who is best? Dang things are expensive to ship.... should I get both sizes? .530 and .535? Or just stick with what I shot this weekend since they did pretty well?
I will say, it was fun! I gotta figure that trigger out... and get more acquainted with the peep sight and shooting through it. I'll be shooting it again in 2 weeks, so I have some time to order some supplies.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Last weekend I ventured out with it to test it out... been in my safe too long. Over the years I've had several traditional ML's, but always shot full bore or even saboted loads, never PRB.
My intent with this was to use PRB. My cousin gave me some balls (.530 he said - didn't measure them), and my buddy gave me some patches. I am not sure of the patch size... he thought they were .015 - he has a .50 Hawken. I lubed them up and headed out.
I had no idea if it was on target or not. I started by loading 100gr Pyrodex RS, w RWS 1075 caps... at 25yds, and shot 2x to get it on target, it was pretty close. Then I backed up to 50yds, and started shooting and tweaking the peep. I only had 12 patches, so I was limited. I was taking my time and swabbing with a spit patch between shots. I got it dialed in to where it was shooting in the 3" bull consistently, and a few of the shots were pretty close. I've never shot a peep before, so it was taking some getting used to, and I know I have some more work to do. And that trigger... oh my!! Its MUCH lighter than anything I've ever shot. I got better with it as I went, but the first 3-4 shots it startled me, even smashed myself in the nose with my thumb twice. LOL
Also, I was holding dead on because my front sight fit perfectly in the target box at 50yds. I don't know if I should switch to a 6 o'clock hold next time. I've never shot open sights much, and never with that type hold. Will have to train my mind I guess if I decide to. Much farther and I won't be able to see the target box if I don't. Most shots where I hunt are under 75yds, so I'm not super concerned either way. I plan to shoot it out to 100 on targets next time.
So, not being a PRB shooter ever... I have some questions. I am green really, but learning.
First, how do you guys determine what is a good fitting load in these rifles? I could start the ball with my thumb, and it slid down with relatively light pressure. About halfway through, I dialed back down to 90gr, and the group tightened up a good bit. But I really don't have an accurate feel for how it shoots yet, didn't really shoot for groups. Was just shooting it to shoot it and get in on paper and get the feel for it. The last 2 shots I felt like I had a very slight delay on ignition, but only from what I thought I heard. It may not have. It was still very accurate. I think it was starting to crud up a smidge in the nipple.
Should I be swabbing between shots? Would alcohol or windex be better? It didn't seem to have a ton of fouling it seemed, seemed far less than my inlines. I'm guessing because of the patch lube?
So I need to get some patches and round balls. I see the daisy pillow tick patches on October country... was thinking I could get .015 and .018 and see what the gun likes. Do you guys like those? Should I get .50-.59 or .40-49? I'm thinking the latter... smaller would give less excess, correct? I am using Frontier patch lube/rust preventative. One thing I noticed... (again, I'm green) I didn't do a good job lubing the patches I think. Some of them burnt up, others looked pretty good. From what I've read, if its lubed right with a reasonable load...they shouldn't burn up. I will do a better job lubing next time and more consistently on the whole patch.
I have heard that Hornady round balls are really good for hunting. True? I want something that is soft enough and will expand well and not just punch a hole through. Nobody local carries balls, so I have to order. Who is best? Dang things are expensive to ship.... should I get both sizes? .530 and .535? Or just stick with what I shot this weekend since they did pretty well?
I will say, it was fun! I gotta figure that trigger out... and get more acquainted with the peep sight and shooting through it. I'll be shooting it again in 2 weeks, so I have some time to order some supplies.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!