Shot my new to me old gun today

[flounder]

This morning it quit raining so I took out the mk-85 I bought last week to see how it would shoot. The gun looks really good for its age (built in late 80's). The serial # is 28XX. I don't think it was ever shot much. The only thing I can say bad about it is the previous owner must not have cleaned the reciever real well as there was some residue there and there was a little pitting after I got it cleaned up good. The barrel and the laminated stock seemed excellent inside and out.
This gun shot as good or better than any black powder gun I have been around. I was using 90 grains of 2f 777 and the 250 grain XTPs. The bore of this gun is definitely tighter than my other mk-85. I was using the MMP short black sabots and I wouldn't have wanted them any tighter.
The other thing that was new to me is the peep sight that came with the rifle. I hadn't shot with one before and for my old eyes I think it is a big improvement over regular open sights.
My son shot with me and of course his group was better than mine. We were right at 50 yards and he put three shots right in the bulls eye so under a 1 inch group.
I have talked a little with Busta about this gun as he also has an early mk-85. I think the barrel is a Gumby barrel. It only has six lands and grooves instead of the eight in the green mountain barrels.
I sure am happy with this old gun.
Art

 

[Busta]

Flounder,

Glad it turned out well for you. The early MK-85's were built by craftsmen, not just assembled by a bunch of guys punching a clock.

The "Gumby" barrels (6 lands and grooves) are very much like the early White barrels by Wilson, they have excellent crowns and just look CLASSY! The bore diameter is slightly smaller than the Whites .504", but they will shoot as well with the right sized bullets.

"Gumby" (David Gumucio Sp?) went on to White and ran the company (White Shooting Systems) for one of their short stints in the early to mid 90's, he also designed the G-Series rifle receivers (Gumby-Series), and BG-Series shotgun receivers (Big Gumby-Series). This was the models previous to the M-97 and Ultra-Mag's. The W-Series (White-Series) is DOC's design.

A little story and a pics with Gumby. He was a big boy, and last I heard is selling real estate now.

http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/image ... prod02.htm

http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/image ... e_hogs.htm

http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/lets_ ... ______.htm

Sorry to hijack your thread Flounder, just thought you and the guys would like to know what "Gumby" meant.

I have met Gumby at Bob's Guns & Tackle, as well as DOC White, Tony Knight, Toby, and others over the years. Bob's has probably sold more inline muzzleloaders in the last 25 years than any store in the state, probably the nation.

 

[flounder]

Busta,
Have you shot any conicals through your mk=85?
Thanks for the history.
Art

 

[Busta]

Sure have!

Drop 70-80 grains of your 777 in there, and a 460 gr No Excuses/Bull Shop, or any other 430-460 grain all lead lubed conical around .502"-.503" and you should have a load that will work for you.

The White 430 and 440 grain .503" also work well in mine. I use a fiber gasket wad between the powder and bullet, but that is not necessary.