Girly Gun

[Don McDowell]

Scrap the lube wad and go with those dry lubed felt wads..

[Dave Roelle]

Hi Kurt-------------nope i didn't win, but spotted for the winner-----------------it was just fireforming and getting the feel of the rifle.

After i quit trying to lower the trigger guard and reach for a patch rod, i settled down and really enjoyed shooting the roller (i normally shoot Shiloh's---the change to the roller was "interesting" for the first few shots-------------thought i'd try a blow tube for a change too-----it was fun

The rams fell well------about a 2 minute group with iron sights

i'll put it on paper soon and do some ladder load work

one of those 90 degree 90 humidity days on the gulf coast--------i need to cool down and dry out some before testing continues

Dave

[Kurt]

that's the way it should be, spot for the winner! that makes you a winner also. It sounds like your rifle is doing well and a light 50 gr load. I had one 52 gr that shot well also.
It was a fine sunny day here also with just a whisper of a breeze and the temp in the 90's and the air was heavy. Just shooting under cover my T shirt was wet. We had 14" of rain here in two days and flooding in the low lands that brings the moisture up.

Don I had one 10 shot load 62 grs of 2F OE with .120" compression with no lube that would not stay on the 18" backer board holding the target. I think gas cuts ate the bullets.

[Don McDowell]

Must be something going on, 62 gr shoots alright with patched, but 64 really brings things together. I'm using a .396 bullet wrapped in seth cole 55 w. thin napa rubber cork wad and one of the dry lubed muzzleloader original felt wads.

[Steve Anderson]

I'm curious how that girly gun is working out. Any updates?

[Kurt]

Steve.
I just finished blowing out 300 new cases using spilled and mixed powder and odd and end mixed primers I use for this kind of job. I had to order a new mould because I got the horse hooked behind the beer wagon ordering a mould before I had the rifle and it turned out the bore is very tight and a .395 bullet is way to tight. It takes two thumbs to get it seated close enough so the breach block can finish caming it in. I know this compresses the powder more and most likely squeezes the lube past the bullet so I ordered a new mould from Brooks. The rifle is in the rack till I get the new mould. But I have to say even with junk loads I have seen very tight clusters of holes on the 200 yard paper and also basketball groups.
I should have the mould in two weeks then serious loads will go through it.
Kurt

[Hiwall55]

Do you think the Girly gun would pose for a picture? She might be lonely sitting in the rack!

[Kurt]

She is kind of shy but I might talk her into sitting still foe a minute in the morning. I just got two push through sizing dies from Lee and I sized 20 down in two stages to .392" from .396" the mould drops so I got them patched tp .399" and that is a tight fit in the bore. It's calling for rain tomorrow so it will be a good time to go to the range and I will have it to myself so I can concentrate on hitting center with out someone wanting to talk.
I don't like sizing bullets this much but they now have a longer shank then a ogive. We'll see what happens. If I remember I will take the camera with me.

[Don McDowell]

Scrap the lube wad and go with those dry lubed felt wads..

Steve I'll be picking up my "girly" gun Saturday when we go to Watkins, and it could be purchased. should I bring the 200 fire formed cases that go with it.

[Kurt]

Here you go Bill.
It was a nice morning with no wind but dark, rain was close. I got set up and just could not see the target through the apertures so I put the blocks on and mounted the scope. I should do this anyway for load development. I had 23 rounds with me so I shot 5 each on paper off the rest and shot the other 13 rounds at the iron swingers off hand.
The test loads were 60 gr of 1.5 swiss and 58 gr of 2F OE both had close to .140" compression with a .004" butcher paper wad and .012" art card wad over the powder and under the lube wad with a .039" plastic wad under the patched bullet. Both loads shot well for the 185 yards they flew. Both targets have 5 shots shot on them but only 4 holes. but the missing holes are in a oval ?
I won't call this rifle a Girly gun anymore, just missy is just fine.
I still have a little more work to do on the wood, get the shine knocked off for one thing and fill the pores some more. Iy only had 6 coats of tung oil on it now.
Little missy is showing promise.
IMG_3089 by Kurt, on Flickr

IMG_3087 by Kurt, on Flickr
IMG_3092 by Kurt, on Flickr