A lot of firsts

[smbrj]

New to the forum, 1st post, 1st Sharps (Mt Roughrider in 40-65), 1st time for loading BP into metallic carts, 1st time PPing. Loaded up 50rds 1/2 w/Geox 2F and the other half w/ Geox 3F, All that I had left from the muzzleloader and the ROA. Taking it to the range tomorrow for the first time, it should be very interesting.

Mike

[Don McDowell]

Well have fun and do keep us posted.

[smbrj]

Well, Made it back from the range and I must say that it was a real hoot shooting the Sharps. After the first round went down range I could not stop smiling. It's also when all of the reading and lurking went from theory to experience (however small..) It's also when all of those little doubts in the back of my brain stopped whispering that there's no way that that all of that crunching noises is was hearing when I was compressing the powder wasn't going to explode in my face when I pulled the trigger. All told I was at the range for about 5 hrs and sent about 40 rds down range. I ended up wiping after every round as the sharp shoulder would not tolerate more than 1-2 shots before I couldn't fully seat the round. That presented another problem of a stuck bullet in the chamber with the case in my hand.

The last 10 were the best of the bunch. Getting used to the rifle and I had a bit more light in the sights.

Last 10 @ 100yards. Just need to find someplace to shoot this at a longer distance.


   

[Don McDowell]

For the first time out that's looking pretty good. The more you mess with it and get the gun shot in, the better things will group.

[smbrj]

I'll need to wait for my order from Powder Inc to come in as I used everything I had in this batch. One thing that really surprised me was how easy it was to clean vs my Hawken and ROAs. At the range I ran 3 wet and 2 dry through the bore as a head start. When I got home I ran a patch soaked in Eds Red through it and it came out as clean as it went in. I picked up more dirt using the patch to wipe the outside of the gun than I did running it through the bore. Wiped everything down with a clean cloth and put it in the safe. One thing I know is that I'll need to start casting otherwise it's gonna get expensive to take out all the time. I'll be trying a couple of different moulds before settling on one or two (GG n PP)

[Kurt]

Man those holes are clean enough to make you thing that you used wad cutters

[smbrj]

Yea, by looking at it you would think I was using a pistol. When I was packing in supplies to reload the cartridge, Midway had them on clearance for $22. Montana Precision 370gr swaged pp. They have a sharp shoulder that in addition to cutting clean holes on paper it's easy to line up the patch to the bullet when you have not done it before. The down side, I found out, was that they dont like a dirty barrel and ended up wiping after every shot. Not sure if I'd get them again though...

[Kurt]

I have a swage die that makes that bullet. It does make a very clean hole. I use it for a PP or I knurl it and use it as a lubed bullet. When knurling it will hold more lube than a 4 ring GG.
They will shoot very good as a PP.

[smbrj]

Made it to the range the last two weekends trying to get a handle on getting a decent load. My order of powder arrived, a mix of OE and KiK in 2f and 3f so I have some latitude in load development. My initial bullet order was 50 rds ea of 370gr and 400 gr slicks @ .395 and 50 Lyman 400 gr postels @ .408. My PP loads are all over the place at the moment with most groups shooting inside a 4x6 box @ 100 yards. Just need more trigger time and get consistent on my grip/technique. My best group this weekend was with the postel 5 rounds 5/8"H by 2.25"W. That was using 56gr of OE 3F. Shooting is on hold until I get some moulds in. Looking to get a BACO 415gr .396 PP mould and a Brooks reduced band GG mould. Once I get some respectable groups @ 100yds I'll need to start looking for a range where I can try the loads out to a longer distance.

[Don McDowell]

Fouling control with the patched loads is very critical when it comes to accuracy. Also don't overlook the wad stack/column. Using to thick of paper can also give you some nasty unexplainable or predictable verticle stringing.