Group Size

[kmitch]

I took my Traditions inline muzzloader to the range this past weekend. I was using granular Pyrodex propellant and measuring it with a RCBS reloading scale. With 250 grain conicals and sabots and 100 grains of Pyrodex I was getting huge groups, greater than 6". With 110 grains and 295 grain Powerbelt bullets I got a group a little larger that 2" at 100 yds. Do I need to do more load development or is 2" about what I can expect? Seems that I had shot 100 grains of Pyrodex pellets and the 250 grain sabots and got 2" groups consistently before. Is there that much difference in the behavior of pellets and granular Pyrodex? Also has anyone got range or hunting experience with the Hornady SST sabots? I'm curious as to how much good the plastic tip does for bullet flight and how much they expand.

At the range the targets are at 100yds but the earth berm backstop is at 200 yds. It was neat to hear the gun go off and then the THUMP of the bullet hitting the berm. Two separate sounds. I don't have a chrony but would like to know the muzzlevelocity of the loads I was shooting.

Keith

[MIBowhunter]

kmitch,

I have the Traditions Buckunter, I went to the range 3 weeks ago because I had to change to 777 from Blackpowder. I was shooting 90 grains BP and went to 100 Grains 777, I was shooting a 2 inch group with 370 gr T/C Maxi Ball at 100 yards. I would experiment with different loads and bullet setups. Also be sure to run a patch down the barrel after every shot to get a good accurate shot out. I feel a 2 inch group at 100 yards with a ML is well withing acceptable limits. Make sure you ahve a good rest position and it's not your body movement causing your large groups.

Good Luck

MIB