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Been shooting on the range all week with the .45 Kentucky. Took the last shot of the the day at the propane tank I have at 100 yds.
The ball did not penetrate the tank..rung the bell and dented it well, but it didn't go thru...
Pretty sure it would go thru a deer hide at that range....but I'll save the .58 for that task :)
130 gr lead ball
60 gr FFFg Goex
https://i.imgur.com/AZbTiTtl.jpg
You lose velocity and therefore energy really fast with a round ball.
From what I have ready the reason for the larger calibers was for longer range and bigger game, the 45 was the eastern rifle, then moved to 50 and 54 as you went further west into grizz territory.
Still seems like it left a bruise on the tank.
Yea the .45 patch and ball is not meant of long range shooting..mind you the POA was about dead center so the drop is only about 5-6" at 100yds.
For Chitz and Giggles I might bump up the powder to 70g of FFFg and see if that will give it that little extra energy to punch thru.
Yes it left a mark :)
Why do you say it is not meant for long range shooting? It may not be meant for long range hunting but if the components match why would it not be accurate at longer range.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
I was watching a video during this cold long winter on long range round ball shooting, what we would consider really long range round ball shooting, it was on You Tube but one of those videos that I do not know how I found it, essentially the guys were shooting regularly at 200 yards and further.
I'm sure with luck, you could eventually hit a 4'x4' paper target at 200 yds.....but the ballistics say I would have a hold over of about 70". Be like firing a mortar... aim 6' over your target.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Pretty hard to do any long range 'shooting' with iron sights and a .45 Kentucky rifle.... HaHa...
Put a considerable ding in that tank Mike. Be good penetration on a Deer in my opinion..............Daniel
Mike you've got to stop playing with your balls !
Hey Mike, I cast a bunch of round balls with my new .530 mold. Found it a bit different using aluminum blocks from the steel ones I am used to. .................................Daniel
I've never used the aluminum ones....I wonder if it would cool the lead quicker. Might be problematic.
Does Lee still recommend you 'soot' them up well first ?
Oh ya, soot them up. Seemed like it liked the lead to be a little hotter and keep the mold hotter as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
I had Pancake breakfast this morning back in the Sugar bush with an old bullet maker. I mentioned the aluminum mold vs brass and he said that once you figure out the rhythm and timing then you won't notice the change much.Quote:
Originally Posted by boogaloo
I have to make up a batch of .58 Minies with my brass mold soon. I hope they'll fly better than the ones I bought.
Recovered one of the .45 balls after it dented the propane tank at 100yd....it's amazing the amount of deformation the soft lead goes thru even with the energy curve diminished.
https://i.imgur.com/XvqOdqC.jpg
Wow Mike, looks like there is lots of energy left at 100 yds.
I tried something new today to sight on targets with front beads and open sights.
I have to wear glasses for shooting now and it's a problem trying to see thru the top extreme left hand corner of the lens and still see the target clearly. Unfortunately it doesn't work well and for the most part I'm shooting blind at a target that is behind the bead.
So I cut a Pyramid type contrast and laid it over the target, so now I can raise the front bead till it touches the sides just below the peak. Allows me to see both the front bead and bracket the target at the same time.
Makes a far more consistent point of aim. This was the first try this aft and I'm pleased, Still haven't found the ideal load for this rifle, this was 50 gr of FFFg Goex and is getting closer to what I'm after..
(.45 Kentucky Rifle with barrel rest)
https://i.imgur.com/d2QpVtQm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/x1CcB0Fm.jpg
Yer makin smoke and havin fun Mike...........................Daniel
Your right, having a smoking good time !! I've exploded thru almost 2 lbs of powder in the past couple of weeks figuring out the Maxi Ball conical and Patch/Ball loads. I should have the load for the sabot/ball figured out in the next couple of days now that I have a more consistent point of aim.Quote:
Originally Posted by boogaloo
I'm Happy with this new way of aiming...much better sight picture and easier to hold the point of aim. I was shooting high yesterday so I lowered it ..but a tad to much.
I think I found the 'Happy Load" for the sabot and ball : )
40 gr of FFFg Goex.
50yds
https://i.imgur.com/vrUuPrlm.jpg
That looks like a good idea. I think I would try the V at the top. Most of my rifles are sighted 2.5” high at 100 yd.
Cant wait to shoot the muzzleloader.