Becoming Antsy for Range Time

[ET1]

Spring is at the doorstep with nice weather starting to appear. I have this irresistible urge to get out to the range and continue my experimental shooting.
My equipment is ready to go for round one to continue working with 200gr bullets. Here I hope to find some answers as to the feasibility of shooting lighter bullets. My last outing was to find a suitable powder load that produces a decent grouping with 200FTX. From there I will use this load to compare to following groups of 200gr bullets. As for determining the sweet spot of each load that will come later.
Because of my limited access to a range, I try to organize my outings to get as much data as possible. Then from there plan my next outing after reviewing previous results. Other than my 40cal experiment I also have a special interest in getting the 200xpb to shoot. One handicap is the lack of bearing surface because of the drag groove for the sabot to grip. Here I have a few options to explore.


What comes to mind is a comment made by a previous sports channel a way’s back. Don’t quote me.
“The joy of victory and the agony of defeat”. Well, I won’t wallow in agony and bounce back for another go at trying to become victorious. Hey I’m stubborn, chuckle.
For me even a defeat is educational in a way in telling you what works and what doesn’t. It doesn’t tell you the why, that’s for the shooter to figure out. Ahh the mysteries of SML.
Anyway, I anxiously wait for that first outing.

[MikePal]

Because of my limited access to a range, I try to organize my outings to get as much data as possible.

The snow is finally gone, a little wet yet but I'm going to start the 2022 season in the next few days. Having a 300 yd range 50 yds from my Kitchen door is a true blessing for those days when you get the bug and want to shoot, BUT don't have the inclination to load everything into the truck and drive 45 + minutes to get to the Club Range.

Opened Day I'm going to start with the 'Cabin Fever Challange' with my .45 cal Kentucky.

Time to start burning thru some powder and throwing lead down range for sure.

[ET1]

MikePal

Enjoy the Cabin Fever Challenge and look forward to hearing your results. Even though we use a different discipline of muzzle loading I still enjoy reading the results. In my case I got into SML and stayed there.
With the options of different calibers now the 50 SML with sabots is somewhat becoming antiquated but still more than capable of what I want it to accomplish. Even though we have assigned different challenges to ourselves they are still challenges. With what we’ve learned so far we are going to put that knowledge to the test.

[MikePal]

Hi ET...there was a time when I got my first ML. an inline Pursuit, that I concentrated my range time on finding bullet/powder combinations to maximize velocity and accuracy. The problem became that the bullets I had selected, although hitting where I was aiming, weren't 'bang flopping' the deer. I didn't want to track deer into the deep bush after dark.

So I switched to a heavier soft lead bullet from PR Bullets in MB. Sacrificed some velocity and maybe a little accuracy to have a bullet that expended all it's energy inside the body. They tend to drop the deer in their tracks and I like being able to find the bullet in the hide that looks like a $0.50 piece.

I leave all my 'paper punching' accuracy efforts to my centerfires, when it comes to my MLs, they're more about my hunting needs.

[ET1]

MikePal

I hear what you are saying. We differ a little for our bullet choice. I used to shoot 250SST that also dropped deer quickly but their claim to fame was their shrapnel quality. Once they tore into the chest cavity they would break apart and shred the internal organs. Deer went down pretty quick.
My one fear is one day hitting bone (scapula) and having a cripple on my hands. So, I’m exploring the use of all copper bullets.

In my case accuracy out to 200yds is important to get the bullet where it needs to be to do its job towards a humane kill. Granted my kills have often been less than 100yds. But they’ve all been one shot one kill events.
There is no definitive answer for choice of bullets. Here a hunters experience dictates choice of bullet for the conditions they hunt.

[MikePal]

There is no definitive answer for choice of bullets. Here a hunters experience dictates choice of bullet for the conditions they hunt.

Exactly...

I haven't yet been able to confirm the catastrophic effects of the 510 gr .58 cal Minnie ball on a deer yet. I am assuming that with good shot placement, they will drop where they stand.