Recoil Therapy circa 1869

[Dave951]

Just had to get the roller out and send some big chunks of lead downrange. I was still engaged in some load development and had a pretty good load that would group well, then not and would vertical string. @Theodore Maynard was there and we got it sorted while Charlie sent rounds out of his original trapdoor Springfield. Conditions were windy, raining, cold and generally miserable but yeah, Charlie and I roll like that when it comes to shooting.

High tech sights ala late 19th century. Rifle is an original 1869 Rolling block in 50-70, the first centerfire cartridge used by the US military and a favorite of the buffalo hunters.



Annnnnd round sent. Note the sparks in the smoke



Charlie's original Trapdoor Springfield and yeah, he's really, really good with it.

 

[Windini]

When is/was the silhouette match?

 

[Dave951]

When is/was the silhouette match?

The Buffalo Match at PHA was called off due to rain, but Charlie and I decided to go shooting anyway. I wish there was a BPCR Silhouette match in NC cuz I'd be there.

The load for the roller has been great on windage but inconsistent on elevation and that can be attributed to several things. First off is powder column compression, next is grip on the rifle, then bullet issues. I changed the compression by .040 and added a bit of a roll crimp instead of a taper crimp. Vertical stringing issues seem to be under control as of yesterday. Conditions at the range mitigated against real accuracy with irons but I managed a 6in group at 200yd with an even radial dispersion instead of a vertical string. Mist and rain made even seeing the black something of a challenge and a couple shots were fired based on the position of the target frame in the front globe sight. I'm also pretty sure I'm close to a node point in barrel vibration. In the recoil pic, that's the extent of the gun rising in recoil meaning the node point is close. Just 3 in forward of that and the gun literally jumps upward during recoil. A heavier barrel would help but I like my roller as is and will just learn where the nodes are. Next experiment will be to change where the X sticks support the barrel. I'm going to try at 50% of barrel length and look a couple inches either side of that point. If the rifle doesn't jump at all, then one of the nodes has been positively located and group size should shrink dramatically.

 

[Windini]

Sorry to hear the Buffalo Match was called off. I was looking forward to your or @Theodore Maynard 's Triumph!