|
|
Post by shortmag on Oct 8, 2019 14:14:09 GMT -5
T/C Encore frame with a 28" Bellm Bergara barrel. 1x hingepin (was very difficult to get it to fit), some other Bellm internal trigger parts i had a gunsmith install when i got the rifle a few years ago (I've long since forgotten specifics)
Have been shooting BH209 110gr by volume over a Barnes T-EZ 250gr in whatever sabot it comes in. CCI 209 magnum primers. Shoots ok but I'd like this to be a 200 yard rifle and the consistency i need to build confidence at 200 is not there for me. 100 yard groups are 1.5-2.5" for 3 shots. 200 yards open up and aren't tight enough for me to be comfortable shooting a deer at that range.
Any tips, suggestions or proven loads from others? I'm also going to be replacing the 6x Leupold that the rifle currently wears with a 2.5-10 Zeiss scope. A little more magnification and a little finer crosshair.
Wrapped up my MZ season today with a coyote kill at 90 yards. Shot the best buck on our property last week minutes into legal shooting time. Starting friday the centerfire rifle comes out and i start tinkering with the muzzleloader in anticipation of next year.
Thanks in advance for any insights.
|
|
|
|
Post by buckdoehunter on Oct 8, 2019 14:44:52 GMT -5
Try the same combo only use a Harvester smooth black sabot. You could also try knurling your bullets and indexing the sabots.
|
|
|
|
Post by GMB54-120 on Oct 8, 2019 15:59:24 GMT -5
T-EZ sabot is just a blue MMP HPH-24 sabot. Harvester short black is worth a try but its nearly the same loaded OD. Its mainly shorter than the MMP sabot. If it feel even slightly loose i would try a tighter sabot like the MMP HPH-12. Those will be about .002-.003 larger than the T-EZ/HPH-24 sabot
|
|
|
|
Post by shortmag on Oct 8, 2019 16:42:33 GMT -5
Try the same combo only use a Harvester smooth black sabot. You could also try knurling your bullets and indexing the sabots. I don’t know anything about knurling bullets or indexing sabots. Can someone give me a primer on how to do that and what the benefits are? |
|
|
|
Post by encore50a on Oct 8, 2019 17:56:08 GMT -5
Are you chipping the carbon out of the flash channel?
Has your breech plug flash hole enlarged?
The Leupold VX6 line had a LOT of problems so something to think about.
Have you tried the TMZ bullets, which will be tighter with the supplied sabots?
|
|
|
|
Post by shortmag on Oct 8, 2019 20:15:02 GMT -5
Are you chipping the carbon out of the flash channel? Has your breech plug flash hole enlarged? The Leupold VX6 line had a LOT of problems so something to think about. Have you tried the TMZ bullets, which will be tighter with the supplied sabots? I keep flash channel clean with a drill bit (by hand) every 10-15 shots. Have not shot it enough for flash channel to enlarge. The Leupold is an FX3 6x42. But yes, Leupold issues is part of why I’m switching the scope I will give the TMZ’s a try. Thank you for the suggestion |
|
|
|
Post by encore50a on Oct 9, 2019 5:32:42 GMT -5
The reason I suggested the TMZ is that they always shot excellent from all my Encores and Pro Hunters. A guy I fished with had a used Encore that was given to him. The guy that had owned it didn't care for it properly and the barrel was pitted, BAD. He replaced it with a Bergara barrel. The TMZ loaded slightly tight in that barrel, but boy would it shoot accurately to 200yds.
|
|
|
|
Post by buckdoehunter on Oct 9, 2019 6:36:42 GMT -5
Try the same combo only use a Harvester smooth black sabot. You could also try knurling your bullets and indexing the sabots. I don’t know anything about knurling bullets or indexing sabots. Can someone give me a primer on how to do that and what the benefits are? Knurling is when you roll your bullet between two files to increase the O.D. of the bullet, it may help the bullet grip the sabot. indexing is when you line up the sabot petals to ride the lands of the bullet as much as possible. Ideally, two lands per petal with a 4 petal sabot and an 8 land bore. |
|
|
|
Post by GMB54-120 on Oct 9, 2019 9:19:19 GMT -5
TMZs will have a similar loaded OD as the HPH-12. Right around .506 Tight in that bore but ive had far better luck getting a boat tail to shoot good when they load tight. I shoot the Barnes 300gr TTSX/TAC-TX 458 in one of my rifles with sabots that are really tight. It shoots amazingly well with max loads of BH209. www.midwayusa.com/product/1010409543www.midwayusa.com/product/1010416159 |
|
|
|
Post by dannoboone on Oct 9, 2019 11:04:21 GMT -5
Next year's fawns will appreciate the coyote kill!  |
|
|
|
Post by shortmag on Oct 9, 2019 13:07:08 GMT -5
Next year's fawns will appreciate the coyote kill! Yep. And it’s my 4th coyote kill in the last 13 months on that property. All targets of opportunity while deer hunting |
|
|
|
Post by 10gaauto on Dec 1, 2019 23:02:53 GMT -5
All good suggestions, however I have found that my 50 cal shoot best with .458 bullets. Plus I get only fair accuracy with the Barnes solid copper bullets. I think a switch over to .458 bullets in black crush rib sabots would do wonders. Plus there is a large selection of .458 bullets to try. I have some barnes originals and they shoot good, however they are so heavily constructed I'm saving them for IF I ever get to go for moose. My preferred bullet is the Speer .458 X 300 grain flat nose. I have also shot the Hornady and Remington .458 but found the big hollow point bullets not as good on the terminal performance. This reflects my experience and opinion, others will differ. 10
|
|
