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Post by BASSHAWK on Oct 30, 2023 6:18:07 GMT -5
I have a Hankins Encore build with a 27” Brux barrel. I recently replaced the scope for one with more magnification. I went to the range this past weekend to get it sighted in and had some issues. I had sized several bullets before I went to tje range and the first load stopped about 12” down. I had to take the gun apart to get that bullet out to start all over again. Since I had sized all of the bullets to the same size as this one, I went ahead and tightened the sizing die and resized the bullets a little smaller. This made the bullets snug, but not tight. I shot at the 25 years range and got the scope on paper. Move out to the 100 yard range and didn’t hit the paper at all. Regroup and add some targets to find where I am hitting. Finally get a hit way high. Adjust the scope and now I’m way low. Shoot a few more times and notice some of the bullets a key holing and some are not. I could not get the scope anywhere close to sighted in either. No consistency other than bad. Shooting Hornady 250gr FTX .45 bullets over 65gr of IMR 4198 with HIS ignition. This load has historically been a tack driver. I’m thinking the scope might be bad out of the box. Thoughs???
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Post by dennis on Oct 30, 2023 7:17:06 GMT -5
When I have had keyhole I used a wad and it corrected it. I have also got a bad lupy scope out of the box. Try a known good scope to confirm.
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Post by BASSHAWK on Oct 30, 2023 8:43:02 GMT -5
What type of wad would you suggest? Do I need to size the bullets even smaller to accommodate the wad? Am I pushing the short FTX Bullets too fast for them to stabilize?
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Post by yoderjac on Oct 30, 2023 10:41:19 GMT -5
My Hankins Encore .45 seems to like Pitman 275 gr bullets sized so that I can push them down the barrel with very little pressure after the barrel has been fouled. I typically run a patch over a brush down the barrel one time after shooting it. I'm also use 65 gr of 4198. You don't mention the scope brand. Smokeless are known to be hard on scopes. I did have some initial issues with my Leupold but it turned out that I had bumped it and one of the QR locks had come loose. Once I tightened it all was good. I have had lower end scopes on center fire rifles fail internally.
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Post by BASSHAWK on Oct 30, 2023 10:54:58 GMT -5
The original scope was a Burris Fullfield 3-9x50. The new scope is a Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16x50 w/30mm tube. I would hope that 2 shots from the muzzleloader would not have killed a brand new scope, but I know it happens. I’m using the 6 screw bases with Warne rings. I also used Warne rings in the original setup.
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Post by smokelessk on Oct 30, 2023 12:28:58 GMT -5
What type of wad would you suggest? Do I need to size the bullets even smaller to accommodate the wad? Am I pushing the short FTX Bullets too fast for them to stabilize? Wool wad is what most use when shooting with wads. Myself included. See what kind of groups you can get at 25 yards. If everything pretty much isn't touching, or a called flyer, then there is something going on. Is the scope base bedded? |
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Post by buckeye68 on Oct 30, 2023 13:07:06 GMT -5
A bad scope will not make a bullet keyhole.
A bad scope will not hold POI.
Here is what I would do if I was in your situation.
I would order some 275 Pittman’s and a bag of wool wads.
While I’m waiting for bullets to arrive I would remove the scope and check the rail to make sure the screws are torqued at the correct inch pounds. If the rail isn’t bedded, now would be a good time for that to happen. Check your rings and caps to make sure they are tight before you remove them. While your scope is off I would clean the barrel and plug. Reinstall your original scope that you know is good.
Now that your barrel is clean, reset your die for the 275 Pittmans. Sized one bullet to make sure the go down the barrel very easy but not fall down the barrel. After your barrel is fouled in, you’re happy with the die setting and your hitting paper, shoot 3 shots without a wad and 3 shots with a wool wad.
This should tell you everything you need to know. If all good and it’s repeatable, reinstall your new scope to see if it’s good or bad.
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