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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Black powder 250's (Read 11196 times)
gunlaker
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Black powder 250's
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:51am
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There have been a lot of posts regarding perfect targets, 250's, etc.

My interests are traditional rifles using black powder as a propellant.  Have there been any 250's shot with black powder using traditional rifles?

If not, is there a record somewhere of the highest score for a traditional rifle using BP?

Thank you,

Chris.
  
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CaryT
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #1 - May 22nd, 2013 at 10:56am
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Good question Chris.
I am with you on the BP trail and was wondering the same thing.  Hope someone has this info.
Cary Cheesy
  
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SSShooter
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #2 - May 22nd, 2013 at 5:42pm
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That makes three of us going for BP. Would also like to know the records for same.

Will be using BP at Chris' Columbia Schuetzen matches the first weekend of August at Thurmont, MD in my 38-56, as will my spotter in his 38-55. We will stick with modern ammo for the .22LR and am unsure about the 25-20 WCF (mainly as it likely will not be finished by then).
  

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frnkeore
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #3 - May 22nd, 2013 at 7:08pm
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There are no BP records that I know of in ASSRA on the 25 ring target, either straight or duplex.

There are some individual club records, at least on the west coast. To my knowlege, ASSRA has never had a class for BP other than in their duplex Long Range rules. I don't really know if it is even shot on the 25 ring target but, I don't think so.

WSU would probably be your best bet but, I think their shooting is OH and gongs but, again, I don't really know  Smiley  Smiley. Maybe a WSU member will chime in.

Frank
  

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JackHughs
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #4 - May 22nd, 2013 at 7:51pm
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I'm not aware of any ASSRA BP records but, once upon a time, our local Club had a well-attended BP benchrest match where we shot paper targets at 100 and 200 yards.  Scopes were allowed but the rifles were all "traditional" as most participants were also BPCS shooters.

This match ended in the early 2000's and, at that time, a really good BP rifle could hold one and 1/2 MOA with iron sights and not do really any better with a scope.

As the ASSRA 25-ring is .75 moa, it's not likely that any BP rifle of that era shot a 250.  However, newer bullet designs, lubes, and loadings may have changed that.

BP ASSRA sounds like a fun activity.  Good luck and tell us how it turns out.

JackHughs
  

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gunlaker
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #5 - Dec 20th, 2013 at 3:40pm
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I'm finding that shooting the the #52 stock with the standard schuetzen buttplate to be a challenge from the bench.   I'm starting to get it figured out, often I'd get flyers and they were caused by the upper part of the hook being disturbed by my shoulder.   

I'm a long ways from shooting a target that would score a 250, but yesterday I managed, out of 5 shots at 200m,  three touching in a 1" x-ring, and one just outside of the  x-ring for a total spread of one inch.  They would have all been in the 25 ring on a regulation target.   The other shot was a flyer, definitely outside of the 25 ring Smiley.   This performance, although a long way off, makes me think that the rifle is capable of it.  I just need to continue to improve.

I aborted the target after a fellow set up beside me with a muzzle braked .338 Lapua.

My rifle is a CPA 52 in .38-55 shooting a breech seated Hoch bullet using Swiss 1.5.

Chris.

  
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Mick B
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #6 - Dec 20th, 2013 at 4:49pm
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For what it's worth the best 5 shot group I have had out of my CPA Stevens at 100 meters using black powder is .590" , conditions were very good at the time with only a very light breeze. The load was a Paul Jones Spitzer tapered bullet of approximately 322gr ( 20-1 ) breech seated .075" ahead of a case containing 62 gr of PP Wano.
The best the rifle has done using fixed ammunition is 1.3" at the same distance with a Baco bullet that looks like a small Postell bullet, the powder charge in this instance was 50gr of the same powder. 
Ten shot groups average around 2.5" all else being the same. The rifle is fitted with the normal silhouette stock and fired off the bench without the use of wind flags.
Mike.
  
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #7 - Dec 20th, 2013 at 4:55pm
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Quote:
they were caused by the upper part of the hook being disturbed by my shoulder.  ... 
My rifle is a CPA 52 in .38-55
Chris - call the Shuttleworth's and have a silhouette butt stock put on your rifle. When I shoot bench rest - the Schuetzen stock stays in the safe
  
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #8 - Dec 20th, 2013 at 5:16pm
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Am talking without much bench rest experience however seems to be BP as a propellant is not a negative & has the potential to shoot the same score as smokeless powder.

From what I have seen of 250's they require a well handled Rifle set up properly for bench shooting. Powder is one of variables way down on the list. Only real limitation I can see is the  need to wipe clean between shots. Slow and deliberate may be an advantage not disadvantage

Will also agree  about 1 1/2 moa is the normal BPCR set up's potential. However limit is imposed by the sights and stock not the powder

Boats
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #9 - Dec 20th, 2013 at 10:39pm
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I might see if Gail can set me up with a single prong buttplate.  I do want to see how much I can get out of it with the existing setup though.

I agree with the sights being a factor.  My rifle has an 18x Unertl on it which doesn't hurt.  I think recoil is a significant factor with blackpowder.  The less the rifle moves on recoil the easier it is to shoot well. 

I know that a five shot group that looks good is nice, but a long ways from a ten shot group in competition.  I do have an advantage in that we often have dead calm wind conditions at my range.

We'll see how things progress Smiley

Chris.
  
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #10 - Dec 21st, 2013 at 8:18am
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maybe I'm missing something as a newcomer to this sport ............    I'm failing to understand why, other than strictly for the sake of tradition, one would choose BP over smokeless when given the choice. I am honestly looking to become enlightened as I have always been a curious experimenter and am on the brink of working with a traditional cartridge. Thanks.
  

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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #11 - Dec 21st, 2013 at 9:29am
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In answer to the original question I have a quote from the 1899 H.M. Pope catalog of Pope Rifle barrels. In it Pope writes "I have before me a good muzzle loading group.32 cal., 10 shots, 200 yards. On German ring target it counts 250." I must assume that this was shot with a duplex load of powder but still shows some of the potential. I would also note that in the 1890's at Walnut Hill there were possibles being shot on the Standard American target from muzzle and elbow rest so frequently that the target was redesigned to add an 11 and 12 ring inside the, up until then smallest unit, the ten ring.
« Last Edit: Dec 21st, 2013 at 9:58am by Quarter_Bore »  
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QuestionableMaynard8130
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #12 - Dec 21st, 2013 at 9:33am
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some enjoy the challenge of traditional shooting, we all seem to start by deliberately limiting ourselves to single shot rifles. we all choose the limits within which we find enjoyment, I started shooting nothing but benchrest but have gotten more and more involved in offhand shooting---a VERY clear self-limitation in my case.
Others enjoy the tradition by using BP or only iron sights, or a specific type or style of arm.  Whatever tickles you and makes your inner child giggle.

It is my belief that there have only been two areas where ASSRA mandated BP and would have records for it  One was the BP component of the old "all-american" match the other was the "traditional Buffalo" match.   I do ot think that a 250 has been recorded for either.

There is no reason why BP could not be used in any match, unless possibly it might run afoul in 22 rf categories.   I am sure that if anyone shot a 250 in ASSRA-affiliated competition we would soon hear of it and celebrate it accordingly even though we have no special award or category for it. 


  An analogy might be Wayne Vietz's 250 in one of the Quarter-bore matches.  The first 250 shot with a 25 cal in ASSRA competition.   While shot in the !/4 bore competition it was also shot on an ASSRA Schoyen match target in an ASSRA match. 
It could and in my opinion should have been BOTH an 1/4-Bore 250 AND a regular Schoyen 250---it may well have been I just do not remember the details.
  

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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #13 - Dec 21st, 2013 at 9:52am
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DW,
Yes, Wayne won first place in both the Quarter Bore Match and the Schoyen match with that same target.
  
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Re: Black powder 250's
Reply #14 - Dec 21st, 2013 at 10:11am
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