40-65 Rolling Block

dbm · Post by **dbm** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:29 pm

Well there's not a particularly enthusiastic bunch of black powder shooters here, or at least they're quiet!

Took my 40-65 Rolling Block out for a play on Sunday to try out a new bullet. Fired three groups with different powders/charges. Shooting was at 100m and fired prone with a wrist rest. Best group was with 62 grains Swiss #4 (1.5Fg) and measured 2.25" wide by 1.8" high. I'm quite pleased for a novice at handloading (usually I shoot muzzle loaders).

Some pilot error may have crept in too I think as I already spent about an hour and a half shooting a flintlock rifle when I started with the 40-65!

David

Post by **Niner** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:00 pm

Really tight groups with each powder charge. But lots of difference in placement. More than I would imagine. Interesting picture post......or maybe.... you weren't aiming at the center of the target with each group?

dbm · Post by **dbm** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:53 am

The aiming mark was being used as just that, a reference point. I wound the sights off for each group. I have a note of the windage and elevation for each group so will be able to centre them easily enough. It's just interesting tinkering at the moment seeing how tight groups I can shoot as I work up a load.

David

Post by **Niner** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:23 am

Thanks, that explains it.

stripperclip · Post by **stripperclip** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 3:21 pm

very good groups considering you spent over an hour with flash bang next to you face.

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:55 am

That great shooter and rifleman Gen. Julian S. Hatcher once said that every soldier should be taught basic marksmanship with a flintlock rifle, so as to learn to hold steady.

That's what happened. instead of the f/l putting you off ....it helped

Eoin.

dbm · Post by **dbm** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:35 pm

Could be something in that! I normally shoot percussion rifle, but borrowed my wife's flintlock for a change......

Only problem with these new-fangled breech loadery things is the pile of brass one ends up with at the end of the day for cleaning. I'm a bit worried about the safety aspect as well... not used to having a barrel with a hole at each end.

David

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:25 pm

The late Lyn Caldwell "The Father of Australian Muzzleloading" always used to say that the new-fangled breach loaders would never take off.

I'm going half way, with a Smith's carbine, which although designed as a breach loader and having no provision for muzzle loading is classed in NSW as a M/L because it has outside ignition. The powers that be got quite confused when I told them that it took a 'central fire' cartridge.

Beyond the powers of their computer.

Eoin.

belgmart · Post by **belgmart** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:44 am

I have the experience! With 40-65, I would use either #3 or #4, even #2 might work...

Do you size the case after shooting and cleaning? Fro my 45-70, I don't size, and seat the bullet into the rifling, preferably a tight borerider.. (could be a bit tricky with a RB, though... - bad for the thumb!) Other people have success with sized cases and neck tension so YMMMV.

Welcome to the other side of BP, hope to see you shooting the thing quite soon! Maybe I'll have to get out my Volunter too...

dbm · Post by **dbm** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:27 am

I have been playing with the Rolling Block on and off for about a year now. The only sizing I do is after loading I need to slightly neck size the case to hold the bullet in place.

I have been using the Lyman Snover bullet. I had some good grouping at 500 yards on the one chance at mid-range with the rifle. 600yds was not so good, but conditions were difficult.

I have been trying one of the NASA style bullets with it (groups shown above) and that shows promise! I can also get a lot more powder in the case. The Snover bullet I was shooting with 56gns Swiss #4. The best group above was with 62gns Swiss #4 and the new bullet which has a long bore-rideing section and only short amount in the case.

David

40-65 Rolling Block

40-65 Rolling Block

Pretty tight groups

Ok

Those BPCR's are also addictive, you know...