RB shooting probelm. 36 cal.

[Tinker]

Hello,

Maybe somebody here might can tell me what's going on with my little squirrel rifle. I've had a Pedersoli .36 percussion rifle for over a year. It was an unfinished kit and right after I got it shootingworthy it it was shooting dead on after an initial site adjustment (fixed sights) and powder patch combos work up. Now the first shot was always in or close to the bull at 25 yards. Following shots were there close too if I ran a spit patch down bore between shots. Accuracy would stray off some, but only if the bore got real cruddy.

I've noticed in the last 4 shooting sessions a change. First shot (from a squeaky clean bore) is in the bull, always. But any following shots are all low and right. As much as 2" out. Nothing has changed as far as patch, ball, powder, set trigger adjustment or lube. After this gremlin showed up again this weekend I decided to check myself with another rifle. Broke out the .22 rimfire, a Springfield M6 Scout. Now, if you know this rifle/shotgun it is not exactly what one would take to try and impress target shooters with at the range. It has probably one of the worst triggers in history. Crude sights, too. Anyway, I shot four shots . 3 went in to the black bull and 1 flyer were I flinched as the hammer dropped.

Have any of you had this happen? Solutions?

 

[mhdishere]

I'm not familiar with the rifle, but here are a couple possibilities:

Is it possible one of the barrel bands is loose? That would allow the barrel to shift after the first shot.

Did you bang the rifle at all, particularly on the muzzle? If you messed up the crown that would cause it to throw fliers.

Is the nipple in good shape? If it's getting worn or is dirty that could cause inconsistent ignition, especially after the first shot if it gets gunked up. Try picking it or even replacing it. Try running a pick thru it between shots.

 

[4v50 Gary]

How heavy is the barrel? If it is one of those light barrels, then I'm wondering if the "whip" when warmed is the source of the problem.

Jim Chambers mentioned in his lock assembly class that the .36 cal. barrels tend to act funny and no one knows exactly why. He recommends nothing smaller than .40 as he has seen no problems with the larger caliber.

 

[mec]

I ran into a thing with ffg that didn't occur with pyrodex. Two shots would hit close at 50 yards but the group would begin to spread a bit on the third shot. I had to run a wet patch down the barrel after each second shot.

This fouling buildup didn't occur with pyrodexRS

 

[Tinker]

MHD,

This particular rifle is a Pennsylvania styled "carbine". Looks like a short longrifle. I guess that's an oxymoron. :] Barrel is held at the back with a screw, at the muzzle with a brass nose piece and in the middle with a pin. No bands.

I haven't bumped it and I keep this thing clean as a whistle. Nipple looks like new.

Gary,

The barrel is 13/16". I don't think warming would be a problem. Checked that by staggering shots. Last shooting session I shot about every 15 minutes.

That Jim Chambers comment you mentioned is real interesting. I guess you could consider him an expert. I think he hangs at the American Longrifles forum sometimes. Will try to contact him. Bought it at DGW. I'll also contact them too.

MEC,

My loads from the get-go on this gun have mostly been fffg Goex. I've had so many ignition problems with subs in my sidelocks that I gave away a new can of P-RS. It does clean up well though.

 

[mhdishere]

Tinker,
Even without bands, make sure that everyplace the barrel is attached to the stock is nice and tight, again you don't want the barrel to shift.

Since the problem happens after the first shot it seems something is happening from that first shot that's throwing the others off. Something is shifting under recoil or something is getting gummed up by fouling.

When you clean it do you completely disassemble it? Meaning do you take the barrel off the stock to clean it or do you clean it in place? If you take it off that might explain why the first shot goes someplace the rest don't, that first shot settles everything into place.

It doesn't seem to me to be a design issue on the rifle since it didn't always do this. Something happened.

We're gonna get to the bottom of this!

 

[Tinker]

MHD,

I clean it real well. Lock, stock and barrel as they say. Breach end of barrel goes in a bucket of hot soapy water right after shooting. Mop, clean patches, bronze brush, mop, clean patches, clean patches till they come out clean, scalding hot rinse, dry patches and time to dry. When dry I follow up with a light coat of Remoil for storage followed by Remoiled patches down the bore again a week later just in case something leaches out of the rifling.

The only projectiles this rifle has seen are patched pure lead RB's so leading shouldn't be a problem. Never seen a blown patch either.

If I can find a solution I may realign the sights for low-right and not depend on the first shot. It groups fairly well at low-right, but it bugs the stew out of me that I'd have to do something like that. Especially when that first shot is always in a 1'' bullseye if I brace on something and don't flinch. I can understand it shooting low after the initial shot with the fouled bore and all, but that "right" bugs me.