OK, now as I get a .50 caliber rifle, where do I go next? How can I learn which load my rifle likes most without buying every single product on the market?
Sorry, you won't. The only way to find out what your rifle likes best is to shoot it and find out. Keep records. Every target you fire, mark on it the ball diameter, patch, powder type and volume and kind of patch lube.
Balls... I guess any .49 will do.
Unless it prefers .495 or ,498. typically, a tighter ball will work better than a looser, but a looser ball will load easier than a tighter.
Patches... Which thickness to start with? I have .15 and .20 easily available at store near me, and .18 as a mail order. Is .15 too little and .20 too tight? OR should any be all right and I'd get one of those .15 (or .20) and go shooting?
Again, try them each and see which the rifle likes. It is just impossible to determine the answer to your question on the computer, you gotta get out and shoot it.
Powder... I'd rather start with Black powder, not a Pyrodex (I heard some people said it's more corrosive than Powder). Is FFG or FFFG better place to start? I'd rather go with FFFG, since it's a hotter load for the same price and I might as well load less powder per shot. Are there any advantages for FFG though?
Agreed, black powder is where it is at. Synthetics should only be employed in a case of not being able to obtain the real thing. Ffg vs Fffg is an age old debate. And again, the answer is to got out and find out the rifle's preference by shooting it. I prefer the coarser grade of powder as it seems to put less stress on the rifle.
So, please tell me if I am correct or not.
When I am getting to know a new rifle I will dedicate a day at the range. I take a supply of targets with me, a Sharpie to write with, a pound of powder, a full bag of patches and a box of round ball and some patch lube, plus cleaning supplies, a measure marked in 5 grain increments and a good range rod. I like to post the targets at 25 yards for two reasons, one is lack of atmospheric problems with short range shooting and two, my eyes see the target better at that range.
So, starting with a clean rifle that you have popped a couple of caps through to clear any oil out of the passageways, load the rifle with one grain of powder for each caliber. So, in a .50 cal rifle, set the measure at 50 grains and load the rifle. This is going to be a test for a particular ball patch lube combo, so do not change any of the other variables. Shoot a three shot group at the target, off a solid bench rest. Don't worry about sight settings at this point, unless you are not on the paper. If not, adjust the sights to bring it on paper. So, you have the first target shot with three rounds. Retrieve it and post a fresh one. Mark the target what the load was. Some folks will also record the wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and what they had for breakfast(if spit patching). At this point, I would wipe the bore and pop another cap.
Ready for round two. Increase the volume of the measure by five grains. You are now at 55 grains for your .50 cal rifle. Fire another 3 shots, retrieve, post, record, wipe barrel, etc.
Round three. Increase the charge to 60 grains, etc.
Round four, increase the charge to .65 grains, etc.
Repeat this process up to the maximum charge advised by the manufacturer of the rifle.
OK, so now you have a collection of perforated targets to spread out in front of you. As you are looking at them, you will see that at some point the grouping will start to tighten up. They will get smaller and smaller until at one point, they will start to open up again. Say that is at 80 grains. So, your deduction is that at 80 grains of Ffg with a .015 patch, moose milk lube, CCI Magnum caps and GOEX FFG powder under a .490 ball, you have the most accurate load for the rifle.
Maybe.
The next step is, are you happy with that grouping? If so, you are done. Don't ever change your combination. When you open a new can of powder, shoot a test group to make sure you are still where you want to be. If you are not pleased with the results of your range session, then it is back at it with supplies to change ONE variable. Say you want to try a thicker (or thinner) patch. Go for the gusto, do your test firings again with that ONE variable changed. Are the results better or worse? Repeat as necessary.
The worst thing that you are going to do with this process is spend a day or two at the rifle range and get to know your rifle. Not a bad deal.
Enjoy
John
