Your thoughts on this load, please.

[Stuart C.]

So please take a look over this load I’ve arrived at and let me know what adjustments you would make. I am currently getting about 7” groups at 200 yards. The last group showed some stringing in a ~10 oclock to 4 oclock  pattern of about 7” at 200 with a peep sight.

I think I can do better.

Rifle is Buffalo Classic. I have not reamed the throat.

With the ogive of my 405 gr cast bullet from Lasercast, the max COL I can get is 2.523 before hitting the lands.
405 gr bullet, .459 flat nose, no gas check
Case: Starline, crimped just enough to allow bullet to turn but not come out, basically right at the crimp line. The cases are not full length resized, but they do require the mouth to be expanded a bit to allow the bullet to be loaded without shaving/deforming.
Powder: 60 gr Swiss 1.5
Compression ~ .2
Wad: .03 veggie
Lube: SPG


Any comments appreciated! Thanks.

[tacklebury]

How long between shots?  My BC strings if I don't put about 3-5 minutes in cool temps or 10 to 20 minutes on hot days in between shots.  Do you have an O-ring under the forend to float it?  How tight are you torqueing your forend screw, should be just tight enough to hold in my findings.  Also, make sure you rest it on the frame just ahead of the trigger guard.  All these help keep a BC shooting tighter.    I always crimp mine using a Lee FCD and just tight enough it wont turn.  I'm getting about 6" groups at 350 yards.

Sorry, but 2 more thoughts.  If you aren't using a drop tube, you might try that.  It packs the powder more consistently.  Also, I've read that a lot of guys have better luck with grease cookies in lieu of the veggie or with it. 

[Stuart C.]

Great ideas, thanks.
Yes I use a drop tube.
I definitely don't wait that long between shots but I will give that a try. Between shots I just do one wet, two dry, check the spotting scope and shoot again.
Yes on the Oring. Maybe too tight.
I rest on the barrel ahead of the forend but will try the frame (it's just that I've seen other bpcr shoot well rested ahead of the forend)
The load seems ok??

[tacklebury]

Yep, pretty close to the BP's I have loaded.  I personally prefer FFFg due to smaller size kernels.  I think I get about 3 more grains in the case by volume that you are.  Mine are more Express Cartridges, by the old nomenclature. 

Sorry, one more thought.  Make sure your drop tube is long enough.  I started out short like 6" and it didn't do much.  I now have about an 18" with a funnel at the top and I pour the powder in along the edge of the funnel so it swirls down into the tube, then into the case.  I have had pretty good luck doing it that way.

[RPRNY]

Load seems good, good powder, good column. I do not find that black powder heats up a barrel anything like smokeless. So, while waiting may be worth a try, I can't see it.

I suggest going back to 100 yards and checking group size. If it tightens up to @3" or better, there are two avenues to pursue in my mind:

Slightly more compression and 65grs. What about primer? I use a magnum primer with 50 gr + charges but I have no empirical evidence that standard large rifle primers won't work just as well...

Operator error. I know I can't be very consistent at 200 with iron sights but you may be younger, be a better shot, have better eyes, or all of the above!

Barrel tension is always something to play with, as is hold position. I like a hold on black rather than 6 o'clock at those distances.

[Castaway]

Old post but a few things come to mind.  First thing I’d do is switch to a softer bullet. 60 grains sounds a bit light to me. I’d go more powder and keep your compression die where it is. Get rid of the veggie wad and use a waxed cardboard wad and put a newspaper “wad” on top of that.  You may want to try a heavier bullet

[Ranch13]

 With that 405 grain bullet you're going to need somewhere closer to 68 or 69 grains of the 1 1/2, .030 fiber wad , and wipe between shots. Blowtube will help keep the fouling under control if the temp is under 80 and the humidity 30% or more.