Frontier .50 Dec 14th, pre-1840...

[RanchRoper]

Had the range to myself as usual, temperature about 22F today. Not much wind and was tempted to do some longer distance shooting with my Frontier percussion rifle, but I am trying to figure out the sights and have struggled a little. Fixed rear buckhorn sight and blade front sight. I have read that many file down the front sight, and I can see that may be the way to go.

Shot today at 25 yds only, 50 gn of Triple 7, .015 patch and .490 lead ball. Shooting from 1 knee. Once I got the elevation figured out, the last 3 went straight to the middle. 1st three were the low ones on the right. The bullseyes were with the front sight almost as high as the horns on the buckhorn rear sight. So some filing to do, but the good news is once I get it dialed in, this rifle is deadly.

I shot all of these without doing anything in between shots other than the odd dry patch. 9 shots total. Got home, cleaned, scrubbed and lubed with Ballistol. Checked down the barrel with a high power light, and it is shiny all the way to the little patent breech reflecting back at me. Pulled the nipple and cleaned it out too, blowing air through the flash hole. Pretty happy with the results today.

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Shoot safe, RR

[BigAl52]

I can see you arent having much fun with that rifle

[RanchRoper]

It is a hoot to shoot!

[North Country Gal]

You and that rifle do each other justice. It's a great match. Have to say, I really liked mine when I had it. My only issue with it was that it didn't fit in the gun safe.

[BigAl52]

Go slow filing that front sight down if you take to much off its not a good thing

[RanchRoper]

I can see how too a front sight would be a problem.... I will be very careful if I do it at all. Knowing where to put the front sight for 25 yds will help me at 50 as well. May just try it later this week before I do any filing.

...and yes it does not fit in the gun cabinet!

[JEBar]

I shot all of these without doing anything in between shots other than the odd dry patch. 9 shots total.

not surprised at all that you are getting it figured out .... nice target .... if/when you file the front site, go slow .... as you well know, cutting it down is one thing .... going to far and trying to add some back is a whole different matter ..

[RanchRoper]

Ya filing is not my first choice for sure. Would always rather learn to shoot the gun before any mods. We’ll see how 50 yds goes this week.

[fortyshooter]

Nice "tuning" target RR! How many rounds thru it now?

[RanchRoper]

9 today... maybe 20 or so?

[North Country Gal]

When I've needed to file down a front sight on a gun, I've always shot the gun enough, first, to decide which load I want to use as my primary load and at which distance. This is an important first step before even touching a file. Once that's done, I take a file to the range with me and do the file and shoot, file and shoot, a little at a time, until I have the sight where I want it. I know you're well aware of this RR, but I share this for the sake of others who may not be familiar with the process.

[RanchRoper]

Agreed, any filing is way off in the distance until I have put lots of lead through it. I would like this to be a 50-100 yd shooter mostly.

[Rifletom]

Excellent shooting as usual RR. That .50 came around quick.
Question: When filing down a front sight, what do you folks "touch" it up with when finished? Thanks.

[RanchRoper]

Good question...I am going to shoot again tomorrow and will see what I can get a 50 yd target to look like.

[BigAl52]

Excellent shooting as usual RR. That .50 came around quick.
Question: When filing down a front sight, what do you folks "touch" it up with when finished? Thanks.

You can buy bluing pens or cold blue will work to.

[Rifletom]

Excellent shooting as usual RR. That .50 came around quick.
Question: When filing down a front sight, what do you folks "touch" it up with when finished? Thanks.

You can buy bluing pens or cold blue will work to.

Ahh, simple as that. Thanks Al.

[RanchRoper]

I'm thinking maybe just tiny white marks on the rear buckhorn for lining up the front sight at whatever distance I am shooting. Maybe a Henry ladder sight is what's needed! That would look odd but hey, custom rifle....


* I actually spoke with Skinners and measured my rifle and their ladder would pop right in...hmmmmm, pretty sure I could smoke some 50-100 yd targets with that...


http://www.skinnersights.com/ladder-sights.html

[North Country Gal]

Same here on the cold blue or paint if I plan to paint it, anyway.

[RanchRoper]

So these little dovetail sight bases just drift out with some light tapping correct? Never changed one.

[JEBar]

* I actually spoke with Skinners and measured my rifle and their ladder would pop right in...hmmmmm, pretty sure I could smoke some 50-100 yd targets with that...

with your shooting ability, getting one is a NEED, not a WANT