Frontier .50 Feb 18th, pre-1840

[RanchRoper]

Range day! Weather warmed up to 27F with a Chinook wind blowing. That wind always warms things up every winter. This time last week was -35F with a wind chill of -60. What a difference a week makes.

Shooting my Pedersoli Frontier .50 cal, played with a couple of different powder charges today. The powder is Triple 7 BP substitute. Cleans up easy with water, and can get it online as it is classed like smokeless powder not an explosive. Still makes lots of smoke. Also it is recommended to use 15% less than what you would shoot with other subs or real BP. It is very lively powder. Real nice to use.

A little backstory: this rifle shot low out of the box. I was struggling with the fixed primitive rear buckhorn, and the front sight is a tall blade. So in my frustration I quickly ordered a Skinner ladder sight similar to my Henry 1860. I was doing ok with it, better in fact, and was able to get some groups. However, the mule-stubborn oddball historically correct part of my brain was ticked off that I changed out the sight. So in typical Gemini fashion I changed my mind and went back to the original factory buckhorn. It's staying that way. I am challenging myself to learn to use it. It still shoots low but I am adjusting.
I have since ordered a shorter front blade from Dixie Gun Works that is 1/4" shorter and should make a world of difference. Either that or I file the front sight down but that's Plan C. Anyhow, I LOVE shooting this rifle.

.490 lead ball
.015 pre-lubed patch
50 grains by volume Triple 7
25 yds, off hand
Took a few to get it to start grouping

25 yds 50 gn T7.JPEG.jpg (81.44 KiB) Viewed 991 times

Same as above but 55 grains of T7, noticeable difference in power and recoil, but manageable, and LESS rounds to get on target better I think.

25 yds 55 gn T7.JPEG.jpg (70.72 KiB) Viewed 991 times

Hope you enjoyed the little report, shoot safe, RR

Feb 18th 21.jpeg.jpg (42.71 KiB) Viewed 991 times

[Steve51]

Looks like good shootin to me. For me, if shootin low, I would file front sight down where needed. Then if I wanted a new front sight, I would have an idea of the height of needed to order. I would probably just forget ordering one and be satisfied with the filed down original.
GOOD SHOOTIN!

[BigAl52]

It will come with time. Looks good. Im sure glad to hear you love that rifle. Somehow I knew once you tried it you would love it.

[North Country Gal]

I do respect and understand your reluctance to grab file and go to work on that sight, RR, but as I've mentioned, before, it really is no big deal once you've done it on a couple of guns. Anyway, great shooting as always.

[RanchRoper]

I will wait for the lower front sight to arrive. I think that will get me to where I can use the sight picture to achieve the distances I shoot at. I like this little diagram, it helps me to figure it out. Right now I am using halfway between B & C to shoot 25 yds.

Using-the-Peephorn.jpg (31.78 KiB) Viewed 960 times