10 Years ago, when Colorado offered their one time only point splitting scheme, my buddy and I cashed in some of our points and went muzzle loader back pack elk hunting in unit 66. We hunted too hard, lost a lot of weight, and brought home nothing but a coyote. That's right, after missing 3 bull elk, my buddy shot a coyote on the last day. We were used up.
Anyway, we finally caught up to the point creep, and drew the same license. We still have all the GPS way points. Water, wallows, etc.
Last time my Encore, wearing a Tasco scope for load development only, shot a 1.5" five shot group at 100 yards with 95 grains 777 lit by a low power Remington primer, pushing 405 grain Powerbelts. I hate that 777. Part way through the hunt, we had to take my gun apart, and lube the trigger with Chapstick, because it was so corroded, I could barely pull it.
This time, I was hoping to use Blackhorn 209 and a better bullet. Nothing is working. Federal 209A primers now seal sooo much better than the Remingtons that leaked soot all through my action. I've cleaned the flash hole with a 1/8" drill in the back and torch nozzle cleaners in the front.
First I tried the Hornady 350Gr FPB, then 405 grain Powerbelts. Terrible. Then I cut off the QLA, recrowned, and tried the Federal 270Gr BOR Lock bullets. Initially, they seemed to get progressively better as I increased the powder charge up to 120 Grains (volume). I thought I had 2" groups, but today I went out to confirm, and got crap. Often, I get two close, and a third 8" away.
The scope is an old 6.5 X 20 Leupold. Can this scope take this punishment? It's given me .5 MOA with a custom 6mm AI, but doesn't seem properly responsive turret changes.
It was hot today. 85 degrees. I tried cutting the powder a little, but still bad.
My buddies gun which was highly suspect last time is putting three 338 Gr Powerbelts into a 2" triangle. I'll try them next, but they are definitely not my first choice. I'm open to recommendations, except that now that I've cut off the QLA, the Hornady's are a pain to load.
Anyway, we finally caught up to the point creep, and drew the same license. We still have all the GPS way points. Water, wallows, etc.
Last time my Encore, wearing a Tasco scope for load development only, shot a 1.5" five shot group at 100 yards with 95 grains 777 lit by a low power Remington primer, pushing 405 grain Powerbelts. I hate that 777. Part way through the hunt, we had to take my gun apart, and lube the trigger with Chapstick, because it was so corroded, I could barely pull it.
This time, I was hoping to use Blackhorn 209 and a better bullet. Nothing is working. Federal 209A primers now seal sooo much better than the Remingtons that leaked soot all through my action. I've cleaned the flash hole with a 1/8" drill in the back and torch nozzle cleaners in the front.
First I tried the Hornady 350Gr FPB, then 405 grain Powerbelts. Terrible. Then I cut off the QLA, recrowned, and tried the Federal 270Gr BOR Lock bullets. Initially, they seemed to get progressively better as I increased the powder charge up to 120 Grains (volume). I thought I had 2" groups, but today I went out to confirm, and got crap. Often, I get two close, and a third 8" away.
The scope is an old 6.5 X 20 Leupold. Can this scope take this punishment? It's given me .5 MOA with a custom 6mm AI, but doesn't seem properly responsive turret changes.
It was hot today. 85 degrees. I tried cutting the powder a little, but still bad.
My buddies gun which was highly suspect last time is putting three 338 Gr Powerbelts into a 2" triangle. I'll try them next, but they are definitely not my first choice. I'm open to recommendations, except that now that I've cut off the QLA, the Hornady's are a pain to load.
