Many thanks to all those who helped when my 45-70 double was keyholing. As it turned out...the problem was the .458dia cast bullets. It shot .459dia 460gr cast bullets with gas checks fine.
Also shot 500gr Hornady RN well. They printed 5" apart at 50yds.
The Hornady 350gr RN printed 3" apart at 50yds. The gun seems to be responding to changes properly now with faster loads grouping tighter due to less time in the barrel / "recoil swing". With the 500gr jacketed slugs working now (5" spread @ 50yds), I think they should only get closer together when I rechamber to 450#2NE and bring them up to "working speed". I have not shot at 75 or 100yds yet to see how that effects it.
The front sight had to be moved way to the right to center the groups. Does someone make offset front blades that would bring my dovetail back into the base more? Its hanging out there about 1/8" and really bugs the crap out of me. Other than that, I love the gun. Doubles are so cool to shoot!
Thanks, Ghost

TG,

Glad to hear that things are looking up with your Pedersoli. I wouldn't sweat the group positioning right now. POI can change markedly with changes in bullet shape and weight, plus speed (even different powders can cause a shift in POI). Wait until you decide on the rechamber and finalize a load before making major changes, or you might have to go back to the original setup .

Jim

Timberghost,

Glad your rifle is printing better. Since the barrels are converging, the L/R barrels should be shooting closer together at 75 and 100. Also, the 450NE#2's long chamber will start the bullet further down the barrel, giving it less total time in the barrel and further tightening your group.

When I was looking at having MacKools do the conversion, he suggested a rear aperature sight. I'm sure if you have him or JJ at Champlin's do the work, either one will be able to align your sights. I'm lucky; mine seem to be lined up pretty good.

Good luck, and post again once you've done the conversion. Maybe I'll have mine done, too. My kids love shooting it as a light-recoiling .45-70, though. You're right, they're really neat rifles.

Good luck,

Steve

skl1 / mbogo375,
Thanks to both of you for the encouraging thoughts. I welcome all input on double rifles and the convergence of the barrels. This is my first of (hopefully) several in the future. I grew up shooting phesants in Kansas with a $100 Savage sxs shotgun, so they just feel natural to me. I will have MacKool do the rechamber in February 2005...tax return...I have 2 kids and an expensive young wife in collage. I am having a leather pad done as well. Everyone seems to use "Silvers" pads for the leather covers. Are these good ones? I have a Limbsaver on my .450 Ackley and think they are great, but I need this one to be shaped like a shotgun pad for obvious reasons.
As far as sights go, I will stay with the express sights. I just love them! It is interesting though that the POI will move side to side with different loads. I guess that this is, again, because of the barrel convergence?
I will post here the progress of this gun as it comes along.
Thanks for the help, Ghost