Hi Guys,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to bring you up to date on my dilemma about my double rifle shooting high. Well, after getting lots of coaching and input from all of you about what could have been my problem, and what I could do to fix it, I decided to go back to the "drawing board" and start all over with my shooting techniques and style before actually making a change to the gun.

Boy am I glad I did!!!!

So, for those of you who don't have a clue about what I'm writing about, I'll fill you in with just a sentence or two. I was having problems getting my double 45-70 to shoot at POA. Instead I was grouping 4, 5, or 6 inches high. Well, I addressed this on the board here and as you can see below in the 41 responses I got, the topic got lots of feedback and input.

Well, now I've got some good news and some pictures of my new targets.

I started out shooting the rounds that the gun was regulated with. They are Hornady 325 grain FTX Leverevolution "gummy tips". I actually started real close and slowly walked my way back away from the target. I fired four rounds at 10 yards, then walked back to 15 yards and fired two more rounds. I then walked back to 25 yards and fired 2 more rounds. Then I walked back to 50 yards and fired 4 rounds. All for a total of 12 rounds.

I was shooting in my back yard at "home-made" targets. I shoot at 8 inch paper plates stapled to a large piece of cardboard. I simply draw a two inch circle in the middle of the plate, put a cross thru it and then start shootin!!

Well, as you can see from this picture of the plate, my group was real good. All twelve rounds hit inside three inches, and I shot all of them standing OFF HAND, without a support of any kind. I used a fine bead with my front bead sight deep in the V of the rear sight and I got greater results than I ever expected from this gun. It shot real good before this, but now I am really impressed!!!!

Here's the target......




Well, I was so impressed with that group, I broke out some of my reloads to try them. I started with 300 grain Remington hollow points loaded with 40 grains of 5744. I think they are shooting around 1800 fps. I fired 2 rounds at ten yards, 4 rounds at 25 yards, and 4 rounds at 50 yards, all OFF HAND, standing without a rest. This group began to spread out a little, but I'm positive from the results that it was my doing that caused the spread of the group. I was holding the gun real good, but at 50 yards off hand, I was a little wobbly. So, my spread got a little bigger. One round hit about a half inch above the plate and one round hit about an inch below the plate, but again, I still think this was my fault and not the gun. As you can see in the picture of the paper plate, it still hammered the center circle.

Here's target #2...






Ok, so after all that, I started getting cokey... I decided to pull out some of my rounds that I loaded this past fall for an elk hunt I went on with my Shiloh Sharps #3 Sporter. I loaded up some Hornady 350 grain round nose with 50 grains of Reloader 7. The published data says they are moving around 1900, but I know opinions may vary. So, I dropped a couple in the gun and went wild.....

This time I fired 2 rounds at 25 yards, 2 rounds at 50 yards, 2 rounds at 60 yards, and 2 rounds at 75 yards, all off hand, standing, and without a rest. I couldn't believe the accuracy of this load. Now, before I go any further, I've gotten some feedback on these rounds and some people believe they are a little hot to be shooting often. Well, I don't plan on shooting them very often, believe me. They are stout, but deadly accurate and effective.

One round hit one inch above the plate. One round hit about a quarter of an inch to the right of the plate, but all the rest hit the plate!!!! Some hit right in the center...those were the ones I shot at 25 and 50. They began to open up a little more when I got further out. Again, this is because of the lack of a rest and the fact that by now, I was getting tired. (need to work out a little huh?) Anyway, I got great results with this load.

Here's the picture of this group.....







Now I have to add that I cannot take all the credit for these results. I did alot of research, reading, and getting input and feedback from great people like you guys who helped me along with all my little issues. I must say these boards are a wealth of information and I am trully greatful for all the input everyone gave me on here.

I now feel much better about my gun, and of course, I won't have to go doing anything to change the gun any. However, I still keep playing with the idea of having an adjustable rear peep sight on it. If I had that, I could make adjustments to it when ever I changed the loads to hunt with. But, from what I've learned from this experience, I don't think I need to worry much. If I can't kill a deer or a hog with the loads I just mentioned above, then I need to stop hunting.

Again, I want to thank all of you who gave me all the guidance and help. You guys are great. If I was close enough to you, I'd buy you all a sassperrilla or some other cool drink of your choice!!!

Well, I guess that's it for now.

You guys take care!!!

Well done. Good to hear.

I think you have a real winner.

.

4570NUT

May I suggest that you shoot at 2 seperate identical targets a couple feet apart. Shoot the right target with the right barrel and the left target with the left barrel. Only way to know for sure which hole was from which barrel. You need to know if they are crossing.