quote:

Originally posted by tomclink:
Hello double rifle folks. I am new to this forum and double rifles. Wanted to say "hello" and share my first shooting experience with my new Sabatti 45-70.

I was very careful to pick out a gun with no evidence of the muzzle crowns being molested. Also, my gun's factory regulation target showed only two shots. I assumed this was a left and right pair, even though the target is not so labelled. The "group" was just over an inch and point of impact was centered on the target. I realize a two shot "group" is of no statistical significance, but this target did encourage me. Also, I thought maybe there just being two shots meant there had been no "regulation" beyond that done when the barrels were first manufactured. I also purchased a box of the Hornady 325 grain Leverevolution ammo, the same as the gun was regulated with.

Took the gun to my range today and fired a total of 10 rounds of the Hornady ammo - five rounds from each barrel. From a rest at 50 yards, the left barrel grouped 0.99 inches and the right barrel grouped 0.82 inches. I was most pleased with those results. The groups were about 5 inches above the point of aim even holding the front bead as deep in the rear "V" as I could. However, that is a problem that is relatively easy to fix. But, if all 10 shots were taken as one group, it measured 5.75 inches. The left barrel grouped to the left and the right barrel to the right. No crossing and the elevation of the left and right groups was the same. Average velocity was 1948 fps with a standard deviation of 24 fps.

Sure did not look anything like the factory test target. Am I wrong to expect a rifle in this price range to be better regulated than this? I sure cannot complain about the accuracy of each individual barrel, but I expected better regulation than this especially in view of the factory target.

I am a handloader of long experience, including loading for a number of single shot and lever guns chambered in 45-70 so I have a lot of options there. I have not yet tried handloads since I wanted to see how the gun shot with the factory regulation loads. Sabatti warns about handloads voiding the warrenty as well, so that was another consideration.

I have sent Cabelas and USSG an email reporting my results and asking for recommendations. We will see what they have to say. Grinding on the crowns is not an option for me. I have spent too many years being careful to avoid crown damage from cleaning, etc. to allow that. This particular gun looks really nice and its individual barrels are quite accurate. I sure would like to find a way to keep it, but with a little better regulation. Do you think handloads might be a solution?

Glad to be a member of this forum and the DRSS, even if my first outing with a double was a bit disappointing. If there is interest, I will try to keep everyone posted on how this turns out.

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

quote:

Originally posted by tomclink:
Thanks to all for the comments and advice. I am headed to my range tomorrow with an assortment of handloads using 300 grain Remington JHP's and SAECO cast 350 grain FPGC bullets. I will modify my shooting position to make sure I am the only thing actually touching the rifle. I will also reshoot the Hornady factory loads using the new position.

Mike, you are correct. The factory regulation target says it was shot with the Hornady 325 Leverevolution ammo. These rounds are loaded in short brass using bullets with a flexible tip and spitzer shape.