[HOGGHEAD]

I finally made it out to the front porch to shoot my new(to me) 36 caliber Southern Mountain Rifle that I bought used a couple of weeks ago. I picked up all my accessories, including a new range rod so I was ready to go.

I did not know for sure what load to start with, so I started with 30 grains of 3F BP, and a round ball with a .015 patch. I thought this load would be a good load to start with.

I have a 2" gong sitting about 50 yards from my front porch to shoot at with my 22 rifle for practice off the porch. So I took aim from an off handed sitting position , and whamo, I hit the gong with the first shot. The sights were dead on at 50 yards with this load. I was very happy with the results. So I ran a wet patch then two dry patches and reloaded. Next shot, whamo, I hit the gong for the second shot. This rifle is shooting dead on at 50 yards.

I realize a 2" gong is a pretty big target at 50 yards, but that is what I have off the front porch. So that is what I shoot.

I put several more shots down range, and my brother shot it as well. The rifle loaded easily on every shot and was busting the gong about every shot. So I think it is ready to go and bark a few squaks!!

I might shoot the rifle on a paper target before season, but I do not think it is necessary. If I can hit the gong at 50 yards then I think I can bark em pretty good with that rifle. But I probably will still do a little fine tuning.

I was going to buy a mold and cast some conicals for this rifle. But now I do not think I will cast any conicals for this rifle. I can not think of anything a conical will do at 50yards that a round ball will not do?? And I do not think I will be doing any deer hunting with this rifle. However iffin I am able to get out then the raccoons will be in for a hurtin!! Tom.

 

[great white hunter]

 

[410-er]

Good turkey gun.Get her sighted in at 25yds and head shoot those squirrels.You are right about the maxi.I have a mold for the 36 but like you said the RB will do just fine!

 

[BerksCoflinter]

Good shootin, Tom!

And, best wishes whackin' some limb bacon this fall in those, "West Virginia hills, how majestic and how grand".

I built a .36 cal. rifle using a 42" GM straight-sided barrel a couple of years ago, and using the exact load, it shoots better than I can shoot it! Eye issues have kept me from taking it for a squirrel hunt, but maybe this year.

I was born and raised just east of you along the Cheat River in a little cement town called Manheim. Hunting squirrels in the 1950's on Briary Mt. was our passion!

 

[Fleroo]

I realize a 2" gong is a pretty big target at 50 yards

I hope you meant 2'. If not, man am I severly outclassed on this site.

 

[Bunky]

I was think good golly 2" first shot at 50 yards---send this guy to Iraq-----War over in 1 hour! Even a 2' foot gong isnt bad for starters and his first shot. Tells me there was no flinching---Keep up the good work! By the way my family settled in Clarksburg and Nutter Fort in the 1700s. Still have family there---I love hunting there.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

After reading a couple of the posts I had my buddy go out and measure the gong. Actualy it is 2-1/2". Tom.

 

[Fleroo]

Wow. So you really are hitting a 2-1/2 INCH target at 50 yards with a brand new muzzy. THAT is quite impressive.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

The MZ is new to me(check out my title). But it is not a brand new MZ. I bought it from a custom builder who told me the previous owner had shot the rifle, just not alot. The custom builder did not know the exact load the fellow shot because he died, but he thought it was the load I started with. So it really wasn't the rifles first shot. And I got lucky by selecting the proper load.

However with a proper load I do not think that hitting a 2-1/2" target is that difficult at 50 yards?? I practice with my 22 rifles all the time. Probably 500 rounds or so every week. And the 36 caliber round ball is bigger than the 22 caliber bullet. So even if I hit the side of the gong it wll spin. So that probably opens the size up to 2-3/4". So personally I do not think that is that hard to hit. Come on over and we will shoot some off the porch. I have a couple of MZ's and 22's sitting right by the door.

Tom.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

If you are shooting a new-to-you flinter and got the lock down that good to avoid flinching right off, you are a heck of a shot. While I would agree that 2.5 inches at 50 yards is not that big a deal with a percussion gun of reasonable quality.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

It is a percussion rifle. Below is a link with pictures of the rifle. And I do practice alot. I also competed in silhouette shooting in the past. Big bore and Muzzle loader sil. shooting. Plus the good lord blessed me with great long distance vision. Tom.

http://www.claysmithguns.com/lefthand_perc.htm`


IMO I got a really good deal on this rifle. I have thought about having it switched to a FL ignition. It is probably an upcoming project. However it is about third in line for getting done. A flinter in this rifle would really be nice.

Now all I have to do is get out with it this fall and bark some squaks!! Tom.

 

[Fleroo]

OK, I thought it was a flinter, but I'll only drop my admiration by one single tick. Open sight, front-stuffer, 2.5" target..... still impressive.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Thank You. Tom.