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Finally got a chance to take the P62 to the range with the new reproduction rear sight. Shot 8 rounds of .575 Minie over 50gr 3X powder; three hits. Started with two misses as the rifle shoots very high and a little right. I alternated hit/miss afterwards - frustrating not to hit consecutively. I'll get some .577 and try again.
T
In a very long barrel you are using a very light charge of an excessively fast powder (if I am understanding 3X correctly). The object is to hit the target, not save powder. Try using Swiss 2f (=No.3) and a charge of about 65-70 grains. That should make better use of the barrel length for a smoother acceleration with, hopefully, better results. I don't know quite how to put it scientifically, but giving the bullet an unnecessarily sharp initial whack with a fast powder sets up Bad Vibrations that shake the bullet all over the landscape when it finally exists the muzzle. And I hope you are using a deep-base bullet with a solid skirt. Some moulds cast skirts too thin, that are blown askew when the bullet exits, and the effect on accuracy is disastrous.
Take a look at my tests with the Hannoverian Pickelgewehr for the reasoning applied and the results achieved.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=49231
Current batch: .575x512gr. (pic 1). Ordered batch is .577x492gr. (pic 2). Also, perhaps, it is British proofed '25' instead of '24' for out of spec/rebarreled.
T
"Some moulds cast skirts too thin, that are blown askew when the bullet exits, and the effect on accuracy is disastrous."
Looking at the cast bullet on the left, I think that could be your problem. Turn up another plug with the skirt a touch thicker. In other words you make a copy of the plug, and turn it down so that it casts a thicker skirt.
Take a look at my tests with the Hannoverian Pickelgewehr for the reasoning applied and the results achieved.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=49231
It took me 3 tries to get the right thickness!
---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:24 AM ----------
"Also, perhaps, it is Britishhttps://www.milsurps.com/autolinker/images/link6.gif proofed '25' instead of '24' for out of spec/rebarreled."
Caliber/gauge 25 is correct.
If you get round to casting, make sure you use the purest lead you can find. Try to recover a bullet or two and check the skirt.. blowing the skirt on a 3 band is not usually the problem - getting a good engrave is usually the issue! We generally use Swiss No2 FFFg for the P53 in UK.
As you are probably aware.. your gun was not made at RSAF Enfield - it would have been assembled from parts bought in from the London and Birmingham gun trade at the workshops that used to exist at the Tower of London...
Best results with my 2 band have been with 60gr ffg Goex and the discontinued Hornady Great Plains bullet. I just have to remember to hold the tip of the front sight as far left in the rear "V" to be centered up windage-wise. Having that top band of the bullet engage the rifling at the muzzle worked wonders even though the skirt is very thick. Once started, it loads easily for quite a few shots.
Wondering if the Lee REAL bullet will do OK, but haven't been forced to try yet, as there's some few Hornadys still on hand.