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Something completely Different

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URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11691
Printed Date: March 28 2024 at 9:28am
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Topic: Something completely Different
Posted By: britrifles
Subject: Something completely Different
Date Posted: October 21 2021 at 4:26pm
The other rifle of Dad’s I shot while up visiting him in Canada was his beautiful Martini Henry Mk III.  This rifle looked as if it had never been fired. Dad bought it in the 1960’s and he never fired it.  The bore is pristine. 

My eyes are just too old for open sights now.  I just can’t get a consistent sight picture, particularly keeping the front sight aligned in the same place within the back sight notch each and every shot is just impossible for me.  

It gave my 90 year old Dad a real kick to watch me shoot it.  

Loads were my own 480 grain cast bullet handloads with 85 grains of Fg Black Powder.  They pack a real wallop.  

These are shot on the B-17 Target at 100 yards prone, per the Victorian Rifleman match rules over on the British Militaria Forum.  The best I could do was 93-1x; best 10 shots to count out of 13 shots fired. Every shot outside of the 10 ring was my fault.  








Replies:
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: October 23 2021 at 5:09am
I would've thought FFF powder would be the ticket,no?

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Loose wimmen tightened here


Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: October 23 2021 at 8:26am
That's a lovely rifle. Great that you had a fun day with your Dad! 

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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!


Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: October 23 2021 at 12:24pm
Hoadie, Fg is closer to the original powder granulation used in the .577-.450 cartridge.  The 85 grain charge of Fg under a 480 grain bullet has a pretty mean recoil with that light weight Martini rifle and no need for any more velocity at short ranges. 







Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: October 23 2021 at 10:11pm
that looks and sounds interesting , i think you did right well considering 


Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: October 24 2021 at 3:45am
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

Hoadie, Fg is closer to the original powder granulation used in the .577-.450 cartridge.  The 85 grain charge of Fg under a 480 grain bullet has a pretty mean recoil with that light weight Martini rifle and no need for any more velocity at short ranges. 







I shoot a .577 in my pattern '53 & I've always used FFF. Never considered FF.
Maybe it would make a difference for me, as well.

I'll hafta give it a try, I s'pose

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Loose wimmen tightened here


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: October 24 2021 at 6:16pm
i know nothing of these so im reading with interest , always wanted to get to the dark side a little - i do want to shoot some black one day soon , 


Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: October 25 2021 at 9:05am
The finer granulation will generate higher velocities with higher pressures.  I like to go easy on these old rifles and keep to the original service loadings.  


Posted By: Honkytonk
Date Posted: October 25 2021 at 9:26am
Different critter but I've always shot ffg in my .50 call Thompson Renegade as they don't recommend ffg for the above reason. I shoot a Hornady 385 gr Buffalo bullet and 90grs that seems to be a good combo.


Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: October 25 2021 at 10:28am
New production black powder muzzle loaders and breach loading cartridge rifles are somewhat a different issue, and you should follow the manufacturers recommendations for loading these.  

In my case, I’m shooting a 1870’s Martini Henry, so I stick with what the original loading was (as far as practicable).  The powder granulation used at that time falls in between the current F and FF granulation, so I stick with Fg, it produces slightly lower pressures.

I previously had a Ross rifle aperture sight installed on the Martini, and was able to get 2 inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards.  But with the open “V” notch rear sight, I’m just not able to get a clear sight picture.  


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: October 25 2021 at 7:22pm
the maker of my kentucky flintlock told me to use FFF but then it is a "new-old" rifle , yje alternative he offered was FF with FFF in the pan 


Posted By: Honkytonk
Date Posted: October 26 2021 at 5:48am
I do use fffg in my Ruger cap and ball pistol.


Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: October 26 2021 at 7:53am
I had a C/W Navy Colt. (I have since got rid of it - wasn't worth the hassel w/handgun laws here). But I used FFF in that...what a fun experience!

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Loose wimmen tightened here


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: October 26 2021 at 8:37pm
i have a replica of the confederate spiller & burr that i want to shoot , im guessing that just became more difficult with the end of US production of black powder - a while back it was US lead mfgring , im getting suspicious of government here again 



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