Trouble sighting in

Hey all, as I mentioned in s recent post, I am very new to the muzzleloading world. I have the tc omega with bushnell trophy doa scope. Took it to the range twice so far. First time was for an hour so I really didn't get to far, and today I was out there for almost 4 hours. I started at 50 yards was about an inch high and a half inch to the right, so I was ok with that to bring my target to 100 then zero in. Well I shot about 8 times and they were all about 2 inches to the left now. I was shooting off sand bags. I did not move my sights bc I want to start fresh at a 100 yards next week and see if it was me or the gun. What do you guys make of that? And if any of y'all have any tips on how I can sight better than how I'm doing it now I would really appreciate it. I'm also going to get the limbsaver recoil pad bc my shoulder was starting to feel it towards the end, maybe that will help to.
-mike-

You might try different bullet weight and powder grains. to find whitch load that M/L likes.

Are you shooting pre measured pellets ot powder. Also like 30 point said could be your bullet weight. Make sure your screws on your scope and mounts are tight. Also make sure to run a wire brush down your barrel between shots when sighting in helps keep it consistant

The scope reticle is set up for a 250 grain bullet with 150 grains of powder so that I don't think I can change

Make sure you are not punching the trigger. That was my problem when I first started shooting again after a long lay off. You should squeeze the trigger so slow that it should suprise you when the gun goes off. Hopefully that helps... Good luck!

You might also see about getting a lead sled with the extension that holds the but of the gun. This will hep hold the gun steady and take out a lot of the recoil of the gun. They really do make a huge difference.

I shoot a 280 grain sabot with 80 grains of powder, and it's dead on. I tried the heavy grain bullets and 150 grains powder and it shot like crap. always inconcistant pattern. I started lowering my bullet wt. and powder wt. and found what my 54 cal. likes. Plenty of knock down power. And bucks like a mule. Also clean it about every 5 or 10 shots. When M/L get dirty and hot they start throwing bullets. hope this helps.

The best thing I have found for sighting in guns is a Lead Sled. you can adjust it and have the gun dead on with no movement. If it's shooting off it's the gun not you cause you aren't holding the gun. Sand bags are nice but you still have movement. Plus you shouldn't punch the trigger because the Lead sled takes all the punch out of it. Be sur to clean your barrel between shots also, muzzleloaders like clean barrels.

The best way i have found to sight a scope in is make sure you can keep the gun still. take your shot then keep you cross hairs right were you aimed then with your adjustments move the cross hairs to the hole where the bullet hit. then just keep doing that till you are zeroed in(usually only takes a couple shots and your good to go). and if you have to keep adjusting it. you might have to change your load

Its consistantly off for example at 50 yards I was shooting through the same holes but a little off to the right and at 100 yards same deal but off to the left. I cleaned after every two shots, so I don't think cleanliness should have been a issue. Next time I go out I think I'm going to start with 100 yards get it zeroed in then shoot at 50 yards and see. I'm so confused I thought if anything I should have been more off to the right at 100 not to the left

botzitaliano wrote:

Its consistantly off for example at 50 yards I was shooting through the same holes but a little off to the right and at 100 yards same deal but off to the left. I cleaned after every two shots, so I don't think cleanliness should have been a issue. Next time I go out I think I'm going to start with 100 yards get it zeroed in then shoot at 50 yards and see. I'm so confused I thought if anything I should have been more off to the right at 100 not to the left

Like others have said if you dont have a sturday base to shoot off of you could be pulling it or anticipating the kick or any other number of factors... Could be a little bit of wind drift if you had a heavy crosswind as well.

I have a 6-9 bipod, do you think that would be better than the sand bags in the front, and then just put a bag under the stock?

botzitaliano wrote:

I have a 6-9 bipod, do you think that would be better than the sand bags in the front, and then just put a bag under the stock?

A lead sled would be ideal... not sure on the bipod.

botzitaliano wrote:

I have a 6-9 bipod, do you think that would be better than the sand bags in the front, and then just put a bag under the stock?

I would give that a go that would help keep it still i would think

WTA's gun doc will be on the site in the morning and I'm sure he'll have some good advice. I'll send him an email so that he's sure to check here. We'll be filming a segment about sighting in different kinds of guns here in a few weeks for the new firearms section but that's not going to help you right now.
I do remember having trouble when I first got my Nikon Omega which is the same kind of scope you are using.

Appreciate all your help guys

What kind of sabots are you shooting? When I first bought my Omega I tried using powerbelts, and it was all over the paper. I switched to 245gr Thompson xtp's and a 100gr of powder (2 triple 7 pellets), she's a tack driver now. I know alot of guys have good luck with powerbelts, but I've had 2 thompson's that would'nt shoot em.

Well, the good news is your gun is consistant. Since it is grouping them nicely at 50 and 100 yards, I don't think you need to tweek your loads, and I doubt anything is loose. otherwise you would never be able to shoot groups. Thats always the hardest part, so you are halfway there! A couple of ideas:

1. When you fired your first shot at 50 yards, was it through a newly cleaned barrel? If so, you MIGHT be comparing apples to oranges. Shooting to the right with a clean barrel and to the left once the barrel got a few fouling shots could be the issue, and the change in range had nothing to do with it.

2. After a few shots with 150gr loads off of a bench, 99% of us will start flinching. If you have access to a lead sled, use it. If not, take your time. Put on your recoil pad, and even fold up a few towels over your shoulder. Take your time between shots and don't beat yourself black and blue. I love shooting off a bipod, but sandbags or bipod will give you a good steady rest. And like Dave said, don't punch the trigger, nice steady pull is what you want. Try using the tip of your finger, like clicking a pen.
Again, don't get discouraged, your gun and load is grouping nicely and that is the most important thing. Try having a buddy shoot it and see if the point of impact changes, that will tell you whether it is the gun or you. I'd bet dollars to donuts you will fix this problem with a recoil reducer and a steady trigger pull.

I cleaned after every two shots so I think that helped. I'm going to invest in a lead sled to get it down right. Any one have any suggestions on the model that is good was looking at the lead sled plus, but I don't know anything about them

botzitaliano wrote:

I cleaned after every two shots so I think that helped. I'm going to invest in a lead sled to get it down right. Any one have any suggestions on the model that is good was looking at the lead sled plus, but I don't know anything about them

I don't know what model I have but they sure are nice to sight in with. I've shot in my muzz with 150 grains of powder and a 300 sam the same day and didn't feel a thing. Shoot I shot almost 2 boxes of shells out of the 300.

Great information Zach. I just picked up one of the Caldwell lead sleds and love it. Shot several 3.5 inch turkey loads with no issue at all

Let us know what you choose and how it works out next time you get to shoot...

Thanks,
Dave

Just picked up the Caldwell lead sled plus for 106.00$. Hopefully I'll be able to get out to the range this weekend and try this bad boy out. Thank you all so much for all your help and advice, I'm learning alot from y'all.

Let us know how it all work's out for ya.

I'd reccommend zeroing it at 100 then see what it does at 50. For as much as you're saying the error is it could have been you. I would be more interested in seeing how it's hitting at the 150 and 200 yard crosshairs (maybe eben the 250 if you're into pushing it to the limit). If you start seeing it walk to the side at those distances (crosshairs) make sure the scope is truely level with the gun.