Range Trip

[Arizona Trooper]

Had a good day at the range today. Took the Spencer rifle and a Springfield M-1863 musket to start warming up for the N-SSA National. Both were shooting well. The Spencer was holding about 3" at 50 yards with 10 year old ammo. The Springfield was shooting cloverleafs in the 9 and 10 ring once I settled down.

There was a young guy two spots down checking out the Spencer, so we got to talking. Turns out he had been a reenactor in an Ill. cav regt. before joining the real military. I had plenty of ammo so offered some to him. He loaded up the magazine and had a blast emptying it. Put several in the black too.

What a great way to spend a beautiful Spring morning!

[SgtMak]

Trooper...what's your load on the Springfield..I picked up an 1864 Springfield from the Baltimore show and hope to use it at Nationals. Still waiting to get Spencer back from gunsmith.

[Arizona Trooper]

My favorite is 42 gr. of Swiss FFF with the Hodgen/N-SSA bullet. Shoots great and to the same point of aim at 50 and 100 yards. If this doesn't shoot in your '64, take the bands off and tighten the tang screw. The muzzle will probably lift out of the stock tip. Put shims under the tang until you can tighten the screw and the muzzle stays down in the stock. (1/64" birch plywood is great for making shims.) Wood under the tang tends to compress over the years and leave the tang unsupported. It's the most common accuracy problem.