Got my .54 ERMA-made Gallagher carbine back after a reline to .510. It shot OK with the .54 micro-groove type rifling, but I wanted to use a bullet-type projectile.
The historic Gallagher was barely able to hold minute-of-horse at 100 yds, so I was a little anxious about it's capabilities. I was pleasantly surprised ....
Off hand at 25 yds it printed a triangular three shot group on POA that measured 2-1/2". I fired another three shots at a second target and the group was even tighter!
Subsequent shots grouped well, but lower. I cleaned the bore and trudged through knee deep snow to post a target at 50 yds.
From a makeshift rest, it put five rds into a 5"V x 2"H group, 5" left of the POA. I attribute the vertical stringing to my forearm slipping on the rest. The left windage, I can't explain.
I expended the rest of my ammo on the 50 yd 10" x 12" gong, holding at three o'clock on the right edge - "Bang! Clang!", every time. Considering the technology, the crudity of the sights and the less than target trigger pull, I regard this as phenomenal.
Load was 40-42 grs FFFg which comes up to the ledge inside the brass cases. The 375 gr .512 RNFP sits on this ledge. I had no extraction issues and only one misfire when I failed to check the nipple vent. The next cap fired the cartridge.
Next time out I start at 50 and work out to 100 .... the Gallopin' Gallagher rides ag'in .....
The historic Gallagher was barely able to hold minute-of-horse at 100 yds, so I was a little anxious about it's capabilities. I was pleasantly surprised ....
Off hand at 25 yds it printed a triangular three shot group on POA that measured 2-1/2". I fired another three shots at a second target and the group was even tighter!
Subsequent shots grouped well, but lower. I cleaned the bore and trudged through knee deep snow to post a target at 50 yds.
From a makeshift rest, it put five rds into a 5"V x 2"H group, 5" left of the POA. I attribute the vertical stringing to my forearm slipping on the rest. The left windage, I can't explain.
I expended the rest of my ammo on the 50 yd 10" x 12" gong, holding at three o'clock on the right edge - "Bang! Clang!", every time. Considering the technology, the crudity of the sights and the less than target trigger pull, I regard this as phenomenal.
Load was 40-42 grs FFFg which comes up to the ledge inside the brass cases. The 375 gr .512 RNFP sits on this ledge. I had no extraction issues and only one misfire when I failed to check the nipple vent. The next cap fired the cartridge.
Next time out I start at 50 and work out to 100 .... the Gallopin' Gallagher rides ag'in .....
