I had the Dickson out to the range yesterday. Load was lighter than what I'd started with, guided by information provided by Dickson on the history of the rifle (sold Nov 1882), which gave a load of 4.5 drams of C&H No6. Using a older powder dipper set to this volume, I was seeing charges of only 118.5-119.5gr using 2Fg Swiss, so I went with that for this outing.
Bullets were paper patched using 9lb onion skin from Buffalo Arms. I'm finally getting good looking patches now. My first efforts were clownish. Bullets were cast by Bear Creek Supply, at 340gr, intended for 50AE and 50 Beowulf. Diameter before patching was 0.502". After patching 0.5085-0.509". By the way, these are very affordable at 250 bullets for $53. (
https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com/50-340)
Lube was a roughly 50/50 mix of beeswax and Crisco, roughly 1/8" thick. No over powder card this time, but still want to try that.
Accuracy was great (but the range was short...only 30 yards, since my local place was a sea of mud after all the rain we just had). Left barrel put 3 shots touching the left half of the bullseye. Right barrel was 4" to the right of that, with two of 3 rounds touching and 1 an inch higher. Elevation was dead on while using a sight picture with the bead buried in the bottom of the rear sight 'V'.
My next step will be to increase to powder slightly to see if these will come closer together. I am also thinking of trying an over powder card, as well as patching up to 0.511".
Any other suggestions?
