As suggested in Part 1, the Thompson Center low cost Impact muzzleloader is a well made firearm. Unfortunately, the rifle was only shot at 50 yards with open sights and my eyesight which, of course, demonstrates little regarding the rifle’s mechanical accuracy.
As promised, a scope was installed, A Burris Fullfield II with a Warne Maxima steel base and rings and groups were 3 shot at 50 and 100 yards. The target below was shot at 50 yards from a rest.
The top group was shot with 250 grain Hornady Sabot SST bullets and 100 grains of Triple Seven Pellets, the lower group was shot with 300 Grain Sabot SST bullets and 150 grains of Triple Seven. They are both, in the world of .50 Caliber muzzleloaders, ragged one hole groups.
As shot count through the barrel accumulated, it became easier to load sabot rounds; more uniform length of bore resistance with no sticky spots to get past. The bore also seemed to wipe clean with less solvent and fewer patches. Subsequently, I also was able to run Remington AccuTip sabots through the Impact without the earlier loading difficulties and shooting distance was moved out to 100 yards. Pictured above, Hornady 250 grain SST, Remington 250 grain AccuTip and Hornady 300 Grain SST.
Best 100 yard, 3 shot groups, in order as they appear as bullets above: 7/8″, 3/4″ and 5/8″. In same order, powder charges: 100 grains 1677 fps average, 150 grains 2115 fps average, 150 grain 1952 fps average. All were shot with a warm barrel, bore cleaned between shots.
Never too old to change perspectives
I realize there are many types and brands of muzzleloaders, each having its own supporting fan club, but the Remington Ultra Muzzleloader and this T/C Impact changed a lot of my preconceived notions regarding this type of firearm. Representing opposite ends of a spectrum, they were both fun to shoot and both proved to be very accurate firearms. A far cry from by early experience with a low end CVA product.
It seems even relatively inexpensive muzzleloaders as a class of firearm are keeping pace with value priced cartridge firearms. It seems both have leaned how to get excellent accuracy with better mechanical designs and the use of low cost, but very stable materials. Setting aside the issue of an inability to make an immediate follow up shot, modern muzzleloaders give up nothing to cartridge based rifles. We’ll plan on doing more related projects.
Email Notification