A Big Thank You!

[Smokey in Oz]

Guys, I would like to say a big Thank You to all who've helped me out in the short time I've been here and into muzzleloading. You may have saved my life or at least my Hawken yesterday.
I was at the range trying out my new Wano PPP powder.I fired off a few shots & reloaded ready for the next shot but hadn't fitted the cap when I noticed I needed to lube up a few more patches. After side tracking myself I went back to the rifle and proceeded to load up another charge. When I rammed the second powder/patch/ball down I realised that my markers on the ramrod were a way short of where they should be. :hmm:
I considered firing, but it took a few seconds to sink in before I realised what I'd done. So now I had the opportunity to test out my ball puller, plenty of lube and a bit of effort & out she came. I still dont remember loading the first round. :redface: :shake:

Thank You for recommending to mark the ramrod at the loaded and unloaded marks and Thank You for providing the know how on how to pull a ball safely and easily. Things might have ended up quite differently without the knowledge gained from this forum.
:bow: :bow: :bow:

Cheers and may your beer always be cold.
Smokey. :hatsoff:

 

[Rebel]

Glad you noticed it before you fired. We all get distracted at times. That is why some of these tips are so helpful.

 

[Smokey in Oz]

PS; has anyone ever actually done it, fired with a double charge I mean ?
Smokey.

 

[renovato]

I'm glad you knew of that tip ahead of time! Double charging is a common mistake. A lot of old guns have been found with double, triple or ever more charges in them.

This place is great for information and tips. I've learned more here in my short time than in all my years of shooting.

 

[Halftail]

I a friend that fired a double charge once while we were shooting.He said it felt like double the recoil..... :grin:

 

[Slowpoke]

This year, during Maryland State, I fired 200g of 2F behind a 600 round ball in a 7lb gun. The fillings about came out of my teeth. :rotf:
I've also load my rifle, then got distracted and loaded it again. (Powder/ball then Powder/ball) then shot it out. It's safe to shoot smaller loads like that but for hunting loads I might just pull it. Always be safe.

 

:applause: Good save, now just ou wait, the next act is to shoot your ramrod. And yes , someone will find it and present it to you with ceremony. Or the rest of the line will give you loud applause. We have all been there and done that. Bob

 

[Lone Carabiner]

Close one Smokey. Good fortune you thought to check, could have been a burst barrel maybe worse. I've never seen it happen but seen fotos of it.

 

[renovato]

:applause: Good save, now just ou wait, the next act is to shoot your ramrod. And yes , someone will find it and present it to you with ceremony. Or the rest of the line will give you loud applause. We have all been there and done that. Bob

I haven't done that one yet, but as easily as I get distracted, I bet my time is just around the corner. I know my luck. It'll happen when I'm teaching a bunch of new BP shooters. Or worse yet, showing off for the ladies.

 

[2172]

our range has a common loading bench, and enough conversation to make distractions a reality. A tip from a friend has saved me a lot of trouble...if in doubt as to whether you've put powder down the bbl, I just drop the ramrod down...if i have loaded powder, a few grains always stick to the end of the ramrod...if it comes up 'clean', I pour powder...it has not failed me in the 10 years I've been using this idea..Hank

 

[jdixon]

Yup, did my first one in years just the other day. A little extra kick but when I looked at the 100 yrd target with the binoculars I was 6" low. Very out of character for my gun. Walked down and checked the target, two nice holes almost on top of one another. Got distracted and dobule balled it.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

:applause: Good save, now just ou wait, the next act is to shoot your ramrod. And yes , someone will find it and present it to you with ceremony. Or the rest of the line will give you loud applause. We have all been there and done that. Bob

Never found mine, last I saw of it was a black streak launching into a thick stand of Cholla cactus. :cursing: (AKA wooly/teddy bear) Prudence outweighed stupidity, so never looked too closely for it.