3f works fine or even 2f also if that's what you have. I wouldn't buy 4f just for this purpose.
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Dry ball help
- Thread starter jefftx
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Some times powder under the nipple or via the clean out screw can move a ball just an inch or so. That will give you a space to fill behind the ball but be sure to seat the ball after adding powder.
If you use a ball screw be sure to oil in front and allow it to soak for a moment before attempting to pull. Also clean in front even a tightly patched ball leaves fouling in the gun that will make it harder to move.
If you use a ball screw be sure to oil in front and allow it to soak for a moment before attempting to pull. Also clean in front even a tightly patched ball leaves fouling in the gun that will make it harder to move.
I have removed all but one dry ball by putting powder under the nipple. even a few stuck cleaning rods. a little powder and they pop out and lay on the ground.
one I shot out with compressed air. be carful with that the ball will come out all most as fast as if it had been shot.
one I shot out with compressed air. be carful with that the ball will come out all most as fast as if it had been shot.
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Yeah, there's several ways to remove a dry ball. You can try compressed air; but that often fails. You can make a big mess with a grease gun.
i've seen ball pullers fail many times. Many folks don't know how to use the things. Additionally, some ball pullers are made wrong and are useless.
But the best way is to shoot it out:
1. Remove the nipple.
2. Using a wire or nipple pick; work some powder into the drum/flame channel.
3. Re-install the nipple.
4. Cap the gun and shoot the ball out.
i've seen ball pullers fail many times. Many folks don't know how to use the things. Additionally, some ball pullers are made wrong and are useless.
But the best way is to shoot it out:
1. Remove the nipple.
2. Using a wire or nipple pick; work some powder into the drum/flame channel.
3. Re-install the nipple.
4. Cap the gun and shoot the ball out.
Many Klatch
69 Cal.
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Can't tell you how many times I get to talking and then find that I have dry balled.
I carry three screws in my shooting pouch to pull a dry ball. If I am lucky, the first one, the smallest, will get the ball out. If that screw pulls out then I switch to the middle sized one. It goes into the hole the little one just made, that usually does the job. If however the middle one doesn't do the job, the "lag bolt" will get the ball out.
So next time you are at a shoot or any place that supplies muzzleloading supplies, check out the ball pullers. Get as many different sized screws as you can find that will fit on your ramrod.
Oh, the balls are easier to pull if you will put oil down the barrel first and let it soak for a bit.
I carry three screws in my shooting pouch to pull a dry ball. If I am lucky, the first one, the smallest, will get the ball out. If that screw pulls out then I switch to the middle sized one. It goes into the hole the little one just made, that usually does the job. If however the middle one doesn't do the job, the "lag bolt" will get the ball out.
So next time you are at a shoot or any place that supplies muzzleloading supplies, check out the ball pullers. Get as many different sized screws as you can find that will fit on your ramrod.
Oh, the balls are easier to pull if you will put oil down the barrel first and let it soak for a bit.
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One think about ball pullers, if your making your own be sure to employ a brass centering collar on the puller so you don't bugger your bore with the pull screw.
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I have never truly met a person who has not dry balled if they have been muzzle loading for any length of time.
It seems to be a truth that there are two kinds of muzzle loading shooters in existence, those who have dry-balled and those who are going to! :rotf:
It seems to be a truth that there are two kinds of muzzle loading shooters in existence, those who have dry-balled and those who are going to! :rotf:
I have dry balled a revolver, but never a long gun. But I am very obsessive with my loading routine.
I shot for 30 years before the first time I dryballed.... that night the ghost of all the people I secretly snickered at came and stood around my bed laughing at me :redface:
I have done it twice that I remember. Always when I am distracted by talking. I'd probably have done it more but most times I shoot alone, so little to distract me.
at least with a revolver pulling the ball is much easier
I never snicker at another shooters dry ball. I fear karma too much to do that.
Now if it was a rifle with no chamber or patent breach then it would be much a bigger problem.
I never snicker at another shooters dry ball. I fear karma too much to do that.
Now if it was a rifle with no chamber or patent breach then it would be much a bigger problem.
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I have yet to dry ball a revolver but give an old guy time, only been at it half a century! :rotf:
I do still proudly hold the Alaska state record for number of dry balls in one match.............. FIVE if you can believe it!
It was a timed sihouette match, my first and after the initial dry ball I got so rattled and in a hurry to finish before the clock ran out I did it four more times. I have no explanation for how my brain could misfire that many times. I should point out it was over the course of 4 relays but still a ridiculous number of dry ballings.
My face is still red from that terrible day in my shooting career!
It rarely happens since but on occasion when I get to jawing instead of paying attention it does still occur from time to time.
I do still proudly hold the Alaska state record for number of dry balls in one match.............. FIVE if you can believe it!
It was a timed sihouette match, my first and after the initial dry ball I got so rattled and in a hurry to finish before the clock ran out I did it four more times. I have no explanation for how my brain could misfire that many times. I should point out it was over the course of 4 relays but still a ridiculous number of dry ballings.
My face is still red from that terrible day in my shooting career!
It rarely happens since but on occasion when I get to jawing instead of paying attention it does still occur from time to time.
I know why I don't dry ball now...
I shoot alone. Never anyone there to chew the fat with. I don't get sidetracked by good conversation.
I shoot alone. Never anyone there to chew the fat with. I don't get sidetracked by good conversation.
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Yeah, I still get the business when ever I bring it up but dry balling so many times in one four relay Silhouette match is to remarkable to forget........ even for the offender!
I still get a kick out of seeing the expression on the face of a person I tell wondering wither or not to believe what I'm telling is true.
I think one of the best gifts God ever gave me was the ability to laugh at my self and some of the dumb stuff I still pull off in innocent ignorance on occasion. :rotf:
I still get a kick out of seeing the expression on the face of a person I tell wondering wither or not to believe what I'm telling is true.
I think one of the best gifts God ever gave me was the ability to laugh at my self and some of the dumb stuff I still pull off in innocent ignorance on occasion. :rotf:
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Reminds me of the story from one of my shooting friends telling of the day he was working on his brake line I believe it was. He had a plunger pump hooked up and was trying to pressure the fluid back into the line and not get it on the floor. Well he pushes the plunger and the brake fluid shot out all over the floor instead of going back into the line so he immediately instinctively pulls back on the pump and then it squirts out of the return line unto the floor. What a mess it made for him to clean up!
We always gave each other a ribbing when we shot together, powder, patch then ball! But no body took offence. It was good natured fun and we all knew everyone did it sooner or later.
\Cynthialee said:
I shoot alone too. I beleive it was last year I went shooting and didn't dryball. No...dont talk to myself but I usually take a dog and mine mimic a toddler most times so I guess thats my excuse?
Yup, Karma is an unpleasant young lady but never unfair. :rotf:
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