"Greenhorn" questions

[HOOT]

I'm new to muzzleloading. Purchased a new Austin & Halleck 50cal. 1/28 Mt. rifle last year. I did take a local NRA intro to muzzleloading course, so I've got some idea of the basics.
I've just cleaned the rifle as per the NRA muzzleloading rifle handbook. All looks good to me, and I think she's ready for a trip to the range!
A few questions, since I can't remove the breech plug, is it safe to use a 50 cal brass brush on this gun, or do you just use a cleaning patch jag to clean the barrel? Also, the #11 percussion caps I have (Remington,) seem a bit loose on the nipple.
For deer hunting, my plan is to use 370 gr. Maxi-Ball. Also have some Hornaday .490 round balls, although I understand this twist is really for conicals. Should I use an over powder card or just seat the Maxi on the powder charge?
Many thanks for any help and assistance.

 

[boar]

Just pinch the caps a little to make them fit tighter. I never used anything over my powder when I shot the Maxis. Killed six deer with the maxis, now use RB. Dilly

 

[Zonie]

If you are using black powder the Remington caps will probably work fine if you do as boar-dilly suggests and pinch them so they are a little out of round and fit snuggly on the nipple.

If you are loading one of the synthetic black powders like Pyrodex or 777 you will IMO have fewer mis-fires if you use CCI #11 Magnum caps.

If your .50 cal brass bore brush is the kind with a bunch of bent wires it will work fine.
On the other hand, if it is the kind with a bunch of straight bristles sticking out of it beware.
That kind of brush is designed to travel all the way thru a bore to open air on the far end.
When stuck into a breeched barrel the bristles will be bent back towards the muzzle as you shove it down the bore.
When you reach the breech plug the bent bristles will not allow you to pull the brush back up the bore unless you apply a clockwise rotation to the cleaning rod and the brush.
If you rotate the brush while it is in the bore the bristles will turn sideways and a light pull while turning it further will allow the bristles to reverse their position. Then you can pull it back out of the barrel.

Because of this difficulty I avoid using these straight bristle brushes.
Cleaning patches wetted with plain water on a brass jag will clean any of the residues in your bore.
zonie

 

[Goldhunter]

I often use a plastic bristle brush instead of a brass brush. The plastic ones seem to get stuck less. Give them a look also. The name of the Blackpowder game is experimentation. Try different things until you find what works best for you and your rifle. :wink:

 

[Old Sarge]

The 1:28 is a bit fast for round balls...But you know what?...I never really tried to shoot one out of a 1:28. Always told it was too fast. Hey try one. Like you always hear here experiment. I do know that the Maxi's shoot very well. I did try them....often. I shoot'em!

 

[HOOT]

Many thanks to you all. Looking forward to getting to the range and finally making some smoke! Will let you know how I do.

 

[rafterob]

I shoot lots of round balls out of my Traditions Hawken 1:48 .50 cal. Great accuracy at 50 yards, so-so at 100 but good enough to Knock em over. I've shot a 290 and 370gr. maxi and it makes a difference at the 100 yard point. the smaller 290 seems the best, loads easy with excellent accuracy. But for target shootin I'll stick with PRB.I hear good things about the Ball-et, but have not tried them yet.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Ditto Goldhunter on the plastic bore brush, much better for a BP rifle.
Whatever you do do not remove the breech plug! NO :shake:

 

[HOOT]

Thanks! I'll look for a plastic 50 cal. nylon brush. Would it be like the RCBS ones used to neck clean cartridges before reloading? Also wondered if a 45 cal brush with a cleaning patch would be better than just the jag and patch.

 

In my short experience with muzzleloaders it's become apparent to me that cleaning brushes are entirely unnecessary. Hot, soapy water and a jag with one or two patches will get the bore squeaky clean in short order. Since the projectile never actually touches the bore, the only thing to clean out is the powder fouling. No copper or lead deposits like with cartridge weapons.

 

[Zonie]

Some of us who use patches lubed with various oils or greases usually use some plain dishwashing soap for the first cleaning patch. (No, I don't want to start the Seasoning debate all over again. :grin
After the soap patch, I switch to water for the rinses.
zonie