Importance of ramming home the ball

[Doug Fay]

I've just become aware that if you don't ram home the ball in a muzzleloader, it can result in the barrel bursting. Is that true? If it is, why does that happen?

 

[Phil Coffins]

It’s not necessarily true, it is best to seat the ball on the powder but it needn’t be pounded down. The Sharps system has a loose powder charge in the chamber as example and numerous people have only short started a ball the fired it with no damage. Not a good practice but illustrates how forgiving a muzzleloader can be.

 

[nick_1]

I have short started and fired with no repercussions.. also double charged and fired with no ill effects. Even hit the target.

 

[morehops52]

Load up your standard load and after seating the ball well make your ramrod at the muzzle. Now you know if your ball is seated every time without pounding it down. Later, I engraved my rod so the marking couldn't be rubbed off.

 

[BoomStick]

Unseated ball acts like an obstruction in the bore. May create a bulge, or may be fine with no problems. Takes a very stout load and ball within a few inches of the muzzle to make it burst. There are videos of people doing this deliberately...more money than common sense I figure.

 

[SDSmlf]

I have short started and fired with no repercussions.. also double charged and fired with no ill effects. Even hit the target.

I know the OP is about handguns, but does this mean the guns we hear about with rung barrels 6” or so down the bore are not caused by short starting? I wonder what then causes these barrels to be rung?