It appears that…..

[necchi]

Been loading muzzle stuffers since the 70s.
NEVER have dry balled, Not once.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

This time of year I kind of wish for dry balls sometimes.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Avoiding a dry ball situation is mainly adhering to a strict procedure that would be very difficult to disrupt. However, that is no reason to forego the practice of knowing how to remove a dry ball and knowing several methods to successfully remove a dry ball.

 

[oldwood]

I heard of a fella driballed onect. The baddest of it twere , he just tole his new shootin buddy , he haddent done it in 40 yrs. , countin'..

 

[French Colonial]

I know some guys who say they have never dry balled a gun, they sure tell some tall tales around the camp fire also.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I might as well provide a link to five methods that I am aware of that are reasonable approaches to remove a dry ball. Perhaps I should create an application form for members to join the "Dry Ball Club".

The following list is in no way a priority list of dry ball removal.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...ry-ball-club-today.150515/page-2#post-2122617

 

[brewyak]

I have a friend of mine who shoots A LOT. Been shooting for a long time too and is an excellent shot. He dryballed twice on Sunday. It happens people.

 

[Spillikins]

some folks go to supreme efforts to make trouble for themselves concerning dry balling

The record has to go to the recent personage who dry balled deliberately before he had even finished making his gun...

 

[springfield art]

What's 'dryballin' ? SW

Yeah, placing in the ball without any powder first!

 

[billraby]

I loaded without powder a couple weeks ago. I pulled the ball out and started over. It was not a big deal.

 

[sturmkatze]

The record has to go to the recent personage who dry balled deliberately before he had even finished making his gun...

How snarky and proud you sound. Let’s make fun of someone for trying something. Little did he know that the bullet puller would break. Then when he asked for help and advice, all the know-it-alls and trolls started up.

This is why a lot of people don’t ask for help and quit the hobby. It’s disgusting. And, Billy Bob here had to to start a whole new thread to attack and make fun of him. Not the hobby I’ve known over the years — now full of mean trolls.

 

[Rebel bull]

we had a fellow who used to shoot with us who's camp name is dry ball the story was he was teaching his wife how to shoot a muzzleloader and got distracted 8 times in one day

 

[azmntman]

I have went to shoot several times without dryballing.

 

[Old Sparky]

Honestly anyone who dry balls kinda scares me, what else are they forgetting, do they know the difference between black powder and smokeless powder, or which end of the barrel is the muzzle?

Harsh lol

 

[Old Sparky]

I did it one time in 40 Years of shooting. It was a revolver so no big deal

 

[BadDaditood]

You fellows need to write a book:

DRY-BALLIN FER DUMMIES!

There’s gotta be 850 pages here already!!

 

[mikesto44]

Never done it either in 55+ years. When I was taught about firearms. My Dad and Grandfather were extremely strict. Making mistakes with guns usually gets someone hurt or killed.
When they started me on muzzle loaders. They told me a simple rule When loading 1. black, 2. white and 3 grey and everything will be ok.
But they enforced this strongly. Plus when loading...quit talking and pay attention to what your doing. Simple.....

 

[azmntman]

If only a few had this issue I could see concern and ridicule. The major majority have either admitted it or lied about it. If my dry balling scares you cut down on the coffee. I shoot alone 90+ % of the time anyway..... And ya I have scared myself. Lost the keys once in the tall grass between Corolla and target. Stuff like that. As for dry balling just for practice? Good idea I guess? I have lots of practice myself. Really though I have never launched a ramrod. Mainly cuz I use the rod on the gun and always replace it before shooting. When I don't I am using a longer rod and see it sticking out the barrel

 

[M. De Land]

some folks go to supreme efforts to make trouble for themselves concerning dry balling, getting manure stuck in their barrels whether or not tools or whatever type of projectile they wish to shoot! I’m of the opinion that READING before hand prior to DOING would solve many of these issues because in the final analysis this game isn’t rocket science and does not require a PhD to enjoy the game!

Commonly the same folks who like to point out about never having dryballed are usually the same ones that claim to have never had an accidental discharge, to which I like to reply.................. Yet.
The other thing to factor in is advancing age which does change things for most shooters.
This is where safety habits performed over decades of shooting tend to save the day when mental faculties (forgetfulness) start to wain.
As we age safety vigilance must ever more be our focus !
Along with dryballing, shooting loading rods down range seems to be in vogue on occasion.

 

[Okurok]

I'd swear some people here walk on water. But I can't. Don't hurt my feelings none either if some one mocks me when I do mess up. At least not for long. You're doing one thing right if you've dry balled. You're out shooting instead of tapping on a keyboard.