Loading from the pouch?

[JDBraddy]

Am still relatively new to muzzleloading, about a year now. I shoot primarily club matches, load from the bench using a steel range rod.

That being said my club has scheduled what they call a "primative" match, that requires loading from the pouch.

Since I have never done that, figured their would be a learning curve with respect to the mechanics of this, so decided I'd better practice it. Organizing the bag, holding the rifle while measuring powder, starting a tightly patched ball without a mallet, using a thin flimsy wooden ramrod, my first reload from the bag gave the following result.

Would appreciate any tips, tricks, or suggestions as how to better manage the mechanics of loading from a shoulder bag.

 

[Beaverman2]

Use your range rod and drop it to the ground at your feet

 

[Bearkiller]

I hope you didn't hurt yourself when the ramrod broke. A few nicknames have been bestowed upon people impaling themselves. The main thing about working with a shooting pouch is downsizing your components. I've never loaded from a bench only from a pouch, so I learned to keep it simple. I know I wouldn't have room for a mallet so that would have to be left on the bench. Thinner patching would make loading a lot easier. Definitely rely on your range rod for loading as @Beaverman2 suggests. Here is a photo of the contents of my shooting bag. I know it looks cluttered laid out like this, but it shows everything I need to shoot all day.

 

[dave951]

Ramrods often break when you try to ram the ball while gripping the end of the rod. That's a surefire way to bend a metal rod or break a wood one. Grip the rod about a foot above the muzzle and tap down, moving your grip as the ball goes down to the powder.

 

[jdw276]

Use your range rod and drop it to the ground at your feet

That is presuming their shoot rules will allow them.

 

[reddogge]

Use a short and long starter before the ramrod. It gets the ball down the barrel several inches. Do as Dave above advised on gripping the ramrod.

 

[French Colonial]

First of all, the grain structure of the broken ram rod was terrible so don't let that be your benchmark.

Buy a good hickory ram rod from TOTW or similar, do not get a cheap dowel rod from the hardware store ( I usually buy several at the same time because hickory ram rods are good for lots of other projects).

Second, do what dave951 says and do short strokes, grip the rod a foot or so above the muzzle and tap it down, repeat until it is seated. I have seen guys grab the rod at the top and try and seat it with one stroke, a sure fire way to break a rod.

Third, most people are shooting a patch/ball combination that is way to tight, if you are wiping between shots, stop it and get a combination that allows seating without wiping.

I have never broken a ram rod after starting this sport in the 70's and being taught properly by my mentors, you can do it as well.

edit....If you can seat the ball even just partially grip the rod 3 or four inches above the muzzle and use the rod as a short starter, if the patch ball combination is to tight for this.....it is to tight.

Edit, edit, put the bag and horn on and go to the line of your club and practice.

 

[BadDaditood]

That’s some Bad grain runout there, you’re lucky!
I try to use a smaller ball as opposed to a thinner patch. Polishing your bore helps too but most important is your patch lube- it needs to be slicker than…. Saliva works surprisingly well although you may have to launder your patch material if you don’t like the taste of the starch they used.

 

[snakebit]

Take anything unnecessary out of your bag (ham sandwiches, quarts of sweet tea, etc.) tie your capper/pan primer and measurer to a cord to your strap. The balls just dump into the bag, you can grab one by feel. If you use a spit patch, put it on your tongue before you charge with powder. Most importantly remember this, "smooth is fast" find your system that works, and go with it. Good luck, and have fun. That's what it's all about.

 

[Maven]

Am still relatively new to muzzleloading, about a year now. I shoot primarily club matches, load from the bench using a steel range rod.
View attachment 356231

That being said my club has scheduled what they call a "primative" match, that requires loading from the pouch.

Since I have never done that, figured their would be a learning curve with respect to the mechanics of this, so decided I'd better practice it. Organizing the bag, holding the rifle while measuring powder, starting a tightly patched ball without a mallet, using a thin flimsy wooden ramrod, my first reload from the bag gave the following result.
View attachment 356233

Would appreciate any tips, tricks, or suggestions as how to better manage the mechanics of loading from a shoulder bag.

When I participated in local woods walks, I found it helpful to make a list of all the things I actually needed for a "bag shoot" (slightly different for FL's v. cap locks).* I printed it out and checked off the needed items as I filled the bag for the next day's shoot. Also, if you're not allowed to use a steel range rod, a good stout hickory wiping stick/rod works very well as long as you don't use a monstrously tight ball - patch combination. Btw, it may be blasphemous, but I striped my hickory rod with white and fluorescent red paint so I wouldn't forget it or lose it in the underbrush. Hope
this helps!

*Make sure you include cleaning patches and a small bottle of your favorite cleaning solution. (Don't ask....!)