When I load my rifle, I am pushing against a good bit of resistance. Nothing like feeling like my ram rod is going to break, but resistance. I’m using mink oil on my patches. Rifle seems to shoot acceptably. But, when I watch Black Powder Maniac load his rifle, his load seems to slide effortlessly. Is my ball / patch combo too tight? Just curious. E..
Loading resistance
- Thread starter Gvilleddie
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Please note that BPMS likes .480 round balls in his .50 caliber. He makes references to it regularly. Unless his patches are .040 thick, he doesn't have much resistance to that ramrod. And misses a lot.
BSMS is entertainment, and I enjoy some of his videos. But he is not a mentor.
If you (as I do) like fine accuracy, a tight patch/ball combo might require some "oomph" but it makes the ball go straight.
ADK Bigfoot
BSMS is entertainment, and I enjoy some of his videos. But he is not a mentor.
If you (as I do) like fine accuracy, a tight patch/ball combo might require some "oomph" but it makes the ball go straight.
ADK Bigfoot
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,239
- Reaction score
- 7,177
Usually a tighter fit will bring the best accuracy, but not always. If you are wondering/wanting less downward effort when loading, try a smaller ball. Even play with patch thickness. The bottom line is accuracy. Seeking that optimum load combination is one of the fun challenges of our terrific sport.
Larry
GoodRabbitPilgrim
Do Not Live in America
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2021
- Messages
- 446
- Reaction score
- 580
I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not about your ramrod feeling like it's going to snap. But of you're serious you're probably holding the ramrod too far from the muzzle.
With prb I hold it maybe 6 inches from the muzzle and "tap it down" rather than push. I push when loading sabots or bullets in my 50, but never when loading round balls in my 54.
I could be wrong but it works for me.
With prb I hold it maybe 6 inches from the muzzle and "tap it down" rather than push. I push when loading sabots or bullets in my 50, but never when loading round balls in my 54.
I could be wrong but it works for me.
Erwan
45 Cal.
No, the ramrod is not to the point of failing. Actually, I do load as you describe, gently tapping. My shot pretty much goes where I aim if I don’t jerk, flinch, lose concentration or whatever. This being a flintlock, my main concern is I don’t know if I would be able to pull a dry ball if needed.
Are you using the guns wooden ramrod or a steel/brass range rod? I consider the wooden ramrod as a use in emergencies or for hunting only. Even then I always replace the wood ramrod with a good hickory one. Otherwise it’s my brass range rods. They load much easier for lots of shooting.
I’m using a hickory rod.
Most people use a ball and patch that are too tight, I like to thumb start the ball and push it down easily with a hickory rod. Makes pulling the ball much easier as well at the end of the day if neccesary.
After spending many years loading for and shooting unmentionables, I pulled out a 30 year old kit muzzleloader and started shooting it again. I must say, that now the unmentionables are pretty boring. I’m ready to invest in a better BP rifle.
I think I’ll try a looser combination and see what happens...
The @B P Maniac Shooter most often use Mr. Flintlock as his patch lubricant. He also likes the 0.480" balls and a fairly thin patch. He is shooting for fun, so accuracy is less important.
I routinely shoot undersized balls in my rifles.
My .58 Kibler shot this 50yd. benched group with a .562 ball and .023 patch. Will a load that has to be hammered down do any better. The top shot would have been in the group, but it was the first clean-barrel shot.
My .58 Kibler shot this 50yd. benched group with a .562 ball and .023 patch. Will a load that has to be hammered down do any better. The top shot would have been in the group, but it was the first clean-barrel shot.
user 49399
54 Cal.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2020
- Messages
- 1,583
- Reaction score
- 2,727
I used to use .490 or .495 patched round balls in my .50 caliber rifles. I tried different patches and lubes but they were still harder to load than I liked. Some time back I started using .454 round balls with spit lubed cut up tee shirt patches . It’s very easy to load and I can still hit a gallon milk jug at 50 yards every time with it. That’s good enough for me. The rifle I use most is a Traditions Kentucky percussion rifle.
Also, just for fun, I make paper cartridges for my Fusil de Chasse like folks use in Brown Bess or Charleville muskets. I use 70 grains of 2f and a .495 round ball. With this load I can hit a gallon milk jug at 25 yards. But not at 50 yards.
Also, just for fun, I make paper cartridges for my Fusil de Chasse like folks use in Brown Bess or Charleville muskets. I use 70 grains of 2f and a .495 round ball. With this load I can hit a gallon milk jug at 25 yards. But not at 50 yards.
Brokennock
Cannon
Are we sure the resistance you are feeling is the friction of a tight ball and patch against the bore, or, are you getting a lot of air pressure resistance?
If you push down on the ramrod then let go, does the rod want to rise back up?
That's most the fun of working up loads. Try different things. That's the only way you will find out exactly what your gun can and will do.
The first three inch’s or so are a little tighter feeling unless your load is loose. Even my smoothies are pretty tight feeling at the muzzle
Using a short starter I’ve found two or three hard whacks are needed.
Without a starter I find those first inches get your attention. Then at four or five inches it slips right down. I THINK it’s the compressing of the cloth
Using a short starter I’ve found two or three hard whacks are needed.
Without a starter I find those first inches get your attention. Then at four or five inches it slips right down. I THINK it’s the compressing of the cloth
Sam squanch
69 Cal.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2019
- Messages
- 3,184
- Reaction score
- 4,548
Try a looser ball/ patch combination, but with a firewall between the powder charge and projectile..
