OK....I did the idiot load....

[William O.]

Sometimes I think roundballs should be made with a threaded hole in them! Just load with the hole centered. :thumbsup:

:rotf:

 

[Sinner]

I am SO glad for this thread...
I thought I was the only idiot to get distracted and forget the powder! :slap:

 

[BrianL]

Hmmm.......I wonder if that is what
the sprue flat is for, a good spot to start the screw......

I did a test this last weekend where I dryballed twice, intentionally :bull: just to see how much force the ball was ejected with when using a few grains of powder under the nipple. I shot at a 30 gallon drum about 40 ft away. GODAWFUL dents so be very careful.

 

[Sinner]

Hmmm.......I wonder if that is what
the sprue flat is for, a good spot to start the screw......

....

Sprue??

 

[garandman]

I jammed as much 3F in the port as I could, then dropped hammer on a cap.


No joy. Still stuck fast.

Should I try just a tad of smokless fine granular?

 

:nono: :nono: :nono: smokeless, in any amount does not belong in a ML. Try driving the ball down again and the hole your screw made should close, to some degree. Then try dribbling some 4F under the nipple. Usually +/-3 grains will pop out the dryball. Point the rifle where you can see the impact and know that it has come out.
Mark

 

[steved]

When you say port, do you mean the nipple and flash channel on a percussion lock or the touch hole of a flintlock? If the former, did you pull the nipple and push the powder grains into the flash channel and breech, or just push a few grains into the nipple. Big difference in the amount of powder you can jam in and subsquent blast of combustion. If the latter, did you push the grains deep into the flash channel and breech using a bent paper clip or something like that? I have no hands on experience using smokeless to blow a dry ball. I think anything related to smokeless in reference to a muzzleloader is taboo...

 

[nilo52]

NO !

Never use smokeless in a BP gun. I have had good luck using my 4f pan primer. 1st time it moved the ball enough to put more 4f behind the ball. Second time it discharged the ball out of the gun. Have patience and try 4f.

Nilo

 

[nkbj]

Did the ball advance any? Sometimes it will go forwards a little the first try. Try her again.
But always re-seat the ball back on the powder.

 

[Lonegun1894]

Yep, we have all done it. And the bad thing is, that having done it, we will do it again....

 

[FRJ]

In all my years of shooting I have never "dry balled" a rifle. BUT one time I did load my rifle without popping a couple caps to clear the channel from the cap to the powder. I just happen to have bought a ball puller a few weeks earlier and had to use it. Every day I wake up is just one day closer to my first dry ball!!!!! Maybe I should do one on purpose just to get it out of the way? The secret I learned is to NEVER change your loading sequence. FRJ

 

[junkman_01]

Should I try just a tad of smokless fine granular?

No smokeless, EVER!

 

[S.Kenton]

Remove the nipple...then add as much BP in the nipple hole...replace the nipple, then reseat the ball. After replacing the cap and firing it should fire the ball right outa there. If it don't fire off the powder then you may have oil or moisture i the flash channel.
Just my two cents.

 

[hanshi]

I'm sure you're of an experimental mind like the rest of us. As we all, you included, continue to experiment with the ball first, then the powder, one day it might even work! Don't hold your breath, though. Anyone can make it shoot if they pour in powder first but it takes a true master to make it shoot with just the ball. :rotf:

 

[garandman]

In a "misery loves company" sort of way, this turned into a fun little thread.... :hatsoff:

 

[garandman]

How about I heat the barrel real hot, to melt the round ball???

 

[junkman_01]

Don't do that. You will ruin your barrel.

 

[garandman]

I'm kidding.

 

[trent/OH]

"This the rule above all....first the powder then the ball"

I have this quote on the outside of my range box. Everyone I shoot with looks at it. :bow:

I am considering having that engraved on my coffin when the time comes!

 

[tom deinek]

Best part of experience is learning you WILL be able to remove a dry ball the next time. May not be with the same method, but you're gonna be confident & successful next time.