Pelles in a sidelock?

[PreglerD]

Hello from Germany!

You all know that I'm on the way to make ML hunting popular in Germany(See letter to the editior in latest issue of Muzzleloader mag). For the hunters in Germany who have a bp permission using bp is no problem. Hunters who want to start and have no permission have a problem. But they can use bp pellets, because pelles are declared as ammunition here in Germany and can be bought with the hunting licence. Now my question: Is it possible to use these pellets in sidelocks and if what do I have to be aware of?

Thanks for all suggestions :hatsoff:

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Many Klatch]

I've never used the pellets and since I only shoot flintlocks I am never likely to shoot them. But the biggest drawback that I see to the pellets is that they come in fairly large sizes like 50 grains each. It would be hard to come up with a reasonable charge like 85 grains or 90 grains using 50 grain pellets. Most inline shooters seem to use 100 to 150 grains and that has always seemed to be little over charged for a 50 caliber rifle. If you can figure out how to get around that problem it ought to work OK.

Many Klatch

 

[WV MZL HUNTER]

I have seen a few men use them, but some drop a little 3f just to make sure they fire off.
I tried them in my T/C one time and they fired off,Using #11 caps. I like using loose powder. :wink:

 

[roundball]

"...Now my question: Is it possible to use these pellets in sidelocks and if what do I have to be aware of?..."

Pellets were not designed with sidelocks in mind and generally speaking, are not recommended for sidelocks as their ignition can be inconsistent, unreliable.

To help a pellet ignite, one end of the pellet is 'painted' with an igniter material...and if used in a straight flat faced breech the igniter material may not be in alignment with the fire channel coming in from the side...and even if it is, only a very small amount of the igniter will be in front of the fire channel...compared to the entire base of the pellet being in front of an inline's fire channel;

Or if a pellet is used in a side lock with a patent breech, the pellet sits way up on top of the patent breech a long ways from the fire channel and ignition may or may not occur from one shot to the next.

A loose powder like Pyrodex "RS" or "P" for example would be my choice if real blackpowder was not readily available

 

[PreglerD]

Today I tested around witn my Traditions Deerhunter and Vectan bp pellets ignited by 1075+ caps from RWS. It worked real good like loose bp. So it is a choice for hunters without bp permission.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Rat Trapper]

TC makes a rifle that will shot pellets. I think it is called the fire storm. Of course the modern rifles will work with pellets. Been a while since I was in Germany, can you use any of the black powder subs like Triple Seven in place of pellets or black powder??

 

[PreglerD]

Hi Rat Trapper,

we can use all of these stuff. But for loose powder you need a permission because of the explosive stuff law and many hunters who only have a hunting licence don't have this permission and are not willing to get one. But as owner of a german hunting licence you are allowed to buy all kind of rifle ammo. And these pellets are concealed to be rifle ammo, so you can buy them without any problem. And this will be my attempt of entry to convince more hunters using ML.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[pmwest]

For reliable ignition of pellets in a sidelock, I would change the nipple to one of the improved replacements like Hotshot or Spitfire and use “magnum” caps. If those are not available, then a replacement nipple for using musket caps would be better than a standard #11.

 

[PreglerD]

That point I forget to tell. Nipple was replaced into a Starfire or so from log Cabin Shop and the caps of RWS are stronger ones.

Regards

Kirrmeister