Please school me on bullets

[Imacfrog]

The lessons learned this evening have definitely been informative and instructive. That is why this forum is so awesome!

 

[tenngun]

Yes, a brush and a solvent that removes lead. A good lube on the bullet will keep leading down too.

I find a PRB easier.

Ok, beginning to make more sense!

The top ring will knock edges off as you start it. It takes a little thump to start but now it fits like a gear in to the rifeling. The soft lead deforms under the pressure the charge going off and seals the bore.

 

[SamTex1949]

 

[Newtire]

So a good bore brush should suffice!

Be very careful about using a brush! You can easily get one stuck. Use a lubed wad on top of a dry one and then the lubed pure lead bullet is one way. I have even powder coated lead bullets like these. I know that powder coating isn't "PC" but neither is a REAL bullet.

 

[user 36911]

I never used a brush until I found this one. Never gets stuck.

https://www.octobercountry.com/msm-bore-brushes/

 

[Imacfrog]

So Imacfrog, have you figured out what engraving is? Engraved metal has grooves cut into it. It may be in the form of some fancy shapes and designs or it might be speaking of something as simple as the grooves that are cut when a bullet is shoved into a rifled barrel.

As for loading one of these REAL bullets, yes, you have to pound the bullet into the barrel.
Because the difference in sizes aren't large and the bullet is made from lead which is easily engraved, it doesn't take a big hammer but there is no way your going to get the bullet loaded by just pushing it into the barrel with your thumb.

A small wooden mallet or a "short starter" like you would use to start a patched ball into the bore will usually do the job if you give it a good, strong whack with your hand. REAL bullets can be difficult to load in a barrel that has been shot if the powder fouling isn't first wiped off of the bore surfaces though. That can lead to a stuck bullet somewhere about half way down to the powder charge and the need to whack your ramrod with some real stout blows to get the bullet seated.

In a badly fouled bore, a patched roundball can have similar problems, especially if the patch was lubed with some sort of grease which doesn't soften the fouling. The badly fouled bores I'm talking about are the ones that have had 3 or more shots fired thru them with real black powder without wiping the bore with a damp patch.

Speaking of wiping the bore, in my opinion, the patch should be wet but not dripping wet. Then, using a jag, push the wet patch down the bore until it stops on the breech plug. Let it sit there for at least 5 seconds and then slowly pull the jag and patch completely out of the bore.
Do not be tempted to pump the jag and patch up and down the bore. That can cause some of the powder fouling to fall down into the breech where it can do great mischief. After the now filthy damp patch is out of the bore, run one clean patch down to the breech and back out once and your ready to reload.

As I said, if you are using a lubricated/wetted patch and ball, you should be able to get at least 3 shots out of a gun that is shooting real black powder without needing to wipe the bore. If you are shooting a percussion gun with one of the synthetic black powders like Pyrodex or 777, wiping the bore is almost never needed because the fouling build up usually doesn't amount to much.

When I heard engraving, I immediately thought of an icon, initials, or work of art done on wood, leather, metal, etc.

I now know that it can also refe rto a ridge on a bullet that is angled so that it folds/collapses down into the groove thus creating a tighter seal for the projectile in the gun barrel. Who knew? The English language is so precise and unambiguous! LOL Another example of why forums like this are invaluable!

 

[Imacfrog]

For heaven's sake. Using REALs is very simple. I use an olive oil soaked felt wad under the bullet and the whole thing goes down very easily. No pounding, no fuss. Keeps fouling soft shot after shot too.

wm

The oil doesn't effect the powder if in the gun for a prolonged amount of time like hunting season?

 

[Newtire]

I never used a brush until I found this one. Never gets stuck.

https://www.octobercountry.com/msm-bore-brushes/

Thanks MtnMan. I had no idea there were such brushes. Gonna order some right now!

 

[Eterry]

Yes, a brush and a solvent that removes lead. A good lube on the bullet will keep leading down too.

I find a PRB easier.

I've been shooting REAL bullets for about 15years and have NEVER used anything but hot soapy water and a cloth patch to clean the bore... I save the Solvents for my modern arms.

Maybe im doing it wrong...

Please don't use a brush like you use on modern firearms... you'll NEVER get that damned thing out of the barrel.

I honestly can't believe someone would recommend that to a newbie, without the caveat that's there's a special brush just for muzzleloaders.

 

[user 36911]

I never found a need for conicals. The PRB always got it done. So, I have no first hand knowledge of conicals. Just what i've read about them. I did buy some NoExcuses but never hunted with them.

 

[Woody Morgan]

The oil doesn't effect the powder if in the gun for a prolonged amount of time like hunting season?

You leave your gun loaded all season?

wm

 

[Imacfrog]

When I first started hunting with my muzzle loader I researched this very question on this site. In reviewing the various post on this website, it would seem that this is not an unusual practice.

I store the gun each night in a case and remove the cap. When the season ends, I immediately fire the weapon at a target and clean the gun. I become a bit obsessive in making sure the gun has been fired and cleaned as I do not want to leave it load anymore than necesaary.

I have discovered that the jostling around of the gun during hunting season sometimes results in powder clogging the nipple but a quick prick or two with a pick fixes that concern.

 

[dave61965]

You leave your gun loaded all season?

wm

I usually hunt with a few different rifles, if I’m headed out with it, I load it, if I have no reason to fire it it stays loaded until I need to shoot it, sometimes I don’t use that particular rifle again all season, even after long storage I’ve had no issues with them firing or with accuracy in my experience.

 

[user 36911]

I'm one of those types who shoots the gun out each day after the hunt. I like to start the next day with a fresh load. PRB's are cheap.

 

[Rickt300]

I often leave my rifle loaded for the duration of the season. Never an issue getting it to go off.

 

[Eterry]

We've gone over this ground before...Ad Nauseam... Many leave their rifle loaded all season, with no ill effects.

We have several, who for whatever reason use their black powder gun for self defense... do you suggest they change their load daily?

If your gonna leave your gun loaded, I suggest using a hard lubricant like crisco, in the grooves of a REAL bullet. None on the base.

A few years ago my friend and I did an experiment. We loaded 2 rifles with prb, patches rubbed with cooking oil, and left them loaded. One went a few weeks before being called on, the other the whole season. Both fired without hesitation.

I think the person who first suggested unloading at days end must've sold powder.

 

[Rickt300]

We've gone over this ground before...Ad Nauseam... Many leave their rifle loaded all season, with no ill effects.

We have several, who for whatever reason use their black powder gun for self defense... do you suggest they change their load daily?

If your gonna leave your gun loaded, I suggest using a hard lubricant like crisco, in the grooves of a REAL bullet. None on the base.

A few years ago my friend and I did an experiment. We loaded 2 rifles with prb, patches rubbed with cooking oil, and left them loaded. One went a few weeks before being called on, the other the whole season. Both fired without hesitation.

I think the person who first suggested unloading at days end must've sold powder.

And patches!

 

[brewer12345]

OP, REAL bullets are good. I am not sure they are really necessary for deer out of 50 cal or bigger bores, but some rifles shoot conicals better than PRB and it is nice to have options. If you are after elk I think conicals have an edge.

My big beef with heavy conicals is recoil. My original barrel for the TC Hawken in 50 shoots 370 grain maxi balls really, really well with a stiff charge and an over powder wad. The problem is that with a curved metal butt plate you are in for some thump. I have 54 conicals that weigh an ounce or a tad more than I am less than eager to shoot. So if I were to try for elk with a ML again I would take the abuse, but for deer I have had good luck with PRB. Heck, last year the only opportunity I got was a Texas heart shot at 60 yards. The 54 PRB went almost 3 feet into the deer after breaking a thigh bone. They kill deer just fine.

 

[Eterry]

There are some fast twist barrels, 1/28 for example, that simply wont shoot a prb worth a hoot. But will shoot a conical. Most Black powder guns have much slower twist, but if you end up with a fast twist you have options.

Also, in my 40 cal, I'm sure plenty have killed game with the 93gr prb, (heck, my dad used a 22 mag with a 40gr fmj at the same velocity for his deer), but the heavier REAL conical sure feels more of a comfort in my hands.