PRB stuck in barrel

[JKushner]

I shot a nice buck on the third day of the season. He dropped but was struggling to get up so I reloaded and fired again. He did not get up but I reloaded again (tried to). The ball stopped about a third of the way down and I was unable to move it any farther no matter how hard I tried. I was very careful about setting up my reloads beforehand so I am sure about the size of ball & patch. I did not swab between the 2nd & 3rd load but have never had to before. Pulled the ball later, cleaned thoroughly and fired a few shots without any issues. Any ideas ?
Used the same gun/load to take a doe during the late season.

 

[Grenadier1758]

We will be able to have better ideas if you tell us about the load.
1. Caliber of the ball (diameter of the ball, and land to land diameter of the barrel or manufacturer of the barrel.
2. Patch material, thickness and lubricant.
3. Powder used by graduation and if either real black powder or a substitute.
4. Weather conditions. Temperature, humidity

Most likely the issue is the build up of fouling and the need to use a wetter patch lubricant / solvent to wipe the fouling from the bore as you load the third ball.

 

[necchi]

The fouling left after each shot can change a little bit with weather conditions making it softer or harder just a tad.
I think what happened to you was just number of conditions where just right at that moment to cause you the grief.
Now, imagine 200yrs ago in the heat of the moment,, in a life threatening situation,, your dead.

 

[Black Hand]

I shot a nice buck on the third day of the season. He dropped but was struggling to get up so I reloaded and fired again. He did not get up but I reloaded again (tried to). The ball stopped about a third of the way down and I was unable to move it any farther no matter how hard I tried. I was very careful about setting up my reloads beforehand so I am sure about the size of ball & patch. I did not swab between the 2nd & 3rd load but have never had to before. Pulled the ball later, cleaned thoroughly and fired a few shots without any issues. Any ideas ?
Used the same gun/load to take a doe during the late season.

Sounds like you may not have enough lube on/in your patches. Patches that are on the dry side seem to stick to fouling in the barrel.

 

[coloradoclyde]

What is your powder charge?

You simply might be using too much powder....More power/more fouling.

Lube is also a huge factor....especially in cold weather.

 

[JKushner]

TC Big Boar .58 cal.
.570 RB
2-.10 bore butter patches
100gn Pyrodex RS

Two patches developed when looking for better accuracy, single patch was very easy to start, double patch is snug but not difficult to start.

Maybe the problem ? I am not seeing a lot of fouling with two shots but will swab the bore in the future or try a heavier .015 patch maybe ?

 

[mooman76]

Time is a factor too. How long between reloading. I don't imagine you took a long time here but just passing on knowledge. Like the others said, we need more info on your load.

 

[JKushner]

Weather was around 40 deg. and overcast but not particularly damp.

Yes, I had the thought about really needing that 3rd shot and not having it.

 

[Black Hand]

TC Big Boar .58 cal.
.570 RB
2-.10 bore butter patches
100gn Pyrodex RS

Two patches developed when looking for better accuracy, single patch was very easy to start, double patch is snug but not difficult to start.

Maybe the problem ? I am not seeing a lot of fouling with two shots but will swab the bore in the future or try a heavier .015 patch maybe ?

Try pillow ticking (~0.017) lubed with lard, olive oil or even bore butter - Just make certain the patches are soaked. Commercial pre-lubed patches tended to be on the dry side (in my experience) and adding additional lube was a good idea. I just stopped buying commercial patches as I could make my own for far less cost.

 

[SgtMaj65]

I've been shooting BP muzzleloaders over 40 years and not heard of using 2 patches at the same time. I'm fairly new to patched round balls, having previously only shot conicals. I would think a single patch thickness of .015 linen or .018 ticking would be better, but I'm certainly no expert here. That's what I use, along with TOW mink oil for a patch lube. Also, I ONLY use black powder, no Pyrodex. Anyone else ever use two patches at the same time? I'd be interested to hear.
Or, did I misread and you didn't use two patches at the same time on one load?

 

[mooman76]

I'd try slightly thinner patch for hunting when a quick follow up shot may be needed. Try the .015 or .017 and see how they shoot. Bore butter isn't the best lube either. I do use it on occasion but only because I still have it. I generally use spit patch but that wouldn't be good for hunting because it would dry out to quickly.

 

[JKushner]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will report back on what I find out.

As a long time bow hunter I found this years hunt to be very similar, other than the smoke cloud obscuring the target. Already thinking about next year.

 

[Black Hand]

I've been shooting BP muzzleloaders over 40 years and not heard of using 2 patches at the same time. I'm fairly new to patched round balls, having previously only shot conicals. I would think a single patch thickness of .015 linen or .018 ticking would be better, but I'm certainly no expert here. That's what I use, along with TOW mink oil for a patch lube. Also, I ONLY use black powder, no Pyrodex. Anyone else ever use two patches at the same time? I'd be interested to hear.
Or, did I misread and you didn't use two patches at the same time on one load?

Sometimes, multiple patches are used if the shooter has lost/forgotten theirs, but it is a matter of expediency rather than habit. Better to use a single thicker patch than mess with multiple patches....

 

[JKushner]

I used mainly conicals until now also. Yes, I used two patches.

Tried Pyrodex when I could not find black powder. Other than being traditional what are the objections to Pyrodex ?

 

[SgtMaj65]

I'm a traditionalist mainly, no real objections to Pyrodex, I just prefer black powder. I do wish it was easier to obtain, but I just got an online shipment of Goex Olde Eynsford ffg from Grafs, and I'm a happy camper. I only shot Pyrodex once, and it was a long time ago (30-plus years) and I just didn't like the way it ignited. Seemed to have a hesitation when my 1858 Enfield went off. Personal preference ”” may try one of the newer BP substitutes one of these days, but why change when you love BP. :hatsoff:

 

[M. De Land]

Was it cold and were you using Pyrodex?
Even black powder fouling is very hard when used in cold weather.
Try brushing between reloads instead of swabbing in cold weather.
Shoot, dump a fresh charge, brush the bore on top of new powder,then load the ball.
I know it's a drag to switch from jag to brush but is's better than a stuck ball.
That will keep the breech clean and the bore fouling knocked down so you can re-load.

 

[mooman76]

I used Pyrodex for years because regular black wasn't available. I had no problems with it. Some argue it is more corrosive but corrosive is corrosive so either way it needs to be cleaned soon after shooting. I'm switching to regular black now that I have some but the cheapness in me won't let me just toss it out when it's still good to use.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Pyrodex is very much more difficult to ignite than black powder. Often this difficulty is seen as a lag in ignition and failure to fire. The "Hot Shot" nipples were developed to provide more intense jet of flame to the powder. The apparent lack of fouling compared to black powder was a factor in poeple failing to clean their rifle only to find the Pyrodex fouling was very corrosive and ruined many a barrel.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

You need to buy Dutch Schoultz's Accuracy System. He is a member on this board, message him. He can help you with your problems, as he has helped many others.

 

[Dr5x]

Pyrodex is OK for percussion firing rifles but a sadness for flintlocks because of the difficulty in get it to ignite from the flash in the pan. It appears to be less lousing because, I am told, the residue is not the black crud from black powder, BUT it is even more corrosto the metal of the barrel than black powder so requires extra care,

Black Powder is hard to get because it is very easy to ignite and is very popular in creating pipe bombs used in Mafia reorganizations. I made an 8 inch device previously mention about 20 years ago for 4th of July merriment. and I remain impressed to this day.




Dutch Schoultz