QLA false muzzle

[kevin beers]

Why do i here guys on here talking like they dont like the qla or false barrel? Just curious is there a problem with them ? I have a PA hunter and it has a QLA muzzle on it.Maybe some one can tell me problems to look out for.And maybe some load suggestions for PRB and PA conical.

 

[roundball]

Well, according to a TC catalog I have, the "PA Hunter" (not the shorter PA Hunter "Carbine" model) has a .50cal x 31" x 1:66" Round Ball Twist barrel on it, so there's a good chance that .50cal conicals might not shoot accurately at that twist, you'll just have to see.

Since the QLA was specifically designed to aid in 'conical alignment' it would seem out of place on a round ball barrel, as they can't do anything to help align a round sphere like a ball.

T/C did have a few round ball barrels inadvertently manufactured with the QLA drilled...I got one like that when I ordered a round ball barrel for a Hawken I had.
Personally found it to be a PITA loading PRBs with regular size patches, and sent it back to TC after one range session to replace it which they did with apologies...said a few had been made and shipped with QLAs before they caught it.

And while it may not be a huge deal, you lose 1.25" of rifling from the barrel.

You also lose the ability to thumb start a PRB if that's something you used to like to do.

If you find you have to fiddle with loading PRBs more than you probably should, try some patches that are a couple caliber sizes larger...ie: TCs 54/56/58cal pillow ticking so there's a bit more edge material to support the ball at the muzzle when getting ready to start one

 

[Rifleman1776]

What is a QLA?

 

[kevin beers]

Roundball the connicals that i tried before were 240 gr pa conicals they are designed for slower twist rifles so they say.I got a decent group out of them before.I also have the 31 inch barrel like you.What kind of load and patch did you use with yours? I dont know if any other conicals would shoot or not but a 1-66 twist should be able to shoot a higher powder charge right than a 1-48 twist right for prb ?

 

[Stumpkiller]

What is a QLA?

Don't know what it stands for, but the design is a relieved porton of the bore at the muzzle that allows a conical to be inserted to align it before it engages the rifling.

From the T/C Website FAQ.

13: I've heard about T/C's new QLA® Muzzle System. What exactly is it?
T/C's QLA® Muzzle System (Quick, Load, Accurizor) is basicly a built in "false muzzle". Many old time target shooters used to attach a false muzzle to their rifle barrel for loading purposes, to guarantee precise alignment of the projectile during the loading procedure. They would then remove the "false muzzle" prior to shooting. The "false muzzle" also protected the rifling from being damaged or worn during loading. T/C's QLA® Muzzle is built right into the end of the barrel in all of our rifles permanently. It guarantees consistent alignment of your projectile in that its surrounded by steel for 360 degrees prior to being driven down the bore and engraved with the rifling. The projectile can't tilt, and the shape can't be altered (lead is soft) as it is started down the bore. This consistent alignment from shot to shot greatly improves the accuracy potential of the rifle by eliminating one of the variable associated with good accuracy... projectile alignment. T/C's QLA® Muzzle System also makes loading your second shot in the field much easier. You merely drop the projectile in the barrel and go straight to your ramrod, using short strokes. It eliminates the hassle of trying to align the projectile with one hand, and drive it into the rifling with a short starter.

 

[roundball]

"...a 1-66 twist should be able to shoot a higher powder charge right than a 1-48 twist right for prb ?

That's not been my experience at all.
There's a current thread a little further down below on the 1:48" right now...

 

[BrownBear]

From what I can see, there's a hung jury on them. I know several devoted RB shooters who love them, to the point that one has been drafted to add "QLA" to barrels not originally equipped. Yet I know others who hate them. I have a couple of barrels with them, and I'm neither here nor there. If I was cutting patches at the muzzle using a dull knife, I'd hate them in a hurry. But since I use loading blocks they're not an issue at all.

Lots of folks choose sides on the sidelines without ever trying them. Seems more like a fashion contest or Ford/Chevy deal in that crowd than any touch with reality. Best answer is to try it yourself if you have access to one, then you'll know for sure.

 

[nkbj]

I had bad experiences with mine. Worked on it and made it better. Still didn't like it. Finally got rid of it with a sleeve in the barrel. In the process was created a rifle I had wanted for many years. Now I'm doing the happy happy joy joy.

 

[kevin beers]

thanks fellas Im gonna shoot it see how it works for me.thanks for the input I figured someone on here must have shot one.Actually my brother in law shoots the short pa hunter only its like 20 inches long,he shoots maxi balls and a 100 gr charge out of it! I have no idea how he hits anything with it!I find it amusing watching him shoot lol ! I guess to each his own !

 

[kevin beers]

Im always open to learn something new !

 

[cas]

My experience with the QLA and PRB was that at times it made keeping that patch centered a little more tricky than normal muzzle/crown, but it shot just fine.

You might try these. A friend and I had good luck with them many years ago in some 1/66 CVA's.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=730932

 

[zimmerstutzen]

A true false muzzle was first used so that target guns with PRB's would have perfectly square muzzles upon firing. The theory being that a conventional crown permits the ball to be thrown off course slightly. I actually read an early 1800's patent application for a false muzzle at the Patent office years back. (As I recall, it was dated 1811) Some folks claim the false muzzle came afterward, but what I saw was before the concept of long bullets caught on.

 

[cas]

^ Yeah but they were probably cutting patches, not using store bought ones like most people shooting a T/C. :grin:

 

[kevin beers]

pa conicals shot quite well out of this barrel !

 

[StewartLeach]

For those not familiar with them, a "Pennsylvania Conical" is a projectile designed to get around a State of PA requirement that the length of the projectile not be greater than bore diameter. The result was a very short shanked bullet with a hemispherical front part. What it got you was a heavier projectile, and sometimes a hollow base like a Minie.

The ones I bought some years ago were from the Buffalo Bullet Company, and were called "Buffalo Ball-ets". They were 50 caliber, heavily coated with a waxy lubricant, and were loaded sans patch like a Minie. They shot quite well in a CVA Mountain Rifle. Alas, they are no longer made.

Here in Colorado we are restricted to bullets no longer than twice bore diameter- 1.00 inches for 50 cal, etc. if hunting in the ML season. If using a ML in regular rifle seasons, anything is acceptable, including sabots and modern bullets. ML projectiles must meet minimum caliber and weight requirements that in effect require at least a 50 caliber for hunting deer and antelope wit a round ball, and 54 for elk. Me, I'll stick with the old reliable 54 Renegade and a Lee Improved Minie. On the other hand, I do have this whitetail only license for the eastern plains, and a 58 round ball would be a good choice for hunting the river bottom tangles ......

White Fox

 

[tom deinek]

What is a QLA?

Quatar Leadership Academy over here, not some kinda wierd barrel shape.

Why do gun people like abbreviatons so much? I almost gag everytime I see somebody post about his , "Winnie".