when I load my loading blocks for my Trapper and Le page I meticulously position the sprue on top. when I load loose ball I put the patch on the muzzle and load the ball however it lands on that patch. I routinely ring a 5" steel plate at 50 yards with the Le Page with no attention to sprue position. I still cant seem to make myself use the same indifference to the sprue when loading my wooden blocks...
sprue possition
- Thread starter nick_1
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I try to align the sprue with the bore axis, but truth be told, I'm sure it can move off center when rammed and who knows where it ends up. I wonder if anybody's done any actual research to discover whether it really makes any difference or not.
I've done it up,down ,sideways.
The only thing I noticed is if the spru is one that stands taller it will cut the patch at times.
However being I'm a bit OCD when it comes to shooting the spru is always up.
Now if I want to get into another shooters head. I'll ask that spru question in a match. Then load one sideways.
One skeet season I spent loading chambers with one red shell then a green one in my O/U. Then showed up for the shoot off with a semi auto.
The only thing I noticed is if the spru is one that stands taller it will cut the patch at times.
However being I'm a bit OCD when it comes to shooting the spru is always up.
Now if I want to get into another shooters head. I'll ask that spru question in a match. Then load one sideways.
One skeet season I spent loading chambers with one red shell then a green one in my O/U. Then showed up for the shoot off with a semi auto.
First, if its pointed up, when the Ram contracts it friction will maintain it up.
More importantly, the Sprue is a possible patch into the powder under the bullet. A band on the ball is your first line of defense against a chain fire. You may use lube over top or a wad, but that sealing band still should be the top of the list.
With revolvers have deliberately placed the sprue on the side of the chamber hundreds of times with the theory that I would slice the sprue off and simply get rid of it. This method seemed to work quite well for me though I can not prove one way or the other that I difinitavly got better accuracy. all my shooting was off hand on steel.
With my Le Page just a few min ago I hit a 6" steel plate @ 50 yards one handed without looking at the sprue when I loaded. perhaps I got lucky and the sprue positioning was perfect. Experience however tells me that it was a perfect shot. Experience also tells me that the previous shot that I missed was a poor release and would have missed no matter how perfect the load might have been.
When it comes to competition I will certainly make the effort to position the sprue perfectly because its all in my head and no point in taking any chances. Rational Experience however tells me that you either make a good shot or you don't.. the load is not nearly as important as the sight picture and release...
With my Le Page just a few min ago I hit a 6" steel plate @ 50 yards one handed without looking at the sprue when I loaded. perhaps I got lucky and the sprue positioning was perfect. Experience however tells me that it was a perfect shot. Experience also tells me that the previous shot that I missed was a poor release and would have missed no matter how perfect the load might have been.
When it comes to competition I will certainly make the effort to position the sprue perfectly because its all in my head and no point in taking any chances. Rational Experience however tells me that you either make a good shot or you don't.. the load is not nearly as important as the sight picture and release...
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One of those things, I always put mine facing outward.
Been a long time since I did lead bullets - does the sprue stick out on cast balls if I am following it right?
I would think it would add some wobble to slice it to the side, but maybe in the scheme of things makes no difference.
