. . . nothin . . . 
What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?
- Thread starter PathfinderNC
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Rang some steel at the range.
Check these out this morning.
Check these out this morning.
Banjoman
Hillbilly
Finished up a homemade shooting bag for my SMHR (Southern Mountain Hillbilly Rifle). It’s actually a Jukar .45 caliber, very accurate and fun to shoot.
BruceHuxford
40 Cal
I'm trying to figure out that track
Banjoman
Hillbilly
Bigfoot?
Unless I'm mistaken, that's a rather large brown bear track.
BruceHuxford
40 Cal
Then, I'm going to need a bigger gun, if I ever get up around there
BruceHuxford
40 Cal
If it is, then I will lift his hair
Grizzly hind foot. I'm no expert but based on the size maybe a 600+ lb bear. There was a lot of other deer tracks, an elk or two as well around, I was trying to find a good front paw track but didn't see one.
Arkansas Paul
36 Cl.
I fired a few shots today out of my Ardesa .58 cal.
This rifle sat in my father's closet for 15 or 20 years without being touched and like a dummy, I didn't give it a good cleaning before taking it out and it was VERY hard to load.
I was using a .570 ball and had patches of .010 and .015 to try. The .010 were a little easier to load (obviously) but I think the .015s were more accurate. I only fired a few shots so don't have a really good idea of accuracy yet.
I only fired 2 shots with the .015 patches because they were so difficult to load. As in, I had to take a mallet and persuade the ball down the bore. I watch muzzleloading videos on YT, and the loading is nothing like I experienced. It would go easy for a bit, then hang up. I assume this is a rusty spot in the bore, or at least a spot with some fouling.
One of the times I loaded, the ramrod came back out with a burnt piece of patch on it. I don't think that's a good sign, as I know the patch should blow out the barrel intact.
I think I'm going to give it a really good cleaning, like I should have in the first place using a wire brush to make sure everything is clean and ready to go.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
This rifle sat in my father's closet for 15 or 20 years without being touched and like a dummy, I didn't give it a good cleaning before taking it out and it was VERY hard to load.
I was using a .570 ball and had patches of .010 and .015 to try. The .010 were a little easier to load (obviously) but I think the .015s were more accurate. I only fired a few shots so don't have a really good idea of accuracy yet.
I only fired 2 shots with the .015 patches because they were so difficult to load. As in, I had to take a mallet and persuade the ball down the bore. I watch muzzleloading videos on YT, and the loading is nothing like I experienced. It would go easy for a bit, then hang up. I assume this is a rusty spot in the bore, or at least a spot with some fouling.
One of the times I loaded, the ramrod came back out with a burnt piece of patch on it. I don't think that's a good sign, as I know the patch should blow out the barrel intact.
I think I'm going to give it a really good cleaning, like I should have in the first place using a wire brush to make sure everything is clean and ready to go.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
Banjoman
Hillbilly
I wouldn’t use a wire brush. See the numerous threads on here about stuck brushes. A proper cleaning jag, patches and whatever cleaner you want to use should be enough.
Get a smaller jag, a piece of green Scotchbrite pad cut to @1.5" square and split in two thinner pieces. Oil on the pad and run it up and down the barrel 50-100 passes and that should clean up rough spots.
Worked on shorty today! It's a slow process for me, just how I like it!
longcruise
70 Cal.
Nice range! 
Yesterday....I attended the Sons of Liberty Trade Show in Ohio. I bought a very nice skinning/patch knife to put in a contest giveaway soon.
I picked up a dozen 7/8" flints for my hungry smoothbore too.
I picked up a dozen 7/8" flints for my hungry smoothbore too.
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Took a PA Hunter through my woodwalk today and rang every target on the first shot. Very happy with the results, using 60gr with .495 ball. Distances range from 40-100yd with 4-10in gongs.
I cut some patching strips, lubed em and put em in medicine bottles to store. I also made a quick n dirty loading block out of a scrap piece of Poplar laying on the floor of the Man Shed. It turned out alright I guess. Could have been better if I had a Forstner bit (which I do now after a trip to town with the wife this evening). It will work for now until I find a small piece of maple to make another one.
Too bloody cold up on this ridge. 30 Is not bad but constant 15 to 30 mph winds make doing much outdoors a labor NOT of love.
Brought in wood. Tended the old Lab and the cats. Prepared dinner. Working on the computer for my retirement gig. Neighbor cleared our lane with his John Deer full size 4wd. Lord bless him.
2-3 Days all the snow will be gone. Warmer with rain.
Brought in wood. Tended the old Lab and the cats. Prepared dinner. Working on the computer for my retirement gig. Neighbor cleared our lane with his John Deer full size 4wd. Lord bless him.
2-3 Days all the snow will be gone. Warmer with rain.
Skin that’n pilgrim and I’ll getcha anothern!
Sort of muzzleloading related: Wife and I lost our last cat on Dec 30th. 3 cats in 3 years. He was born in the barn, and we had him for 14 years. Great mouser and just a real good natured guy. We miss him.
Anyhow, the vet asked if we wanted paw prints, we did, and I put one on my shooting bag. I have one of the other cat's prints on a little medicine pouch I made, and the pouch has a little fur from each one in it along with some other things which mean nothing to anyone but me.
Anyhow, the vet asked if we wanted paw prints, we did, and I put one on my shooting bag. I have one of the other cat's prints on a little medicine pouch I made, and the pouch has a little fur from each one in it along with some other things which mean nothing to anyone but me.
