Will conicals stay seated?

[LongbowG]

I've decided to shoot TC Maxi-Balls out of my .54 Hawken for a backpack hunt this fall because they shoot much more consistently for me than PRB at longer ranges (~100 yds). This is the first time I've shot conicals and have always shot PRB from my .54 until now.

My question is will the conical stay seated in the barrel if I'm carrying the gun around everyday while hiking? They sure do load a lot easier than PRB and just don't seem like they are as secure in the barrel. Anyone with experience shooting a similar load under these conditions? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

I hunted for years with that setup, and I got in the habit of checking with my ramrod every once in a while, just to make sure. I only had one instance where the bullet had moved off the powder, but once is enough. That Maxi packs a punch, and I think you'll like it.

 

[roundball]

Yes, they can work up off the powder...I've used quite a few .45cal maxi-hunters (which are a lot lighter than the .54's you're talking about) and once the rifling punches through the engraving bands during loading, there's really nothing to hold them in any particular position...so I follow the advice given which is to periodically ease the ramrod down and check/ensure the conical is seated/reseat it, whatever the case may be.

Also, I suggest you always use some sort of short starter to crisply punch the bullet into the rifling so the cuts in the engraving band are as clean and snug as possible...I worry a bullet is man handled into the rifling with just the end of a ramrod, I think all the wallowing around getting the bullet finally started that way can't be a good thing, may leave it looser than it would be otherwise, probably can't help accuracy either...just my 2 cents

 

[boar]

When I shot max-balls and max-hunters in my TC 54&50 I was told by and oldtimer who knew to tap the bottom lightly with my short starter to spread the bottom a little, it made them a little hard to start but I never had one to drift on me . But I still checked them with ramrod just to be sure. If you read TC manual it will tell you they seat on the top ring of bullet hope this helps
Dilly

 

[Pittsburghunter]

I will add if you do want to check it please remove your primer first for safety. Flinters chime in if you have another safety tip.

It is a good Idea to check them especially if you have been covering rough terrain.

 

[LongbowG]

Pittsburghunter - good point! It would be easy to forget this when sliding the ramrod down the barrel for a quick check of the load.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll just have to get used to checking this when hunting with conicals. I'm hoping the problem will not be that big a deal. If anyone else has any comments, keep em coming.

 

[THBailey]

I have used them for years in my .54 TC New Englander with no problem. These are all western hunts where we walk for miles. To my knowledge I have never had one slip forward. They do thump the deer with authority. I use the 435 gr version over 100 gr of Pyrodex RS.