Was wondering if anyone had notice the article about loading the muzzleloader and tapping the ram rod with the flat of your han. The manuel that came with the rifles I've had said never to do this at any time do to injury from the rifle firing un expected and driving the ram rod through the hand. Have sent a e-mail to the club and am waiting for a reply but was wondering if any one seen this too.

Howard

I read that also. I don't agree with that practice. I think it's best just to have a witness mark on the ramrod.

ok, so how do you get the initial mark point on the ramrod. IE: You buy a new ML, new loads, new bullets...

So, you know how far the ramrod goes down into and empty barrel, but how in the devil do you determine how far it should be down the barrel when the currently load of choice is seated properly? Different loads are different sizes, different bullets are different sizes.... etc

Forgive me but I'm not ML savvy...

I have my ramrod marked for my sweet load and if I add more or less powder I know where ir should be close anyway. I also always check when I first take it out of the case to make sure the bullit is all the way down but I don't tap the end of the ramrod just kind of drop it in to see if it close to the mark on the ramrod.


Howar

SCALVIN
You can temporary mark your ramrod with tape until you are sure of the bullet/load combination you're going to be using for that rifle. If you end up with several different loads, you can mark with different colored markers, electrical tape, or finger nail polish.

After you have determined your load, clean your rifle. Now with a clean and lubed barrel, load your pet load. When the bullet is seated on the powder charge properly, a ramrod dropped down the barrel should bounce off the bullet. If it doesn't bounce, then it's not seated firmly. After you have properly seated the bullet on the powder charge, place a mark on the ramrod at the muzzle of the barrel. Now each time you reload this same load, the ramrod should come back to this same point each time.

Posted By grandpops on 01 Dec 2011 08:17 PM
SCALVIN
  If it doesn't bounce, then it's not seated firmly.

Now that's the tidbit I was missing. ie: if I'm loading something for the first time, how do I *know* it's seated.  This answers that.  THANKS, that was the missing link

Yes, I read that article, don't think I'd book a hunt with that guy. Slow steady preasure to seat the bullet. Mark the rod when seated in a clean barrel so you know where it should be when there is some fouling after even the first shot. I also didn't like how the guide would make you pop a few primers before loading your rifle. For most maybe that is a good idea, but I have developed my own tools for keeping the flash hole cleaned out and I have yet to have a miss fire and never used extra primers. I understand this guide has seen a lot of people who don't understand their equipment, but I don't think I'd get along with him very well when I do understand my equipment.