Ya gotta pay attention

[Plainswalker]

So...

Got me a new Shooting Chronograph, and being as I was just dying to know what kind of results we are getting from our handloads, as well as various loads through the Muzzleloaders, took it out yesterday to put a few rounds down range and see what kind of numbers we come up with.

I was pleasantly surprised with the results really, especially when it comes to the muzzleloaders.  Seems that my ole Hawkins pushing a 300 grain XTP with 90 grains of Triple 7 actually has a higher FPS than does my inline using two 50 grain pellets of Triple 7.  Also the inline using Triple 7 was just a touch higher FPS than using two 50 grain Pyrodex pellets.

Unfortunately, I only got to fire the Hawkins the one time, as when I was going to see the ballistics of using a 300 grain Hornady SST, I sort of rammed the bullet down before noticing that my powder measure was sitting on the tailgate, still with 90 grains of powder in it.  As I was unable to get the bullet extractor to chew it's way through the polymer tip of the SST, I shall have to go another route with trying to extract it.  The Hawkins is, I believe a Lyman's from the markings I can find on the barrel.  IS there another way to extract a bullet from the barrel?  Disassembly perhaps?

Oh, and I am still fairly new to muzzleloaders, so can be forgiven for making a rookie mistake.  At least that is my excuse, and I am sticking to it! 

[Plainswalker]

Might try the air compressor idea.  Not so sure about the pouring powder behind the bullet, though if the compressor fails, that is another option.  Thanks for the input!

[stevemiller]

build yourself a better extractor that you can tap through the poly then screw it in and extract.

[whacker1]

air compressor, or I have seen co2 cartridge systems that screw into the nipple, that can dislodge a bullet.

Otherwise, take it to a gunsmith.

[TommyGun496]

Might try the air compressor idea.  Not so sure about the pouring powder behind the bullet, though if the compressor fails, that is another option.  Thanks for the input!

It works fine, just use 10 to 20 grains.

[Plainswalker]

Appreciate all the ideas guys, also thanks Tommygun, 10 to 20 grains I would feel pretty comfortable with. 

[TheFewTheProud]

haha you aren't the only person to do that.

[jackmaster]

done the same thing with my hawkin, i pull the nipple off and put powder in there takes a little bit but it will be enough to get the slug to kind squirt out the business end.... frustrating as heck though... good luck

[Plainswalker]

Thanks Jackmaster, nice to hear from someone that says they have done the "put a bit of powder back there and go boom" and that everything worked well.

[jackmaster]

and just incase your new to the hawkin, i never unload her, before i head out in the mornin, i pull the nipple out and clean it with a piece of wire and put a couple grains of fresh powder in there and put the nipple back in. i have never had a miss fire or a hang fire since... another tip for cleaning your musket is pert plus and scolding hot water, i learned it in the military and it works awesome and you dont have the cruddy smell

[kerrdog]

That's the reason I've left the range a couple times.   But I had an inline so no big deal.

[Hangfire]

Most important if you are going to put powder in the barrel through the nipple  hole. Remove nipple put in 10-20 grains of powder, screw nipple back in and VERY IMPORTANT, SEAT THE BULLET AGAINST THE POWDER.  If you do not seat the bullet against the powder you can get very high pressure and can ring the barrel or in some cases, burst it. When you fire the low powder charge it may not be enough to clear the barrel. Remove nipple,let barrel cool, so no remaining sparks. Put in more powder and replace nipple and again ram bullet against powder.

I used to shoot muzzle loaders a lot in competition, you are not the first to load the bullet with out powder and will not be the last. The above procedure was what most used to clear the barrel. This can even  be done to a flint lock, just takes a while to get enough powder through the vent hole, unless a removable vent.

[Skillet]

Appreciate all the ideas guys, also thanks Tommygun, 10 to 20 grains I would feel pretty comfortable with.

I've got this friend, and, uh, he may have done this more than once, and, well, he happens to know this  works just fine...

Modified to add: as mentioned above, after you dribble in the powder, ram it home! Says my friend, anyway.

[WalleyeJason]

Appreciate all the ideas guys, also thanks Tommygun, 10 to 20 grains I would feel pretty comfortable with.

I've got this friend, and, uh, he may have done this more than once, and, well, he happens to know this  works just fine...

Modified to add: as mentioned above, after you dribble in the powder, ram it home! Says my friend, anyway.

I wonder who that may be?

[MagKarl]

Another option if it won't pull or shoot out is to replace the nipple with a grease fitting.  You can then pump the bullet out.  You'll need to find the correct thread matching your nipple, which is M6 x 0.75 if I remember right.