First time I shot a ml. It went better than expected.

[HoofsandWings]

As many of you know, I bought a ML this spring and was all ready to hunt elk and deer.
The only problem was the barrel was too tight and I could not load it.
I sent the barrel back and received a new one. It was better than the first barrel, but I still had to struggle, using a wood dowel and a hammer to get the bullet down the barrel.
So I did not get to go to hunt elk or deer in the early season. I was at the wholesale sports store and noticed they had powerbelts. I bought a pack and found I could finally load the ML. I also bought some bore butter.
So I am at the range and I load the barrel up with 100 grains of FFFG Triple 7. I push in the bullet, then figured out how to put the #11 cap on the nipple. I aim through the peep sights at 50 yards, and shoot.
I hit the target dead center in the X. I reload and same result. I said to myself that this is not bad. That was when I pulled out the jag and my cleaning patch remained in barrel. I disassembled and removed the patch.
I load and shoot again. Still in the x ring. Another patch down the barrel. I must have been on adrenalyn and pushed the patch too hard and pushed it into the threads of the breach plug. Try as I may, I could not pull the ram rod out. So I dissemble and free up the patch and rod. I load and fire again, but this time I hit only the edge of the x-ring. I figured I was ready to see about a deer in Eastern WA or possibly in Western, but I need dry weather. I had not used peep sights in just under 50 years, but I seem to still know how.

[lokidog]

They make a little corkscrew wire thing for pulling patches out.  Oh, just reread that the rod was stuck as well....  pull the nipple, stick a couple grains of powder under it and then shoot the rod out in a safe direction, sand works well.  Had to do this a few times with an old Hawken that had a rough spot at the bottom of the barrel, no disassembly allowed.  I have used Powerbelts in the past and they have performed well.  Peeps are the way to go! 

There is a reason that competitive shooters use peeps not notched rear sights.  When hiking in or being out at first light (legal), I will usually take the bell out of my peep and just use the threaded ring, this allows more light to come through and the decrease in accuracy should not be a factor as you will probably not be shooting very far in the reduced light of early morning/late evening..

You might want to back up a little and shoot to 100 yards to see what your drop is going to be.  It is pretty tough not to shoot one at that distance so it would be best to know what that round will do.

Have fun and good luck.

[carpsniperg2]

i have the jag that lokidog is talking about it saves a lot of time with my old guns, i have not lost a patch in a few years but sure helps when you do lose one to have one of those jags. are you also using the same size jag as your barrel? i used to get that when i used a 50 cal jag in my 54 cal rifle when i first got it. the bore butter will help alot but it does fowl the gun up alot more i clean after every 3 shots 1 wet  2 dry i seem to get the best accuracy when i do this. glad you had a good time it is a great sport i just got my ml deer yesterday.