Loading bullets/powder consistently

[nontypical176]

Didn't see any posts on this and was pondering.....seems like if the pressure being put on the bullet/powder down the barrel of the muzzle loader isn't consistent that it would change your shot.  Does anyone have any tips or tricks they use to get consitency with this, or does it even matter that much?  Knight Bighon, 110 grains 777 loose, hornady SST's, is what I am using this year.  I have been getting good groups target practicing, but looking back at last year after I had shot my bull, things were different.  When reloading I remember really mashing my bullet down the barrel as my head was raised looking for any sign that the bull might get away, I might have been a little excited.  Loading them darn muzzle loaders is nothing like knocking an arrow, or working a bolt.  Didn't need that second shot but it did make me curious.

[Skillet]

I've wondered about this as well.  I always tap my barrel twice with my starter ball after I've started the round down the barrel but before I drive it home with the rod - I think it may help with getting the charge to the same density when the round seats against it.  That may or may not help - but it sure doesn't hurt.  (Put the best 100 yard 3 shot group of my life up on Saturday  ).  I never bounce the rod against the round after it seats - I just lean on the rod until it feels the same as it has every other shot (I load with the butt on top of my foot, so I can feel the pressure against my foot, too).  It is almost motor muscle memory after a certain point - I don't really think about it, I just do it.  Your example gives me a good idea, though - I'm going to keep at it until I can load the whole unit with my eyes closed, or looking downrange at the target.

[carpsniperg2]

if there is a lot of difference in the way you seat the bullet there can be a difference in how it shoots. make sure you have your ramrod marked with something that shows how deep the bullet should be. you should seat with a long solid push. check to see when it stops if it is at you mark. if not then tap it until it is on your mark. i know some guys in the heat of the moment that have reloaded and crushed pellets  loose powder is a little more forgiving. but pressure can change with seating depths

[Whitelightning]

I always do the same thing, meaning I have a ritual as I feel it does make a difference in accuracy. I have read about a device you can add to your ram rod that has a release point or audible not sure which, that will always get you the same pressure on the load. I will research and see if I can find it again.

[nontypical176]

Thanks for the help.

   I bought an aftermarket ramrod that fits my hand good and my fingers end up just above the end of the barrel.  Bought that one after nearly jamming the factory rod through the palm of my hand.  The new one tees at the end, then straitens to go back in the rod holder on my gun, pretty handy really.  Trying to be repetative with my shots is a lot easier on the bench than in the field, I tell you what.  Go over the scenario in my head a hundred times "caps in this pocket, quick loads over here, binos on my neck, toilet paper check, license, knife, cow call here, I'm ready?",  but in the heat of the moment after putting a round into a bull, I end up doing a balancing act stuffing a new load down the barrel of my gun and the ground around my feet looks like a yard sale theres so much crap scattered on the ground.  Guess if I put the butt of the gun on my foot, I'll now shes ready when my big toe snaps, or fall over because its hard to balance yourself like that.

[ML_Hunter]

I know what you mean!  This past season I went to reload after shooting at a cow elk, I went to dump the powder in my barrel.  I looked down to make sure I was pouring into the muzzle and then my head snapped up to watch the elks.  I did the rest of my loading without looking at my rifle again, something I practice time and time again at the range.  After reloading I ran up to to where the elk I shot at was standing and I found a good blood trail to follow.  I found her and could tell that I did hit her but she was still moving staying about 50 yards behind the rest of the group.  I raised my rifle and went to shoot a again...Poof!!!  The load went off, and the bullet left the barrel, but it was not the bang I normally have.  She continued to run when one of my hunting partners took another shot and she went down (he taged her).  Upon further examination we found that although I had an OK hit, my bullet hit one lung and misses the heart, she probably could have continued moving for quite some time.  We passed where I reloaded as we were packing the elk out and I could see precisely were I was standing...only about a third of my powder actually went down the bore, the rest was on the ground  . 

In the heat of the moment, no matter how much one practices, if you get elk fever, you get elk fever and you can make a mistake.  Good thing my back up came when he did.