TC Northwest Explorer, only able to shoot one shot

[boots]

I figured I would throw this question out to you guys. I recently received a TC Northwest Explorer as a gift but Im having problems with only being able to shoot one shot between cleanings. If I try to reload after the first shot without cleaning its nearly impossible to get the bullet seated. As you can imagine, this isnt practical for follow up shots in the field .

I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this issue and how you got around it? Maybe some loads that you guys are having good luck with? 

For reference, Im currently shooting TC Maxiballs with Double-F loose black powder (same load I have always shot in my traditional Lyman sidelock rifles)

Any input is appreciated

[teanawayslayer]

Are you using any bore butter after you clean your rifle?  If not lather that bore up with it.  I have never had a problem like you are describing.  I know using bore butter is supposed to help fowling.  That's the only advice I could give you. How many grains of 2f are you using.  I would not use more than 100 grains.

[bobcat]

If the bore is that tight, you might try some Powerbelts. They generally load really easy. I wasn't a big fan of Powerbelts, when only the all-lead ones were legal in this state. But now that the copper jacketed Powerbelts are legal, I think they'd be worth a try.

[Blsum]

When ever I'm at the range I will scrub the bore with a patch with a dab of bore butter in between shots. I don't know if its true or not (ive heard conflicting arguments) but its like it seasons the barrel. Making it so it doesn't foul as bad the more you shoot it. When ever I've been in the field and reloaded after my first shot I've never had a problem loading a second round.

Another question I'd have for you is. Are you shooting Real black powder or are you shooting a substitute like pyrodex or 777. 

[beagledog]

MY question is what type of projectile are you shooting ?
and how many grains of what type of powder
I had a friend that I hunt with that was using knight sabots and I watched him break a shot starter getting his bullet started I called him some names that were appropriate for elk camp not this forum and asked if I could load one I think that was when my face turned read and found out he wasn't faking how hard they were to start
moral of the story I let him load my gun and he switched to power belts the next season

[bobcat]

For reference, Im currently shooting TC Maxiballs with Double-F loose black powder (same load I have always shot in my traditional Lyman sidelock rifles)

[Dirty Mike]

how tight we talking, can you get them in with a bullet starter? I know the maxi balls are pre lubed so it helps a little. Also try the great plains bullet by hornady. I dont know how well power belts would do because of you 1:48 twist rate so your kinda limited on bullets out there, I personally dont like power belts but if they work great hornady also makes the fpb bullet which is copper jacketed and bore dia. I would give those a try

[bobcat]

Powerbelts are short so they should do great in a 1 in 48 twist. I've shot them out of a T/C Renegade and a Lyman Deer Stalker, both of which have a 1 in 48 twist and they worked fine.

[carpsniperg2]

X2 I am right there with bobcat. Modern sabots are made for 1:28" twist that gun is designed to shoot conical style bullets. I know a few guys that run the pbs in there guns.

[hillbilli]

I know folks who shoot sabots, but carry powerbelts in their reload because of the ease of loading. (make sure they hit the same place, and shoot OK for you) I havent been impressed with the penetration of the 245gr .50, but the 295gr powerbelts do fine..

[fair-chase]

With your description I'm inclined to think that it's the powder. Give 3F or a different brand of 2F a try.

[one shot kill]

My dad had the same problem with his TC Black Diamond. We cleaned it real good and switched to triple 7 ffg. No more problems.

[boots]

Thanks for the input guys.

Even with a bullet starter, its near impossible to load after the first shot. I resorted to hitting the ramrod against the shooting bench to get one of my follow up shots reloaded (not something I liked doing) and ended up having to clean it after each shot thereafter

Im currently shooting the maxiballs with real black powder (FF). I was thinking that switching to FFF might help because its a finer powder so it might get a cleaner burn, although Ive never had issues with any of my other muzzeloaders. I'm not totally opposed to switching to a synthetic pyrodex type of loose powder, but would like to stick to black powder if possible.

I don't want to switch to pellets or a copper jacketed bullet because I will be using this muzzleloader in Idaho during a season that is restricted to loose powder and lead bullets only. I'll have to research some of these bullet suggestions to see if they fit that bill.

[fair-chase]

Real black powder is most likely the culprit here. Switch your powder and keep using the same bullets. I'm betting that will clear it up. I'd reccomend Triple 7 but Pyrodex would also work. Just remember when changing powders to adjust your loads accordingly.

[bobcat]

Try the heavy all-lead Powerbelts then. I always wanted to try the 444 grain flat points. I haven't seen any of the stores carry them, so you'll probably have to mail order them. For some reason the stores only stock the 295's and 348's. 

[fishunt247]

I'm curious as to why you would want to stay with black powder and not a cleaner powder?

Also, just because bore butter was mentioned, I went from shooting under 3" groups at 100 yards with my Knight to 7" groups when I used bore butter. Several people had told me that it would help with fouling and my gun would shoot tighter. It didn't work with my gun anyway.

[boots]

I'm curious as to why you would want to stay with black powder and not a cleaner powder?

I guess mainly because I have a stockpile of it and its what I've always used when I was muzzeloading. We tried the synthetic powders once many years ago when they first came out and I wasn't too fond of it, although I'm sure the technology has greatly increased since then.

Maybe its the more "traditional" feel too, although going with the northwest explorer "inline" style kinda throws that idea out the window anyhow

[Navyrep1]

My two cents, pick up a small jug of 777 FFG.  Try it and I bet you won't go back.  Cleanest powder I've ever shot.

[wildlndff]

If your not opposed to powder options try some shockey gold you can get it in loose form and don't have the fouling problems or any real cleaning issues.  We get real consistent shots without any cleaning inbetween.

[kerrdog]

I've got a NW explorer.  It reminds me of my M-16 in the Army.  It works OK when it's really clean!

A NW explorer's firing pin will get really sticky and stiff after a couple shots.  I'm guessing it's the "inline" design. It will dent the cap, but no "boom."  Usually a quick re-cock will set it off though. 

And it won't hit anything with a fouled barrel.  Now I clean it well between every shot at the range.  Don't believe that the lube on the maxi hunter will keep you from having to swab the bore between shots. O.K. maybe it helps for shot 2 and 3.  Which is all you need, right?

I've only used pyrodex.  And I've wondered if other stuff is better.

[shorthair15]

try the triple seven. you may even get some jb bore paste and run about 100 strokes thru the bore to make sure it is smooth thru the rifleing and lands. there may some burrs in there. did you try 320 grain maxi balls. i heard these shoot well out of this gun.

[Rooster1981]

The cleanest powder I have shot is the american pioneer ffg. I can shoot my rifle 10 times without cleaning and the accuressy dosent seem to change. And it never gets tough to load. When I first tried Pioneer powder I shot 10 times clened the rfle and then shot 10 more times. The gun wasnt even dirty just a little powder burn on the inside of the barrel. Just takes a minute to clean aswell. The powder advertises that it lubes the barrel after every shot and that it reduces fowling. I shoot 425grn maxi ball and 100 grns of AP ffg and my rifle is never hard to load.

[shorthair15]

i use windex on a patch after every shot when sighting in.