I'm worried!!

[Heredoggydoggy]

If you are using real black powder, which I doubt, more cleaning is needed becuse of the fouling.  Even then, a few strokes with a DRY brush does the job.  With the substitute powders, Pyrodex, American Pioneer, etc. less cleaning is needed due to less fouling.  I have several cans of the "real" black powder, but I don't use it any more.  After you shoot the real stuff, you smell like rotten eggs for a week, and people tend to shun you.

I try to do the wet cleaning at least a week before I'll need to load it for hunting, to give it time to thoroughly dry out.  if I have to shoot it soon after cleaning, I'll fire a squib load, which is a small powder charge topped with a wad of patch material to make sure the bore is dry before the real load goes in.  Moisture is the mortal enemy in muzzle loading.

[deadyote]

Great info and thanks!!  Being my first year doing this, I obviously have a lot to learn. 

[Wacenturion]

  Both of those!

Ditto

[deadyote]

Well, I went back out today and it did the same thing after shooting four caps off.....NOTHING!!! .  Another ML hunter was there and I asked him what he thought and he said that he has had nothing but problems with the 777 pellets and them not firing.  He suggested the Jim Shockey Gold loose powder and let me use some of his.  Worked flawlessly.  I got my groups to 2 inches at 100yards and 2" high.  I went straight to the store and bought new powder.  Thanks for the advise from everyone.  Good luck!!  I'll let you know if I get something. 

[rasbo]

stick with loose

[carpsniperg2]

I have had problems with the pellets when I first started with a muzzleloader. I switched to loose the same year I got started and have never looked back

[deadyote]

The Jim Shockey powder worked well, is there other powder that is worth trying next year and see if my gun likes them better?

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

The Jim Shockey powder worked well, is there other powder that is worth trying next year and see if my gun likes them better?

I don't know how much you paid for Jim's stuff but GOEX is about $14 per pound and it's real black powder.

[dawhunt]

Also the proplem with real black powder other then dirty !!!! stinking !!!!!!!!!
is it can be really hard to find anymore !!!!!!!
Bob

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

I have a .54 lyman and use 100gr of powder and can shoot all day without cleaning. When I clean it I could drink the water afterwards. I guess my gun digests it pretty well and I dont need special cleaners. Maybe your just using too much powder and your gun isn't using it all which is why it's so dirty. I found in my gun that more powder dosen't mean more accurate, then again I'm shooting round ball and am comfortable with a 100yd shot.

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

Also the proplem with real black powder other then dirty !!!! stinking !!!!!!!!!
is it can be really hard to find anymore !!!!!!!
Bob

Theres a place in Puyallup called Muzzleloaders Supply and he has it for $20 per pound and you can also find it online.

[Heredoggydoggy]

The Jim Shockey powder worked well, is there other powder that is worth trying next year and see if my gun likes them better?

I use American Pioneer powder, and the Jim Shockey Gold is made by American Pioneer.  Never tried the Gold, so I can't say it's better.  My buddy uses Pyrodex, and it seems to work good too.  We both shoot conventional Sidelock Hawkens,so have not used the pellets.  Good Luck, Good Hunting!  We leave for 113 Late Muzzy hunting in the morning.

[bobcat]

Try loose Triple 7. It's hotter than the others though so you have to use about 15% less.

[carpsniperg2]

  I shoot FFFG loose and it has worked great. I switched from pyro rs about 3 years ago and it is much cleaner and has shot well for me.