Post by: manni7mm on December 10, 2012, 09:12:06 AM
Post by: lokidog on December 10, 2012, 09:19:14 AM
Post by: Sabotloader on December 10, 2012, 09:27:08 AM
Just curious what folks think out there...
I have been at this awhile, not that others haven't, and I hate to call it operator error, but that is where my vote went. Shooting a ML sucessfully time after time requires a learning curve - it just doesn't happen.
There are things you can do help your chances and of course there things that you might not do that decrease your chances...
In todays world with the proper care of your equipment and your education - weather should never be a factor.
Age of your powder or caps should not be a factor if they are stored correctly. Heck I am shooting powder from 2008 and I would bet my RWS #11 Mag caps are 10 years old...
I do most things wrong in a lot of people book but I am confident of what I am doing and have worked on it for years to gain that confidence -
Here is a short write I did awhile back... the load was ignited with a very mild 209 primer - but I could have switched out the 209 for a #11 Mag cap and would have felt just as confident..
Quote
Just some history... And most of it was done not according to hoyle...
The rifle is an Knight Mountaineer - 50 cal, on October 5th I ran to the farm with the rifle and shot 3 shots to check POI and to fire foul the barrel. I brought it home, ran one moist windex patch both sides. Dryed the bore with fresh patches.
Next the gun was loaded on October 8th or 9th - 120 grains T7-2f, with a Bloodline .458-300 bullet in a red Knight sabot.
Hunting season opened October 10 and most everyday or couple of days from there after it has been in the field hunting. I will indicate for the most part the weather has been decent. But there have been cold wet days also.
The gun has been placed in the truck in the morning and after each hunt. Hauled to and from the hunt sight in that method - It has come in out of the house each trip with no special care.
Somewhere around the second week of the hunting season when the weather was going foul - I did also run a very slightly oiled (Montana X-Treme Bore Conditioner) down to the the top of the bullet just to add a bit of protection to the bore.
Today after a morning hunt in the snow as we were passing the Strychnine Gravel Pile... I decided I would touch the gun off just to verify what I really thought I knew - but 28 days later it was time. We stopped and I placed a very mild Remington 209-4 primer in the bolt. Then I picked out a spot on the bank behind the gravel pile - Larry ranged it at 104 yards. I leaned over the hood of the pickup - placed the crosshairs of the Leupold on the spot and touched the gun off. Boom!!! - and smoke. It really did feel right but I had know idea if I hit where I was suppose to but Larry was watching through his by-nocs and called it a hit.
I am now repeating the process and about to drop the powder down the bore for the next hunt, which is tomorrow morning...
I really do feel confident in this process with T7 powder - not sure about any other sub other than BH. I do not think that T7 sucks up the moisture near as much as some would have you believe.
Here is another weather test.... if you might be interested.
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/173875-conclusion-nother-weather-test.html (http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/173875-conclusion-nother-weather-test.html)
Post by: Kowsrule30 on December 10, 2012, 03:12:16 PM
Post by: Kioti on December 10, 2012, 04:22:14 PM
I'm going with poor prep and maintaining... With prep I also include keeping it dry.... With the products we have today there's no reason why your powder can't stay dry... I use tape... :chuckle:
Yuppers to that one. My second choice would be bad caps.
But the main thing is keeping it all clean and free of gunk! I shoot musket caps, and have never had a miss fire.
Post by: rosies or bust on December 11, 2012, 08:30:19 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on December 11, 2012, 09:35:53 PM
Post by: Griiz on December 12, 2012, 01:10:17 PM
I believe operator error is the main factor. This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot. Day before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds. Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11 nipple all week and killed my buck that way.
Just curious, what brand (magnum or normal)
Post by: Limhangerslayer on December 13, 2012, 03:50:50 PM
Post by: Sabotloader on December 13, 2012, 05:04:26 PM
I believe operator error is the main factor. This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot. Day before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds. Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11 nipple all week and killed my buck that way.
There is a good chance your nipple might be peened if it would not fire the #11's. Not saying the caps might not be bad but I have never had a problem with the CCI - mags or regular and I hate to think how old mine might be...
Post by: MountainDevil54 on December 14, 2012, 01:18:35 PM
Use hotter caps/primers if the #11's dont cut it for you.
Post by: Limhangerslayer on December 14, 2012, 03:01:13 PM
I believe operator error is the main factor. This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot. Day before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds. Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11 nipple all week and killed my buck that way.
There is a good chance your nipple might be peened if it would not fire the #11's. Not saying the caps might not be bad but I have never had a problem with the CCI - mags or regular and I hate to think how old mine might be...
No, they were bad caps. Could fire other # 11 just fine.