Post by: boots on August 23, 2011, 08:26:15 PM
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? :dunno:
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
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 23, 2011, 08:30:30 PM
Post by: bobcat on August 23, 2011, 08:54:45 PM
Post by: Blsum on August 23, 2011, 10:14:01 PM
Another question I'd have for you is. Are you shooting Real black powder or are you shooting a substitute like pyrodex or 777.
Post by: beagledog on August 23, 2011, 10:38:02 PM
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
Post by: bobcat on August 23, 2011, 10:51:33 PM
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)
Post by: Dirty Mike on August 23, 2011, 11:01:46 PM
Post by: bobcat on August 23, 2011, 11:06:32 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 23, 2011, 11:15:31 PM
Post by: hillbilli on August 24, 2011, 01:57:00 PM
Post by: fair-chase on August 24, 2011, 04:54:47 PM
Post by: one shot kill on August 24, 2011, 05:00:25 PM
Post by: boots on August 24, 2011, 05:32:43 PM
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.
Post by: fair-chase on August 24, 2011, 05:47:53 PM
Post by: bobcat on August 24, 2011, 05:56:32 PM
Post by: fishunt247 on August 26, 2011, 07:53:33 PM
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.
Post by: boots on August 29, 2011, 06:32:02 PM
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
Post by: Navyrep1 on September 07, 2011, 01:59:20 PM
Post by: wildlndff on September 13, 2011, 02:44:59 PM
Post by: kerrdog on October 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
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.
Post by: shorthair15 on October 15, 2011, 08:47:07 AM
Post by: Rooster1981 on October 15, 2011, 03:22:12 PM
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.
Post by: shorthair15 on October 15, 2011, 06:48:15 PM