Well just got a muzzleloader now how do i use it

Pdog

January 08, 2003 17:19

I just want the basic's its my H&R with a Huntsman barrel, i shot it a couple of times but do i have to keep the breech plug really clean. How do i cleen and what do i do if i want to shoot some sabots instead of the powerbelt ones i bought. When i finished cleaning i lube the threads on the breech plug like the book says but i used that bore butter stuff is that all right. Any advice will be helpful. What kind of powder should i get. i got some pyrdox pellets i used to shoot for the first time. But thinking i might want to go the load thing without pellets. Any advice would be nice thanks.


Edit
New question. Okay what kind of brush can i use on the breech plug looks like its stainless but not sure, can i use a brash brush or something. Its still a little black on the top were the primer carrier goes. And is there a way to clean inside the hole i looked at it and didnt' seem very easy do i just soak it in water or something. Going to pick up some more stuff to shoot it a little more i think i might save the pellets for deer season next year. I got a couple pacakages of powerbelt i wanted to save to. and can u recommend a good bullet starter. Thanks for any and all replies

0

• 

  deadeye46

  January 09, 2003 02:29

  Hi,I've used black powder and pyrodex,but I still like the pellets the best,they are easier.You said it right when you said I went by the book.It's almost always better to follow directions that come with a product.I always try to do it without them and then when I get stuck,then I look at the directions,lol.I use pellets and sabot with a T/C bullet in my Encore.

  0
• 

  allen griggs

  January 09, 2003 02:54

  Yes get the breechplug very clean. The latest trick for cleaning black powder or Pyrodex is apple cider vinegar. Before you use it test on a hidden section of the barrel, it gives the blue a hard time on some barrels, usually just the cheaper ones. If you want to try powder try American Pioneer Powder, formerly known as Clean Shot. This stuff is less corrosive than Pyrodex, you clean it up with just cold water.

  0
• 

  gskyhawk

  January 09, 2003 03:23

  Pdog: Don't use bore butter on your breech plug threads, you need to use a good breech plug grease like Gorilla Grease made by T/C, if you don't use a good anti-seize grease on those threads you will lock them up sooner or later,
  if you can find it, the old Clean Shot was good powder and came in pellet form , I believe the company name is American Pioneer powder now and it also comes in pellets, both are a lot cleaner then pyrodex and don't smell as bad, one more thing, American Pioneer sells these nice little plastic tubes that are made to hold 100 gr of FF powder with a nice cap on them and they're reuseable, comes in 25 loaded tube pack for $15
  just about any of the sabots should work fine, I would just buy some of the prepackaged ones, you know where there are like 15 sabots and bullets together , try a few different one and see which shoot the best in your gun

  0
• 

  heyman47

  January 10, 2003 05:48

  I don't use bore butter. You must keep that nipple thread greased, I use a shotgun choke tube grease. It is made for high heat and dirty grit. If you ever lock that nipple really hard you stand a good chance of breaking it off above the threads!! Always clean your rifle real good before storing it for any lenght of time, even if it is a ss model. I take mine completely down to every little part and clean it with a black power cleaner. You will see that even the littlest parts will have a residue. Lightly oil all the parts, put a little choke grease on all the screw threads. As far as Sabots some shoot good in some rifles and some don't, you will have to work out a good load. I personally hunt a Knight Predator MK85, I use 110 grs of Select, a 250 gr Hormandy XPT .452. this rifle will shoot a 1" group with this load. I have killed 3 deer over 150 yards with this load. Good luck and it takes time and patience with the smoke poles.

  0
• 

  bambihunter

  January 10, 2003 20:50

  I use an anti-seize tape on my 700ML and I like it as it isn't as messy and a lot of the residue comes off with it. I like the pellets for conveince, but if you practice with powder and hunt with pellets, make sure to try it. I had some ignition trouble at first with them (fixed it with a hotter # 11, then later the #209).
  Everyone has good advice on cleaning, I personally use water to get the worst of it, then use any reputable cleaner for the finish work. I can't say it enough - oil, oil, oil after use and if it is going to be stored.
  One thing I do after being stored for the off season before a hunt, is to run dry patches down the barrel several times, then step outside and fire JUST a cap, maybe 2, then run a couple more dry patches down. Then pour a trace amount of powder down the barrel swirling it as it goes down (think of it as it is trying to land on what little oil remains), then put another cap on and fire it. Then dry swab it again.
  If you are going to hunt the next morning, I personally go ahead and load the gun and put one of the FIRED caps over the nipple to keep it dry and store it in your vehicle, your garage or wherever it will stay the temperature as outside. The next morning you are ready to go. I lost several deer the first few years (with side-lock and flint-lock rifles) because I had the gun indoors at 75 degrees, then take it out to the sub-freezing temperatures then load them and expect them to shoot. They condensate with the change of temperature.
  Hope this saves you a mistake like mine, welcome to the "smokepole club". [8D]

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.