How do i shoot out of my muzzleloader instead of regular bullets?

Question

I am thinking about shooting balls insted of bullets to save on cost, but i dont know is there are any extra steps needed.

Answer 1

I want a muzzleloader.  Just pack in a ball like a guyback in 1770 would've done.  "Load" your muzzle!

Answer 2

If you don't know how to use your rifle see the below referenced website for that information.

Answer 3

As with any new activity, do some research first.

There are many good 'starter' manuals & books which deal with all facets of muzzle-loading. One of the best is Lyman's BP manual. My own 30+ year old copy is literally falling apart, and I still use it on a regular basis for loads and any other information.

Another GREAT source is Dixie Gun Works catalog, which is worth FAR more than their asking price. Just don't plan on doing ANYTHING else the first weekend after Dixie's book arrives! Theirs is one of the hardest books I have ever had to put down once I opened it!

Answer 4

More than likely you have a fast rifle twist or a 1:48 (jack of all trades twist). Your accuracy will generally be determined by the twist of the rifle. If you have a 1:48", your accuracy should be quite good at 50 yards. A fast twist is likely to throw the group somewhere off center --- possibly off the entire target. You just have to try it and find out.

hornady and speer are the only brands worth buying (hornady being the better of the two). All other makes (cabelas, traditions, remington, etc) are not round but rather all sorts of odd shapes. [rolling eyes]

You'll also want to buy patches. I'd buy unlubed because it's a lot cheaper. If you hunt with round balls, then lube the patch with borebutter.

To load

1. Put an unlubed patch in your mouth

2. load the powder (try 70 grains and see what happens if you have a 50cal)

3. Center the wetted patch

4. Center the ball and just push it into the barrel a bit (just to keep it's place)

5. (optional but certainly the most easy). Take a starter and punch the load down 4-6" inches

6. Use the ramrod and punch it down. You usually "push" a bullet in one motion. With balls you normally have to "punch or jab" it down the barrel using 3 or 4 strokes.

7. As with bullets, once loaded just drop the ramrod down the barrel. If it bounces back up then the ball is seated at the bottom as it should be.

Answer 5

You will need to use patches between the ball and powder.  Also, you need to check what rate of twist your rifling is.  A 1 in 66" twist is optimum for patched round balls, but most modern in-lines and a lot of the newer Hawken/Pennnsylvania style will have rates of 1 in 48" or less. You can shoot a patched round ball out of these barrels. If you have less than that, you will just have to try it out and see how accurate it is. Nothing bad will happen other than possible accuracy problems.  Plus, if you shoot the round balls all year, then you will be extremely familiar with your gun.  Then when hunting season comes around, make your sight-in adjustments for the bullets, practice with those for awhile, and you will be more accurate in the woods.

I would suggest consulting your owner's manual before switching just to be safe, though.  It is hard to give perfect advice without knowing the type and brand of muzzleloader you are using.  

Answer 6

If you are shooting balls, you will  need to "patch" them first. To be really accurate, you will need to know what the actual bore diameter is. Subtract the diameter of the balls you purchased from the bore diameter and the difference will be the thickness of patch you would need. You also need to lubricate the patch with patch lube or grease. Then you pour in your powder, patch the ball and ram it home and then cap the gun prior to firing.

Hopefully you bought a ball where the patch only has to be about the thickness of a piece of cotton pillow ticking. Most gun shops could give you some good hands-on advice . Trying to go into all the possibilities here wouldnt work.

Answer 7

you have to use patches with balls

thumbs down for a correct answer?.......give me a break