MZ 101

[Guest TNFarmBoy]

I am fairly new to MZ, so I am still learning...

Two years ago (I didn't hunt last year) I bought an Optima Magnum .50 and used 295 gr Powerbelts & 2 Pyrodex Pellets. I killed two deer within 30 minutes of each other and both were clean kills with pass thru, but they were close range, 30-40 yards and fairly small deer. So, this year, after reading all of the negative stuff on here about Powerbelts, I chose to go with sabots. Pinched for time I just bought what Wally World had, which turned out to be 250 gr ShockWaves and also decided to try Triple Seven. Went out and zeroed in with the new load, got my gun all cleaned up and figured I was good to go.

Well, this morning I shot a doe, but I wanted two, so I reloaded without swabbing the barrel because I could see another doe. I shot and completely missed, it was my fault...I felt my elbow slip right as I squeezed the trigger. So, I went to load another one, without cleaning again and broke my ramrod trying to get the sabot seated. I decided to go ahead and shoot again, going against better judgment...the bullet only lacked about an inch being fully seated. Thankfully, the gun didn't blow up in my face and the doe didn't go 10 yards before dropping.

So, two does and I'm still here to tell about it, that's a pretty good day in my book. But, I think I'm ready to go back to Powerbelts because I know that I wouldn't have broken my ramrod trying to get that third bullet seated. I'm thru with MZ for this year, so I have all summer to play around with different loads, may try Barnes since a lot of folks on here like them so much.

Questions...While you are hunting, if you shoot once and reload do you swab the barrel before reloading? Everytime, even if you want another shot quickly? What do you use...dry patch? What about the possibility of plugging up the flash hole when you do that, do you take the time to run a pick, or whatever you call it, thru the flash hole?

I realize all of this may sound dumb to some of you more seasoned folk, but like I said, I'm still learning MZ...even though I may not be all that young.

Thanks,

DD

[AJ]

Re: MZ 101

I run a spit patch (dry patch I licked) after every shot. I push it down the bore wet side out, and turn it around and repeat. Even in the field. I have shot two deer within a minute doing this method. I have a cleaning jag on one end of my ramrod and a bullet seating tool on the other. Some cleaning jags can double as bullet seaters. I had not had the problem of a plugged flash hole.

The problem you had is the dreaded crud ring. One of the ranges I belonged to banned the use of wooden ramrods on club grounds. Too many occurances of rods breaking and being driven through hands and wrists. I use all aluminum rods. It adds a little weight, but its not going to break.

[Guest HaDeRonDa]

Re: MZ 101

If you are using a 209 you are not going to plug a flashhole after one shot. No way!

As far as spitpatching. I do normally but not always. It doesn't affect my bullet one way or another that I have noticed, if it's just the second shot. I say, if it's the second or third shot, if you can do it, shove it down it's throat!!

It will eat it.

AJ mentioned the "crud ring". I will mention the pressure that you should be seating your bullet at. Try around 35 lbs of force. You can practice this by getting out a bathroom type scale and just practice pushing on your rod. In time you will get the feel of just how hard to push. Typically new guys seat one bullet with (x) amount of force and the second rushed loading is way off. Either hard or soft or not even seated, sometimes due to that crud ring.

When you get a chance take your breech plug out and look down the barrel. You will see that dreaded crud ring if your barrel has not been cleaned. That is what can cause you grief!!! A spit patch can help break this apart.

[WABS]

Re: MZ 101

I think you need to rethink your decision to go away from Powerbelts. I've shot them for years and taken many many deer. Nothing wrong with their performance.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

Re: MZ 101

I carry a film canister with wet with alcohol patches and another with some dry ones and if possible I swab with a wet patch and run a couple of dry patches. I shoot either #11 or musket caps and have never plugged a flashhole yet. Infact when I push the wet patch down I can hear air going through the nipple. My rifle shoots better that way too.

[too_pointer]

Re: MZ 101

[ QUOTE ]

I think you need to rethink your decision to go away from Powerbelts. I've shot them for years and taken many many deer. Nothing wrong with their performance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like them too, the .295 grn. is my favorite, doesn't mean that your gun will shoot as well as mine, but

if you like them, try adjusting your powder charge.

too_

[LETMGROW]

Re: MZ 101

I have to agree with AJ on the wooden ramrod. My first muzzleloader came with a wooden ramrod. I dispensed with it when I shot at a deer which I clearly had missed. I reloaded my MZ and in my haste I forgot to remove the ramrod before drawing down on the deer and firing the second shot. That ramrod went I don't know how far exactly, but it wasn't much good when I did find it! The shot missed the deer as you would expect. The deer just stood there and looked at me. What the h**l, it must have thought. I couldn't reload. No ramrod.

I got a replacement and the first time I tried to use it ,it broke. Only scratching my wrist, I invested in a fiberglass rod. I can see why some ranges would ban the use of wooden ramrods. GOOD thinking.