Newbie Questions

[TreeWalker]

OK....I've got some pretty basic questions here.....and one of them inasked in another thread, but i think it would be best to ask them all...right here...together....

1. When talking aboout inlines, particularily TCs.....why do so many folk only shoot 100gr (2 pellets) when the max rating can call for up to 150 gr (3 pellets) ???? I see several of you do shoot 3 pellets, but so many more only shoot 2........is there not that much gained from 2 to 3 ?? Or is it a money thing (more cost effective) ??

2. When comparing Pyrodex and Triple-7 powders, how often can you go between cleanings concerning both ?? I know how important cleaning is, but I am just trying to get a feel.......they had a sale on Pyrodex today, so i bought them to get me started....but I also know they burn a little dirtier......I'm wondering if I should have just bit the bullet and bought the T-& right off the bat..........

3. What is the best tool for cleaning the orifice of the breach plug ??

4. My encore is stainless....can a guy get away with more, because of that....meaning are they less susceptable to corrosion ??

5. What is the most effective soboted load out there......or should I say, your favorite ??

Thanks for any tips guys.....I can't wait to go out and shoot this tomorrow.......yahoooooo

[johnf]

Re: Newbie Questions

1. Several different reasons for lighter loads.

a. Some guns will be more accurate with a lighter load.

b. Lighter loads don't kick as much

c. If you know your range doesn't call for a magunum load there is no reson to spend 50% extra for the powder.

2. I swab out with windex or spit patch between every shot regardless of the propelant. I thuroughly (sp?) clean the gun at the end of season. Using 777 makes the cleaning a little easier, but the routine is the same either way.

3. I use a pipe cleaner and an old toothbrush.

4. I would clean a stainless gun as often as I do my blued ones

5. I us T/C shockwaves and have had good results.

[GWSmith]

Re: Newbie Questions

1. My rifle is rated to go up to a 150gr load. I shoot loose powder and I've been lucky enough to have a Chronograph to shoot through. I went as high as 150gr but I found that after 120gr FFg there was no increase in bullet speed. What that tells me is there is powder that is not being burnt, because of my short barrell length, after I go over 120gr.

I found my best grouping, shooting the same sabot and bullet the entire time, while shooting 90gr.

2. I shoot GOEX FFg loose BP.

I spit patch between each shot while on the range and clean the entire rifle that night at home.

Cleaning between each shot allows me to have consistency and also helps when loading the next sabot

I've gone up to 6 shots without cleaning but it got progressively harder to load.

3. NipplePick or strong Needle.

4. Care for your rifle like you want it to last.

5. Let your rifle tell you after you have shot several different load combinations through it at the range.

[archerjg]

Re: Newbie Questions

1: I shoot 2 pellets as that is what my gun likes for accuracy. It is accurate with three pellets, but two gives me a better consistency and I am not shooting more than 100 yards.

2: After about 6 to 7 shots it starts to get hard to load my muzzleloader so that is the maximum I will shoot before cleaning. I usually clean it every couple of shots.

3: I soak my breach plug in T/C 17 solvent and then wipe it dry.

4: I am not sure. I would still clean mine regularly.

5: My Black Diamond XR likes the 250 Shockwaves and bonded shockwaves. It also shoots the plain XTP mags nicely with 2 pellets of 777.

Good luckwith your muzzleloader.

Archerjg

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

Re: Newbie Questions

1. I do not shoot pellets. I shoot Goex 2f. My reasons are Pellets are much more expensive than loose. Loose gives me more options load wise than pellets. Pellets are best ignited by a 209 shotgun primer which in my opinion causes their own problems in many rifles.

2. You mention cleanings. If you are referring to the between shot swabbings I swab with alcohol between each shot. I do a thorough cleaning as soon as possible after each session of shooting.

3. Most often I use cotton swabs, pipe cleaners and old toothbrushes.

4. Stainless cleans up a bit better but do not fall for not cleaning thoroughly because your rifle is stainless because stainless does rust and corrode. It is tougher but not impervious to rusting.

5. We could all tell you our super duper go to load but it may not be your super duper load. These rifles are somewhat individuals in what they like. You will just have to experiment with different combos of powder and bullet weight and even the fit of bullet/sabot in the barrel. That is what I like, all the experimentation to find what old smoky likes.

[LETMGROW]

Re: Newbie Questions

I use 2 777 pellets in my Traditions Pursuit Pro and my TC Black Diamond. 3 made my groups open up too much.

Any muzzleloader needs to be cleaned thouroughly after shooting. I never let mine set over night after it has been fired. I think SS gives a little false courage. You won't wear it out from too much cleaning.

I clean small parts with DL handcleaner. I rub the cleaner on and let it soak while I clean the barrel. I rinse the parts in hot water and dry them with a hair dryer. Recently I tried CVA'S Barrel Blaster gel cleaner. I really liked it and this will probably become my preferred cleaning method.

My bullet of choice is Winchester's 260 gr. Partition Gold saboted bullet.

[horst]

Re: Newbie Questions

I shoot about 75 grains of loose 777 in mine.I was shooting more but I accidently discovered I got much tighter groups with way less powder when I was trying to find a lighter load for my kid to hunt with.Ive shot deer at a little past 100 yards with these loads and they work very well at that range.

I dont swab between shots, but do clean the gun every night if I have shot it.After 9 or 10 shots Ive seen very little difference in my gun with a clean vs. dirty barrel.Most hunting situations Ill only be taking one, maybe two shots so its not something I worry about a lot.Might not hold true with your gun.

I like 777, Pyrodex in my gun was much dirtier.The pyrodex pellets were the worst load I used in my old gun, after 3 shots you couldnt shove another bullet down even if you did swab it.Havent tried pellets or pyrodex with my new gun.My old Knight have a very tight bore to begin with though and didnt take much fouling to become hard to load

I use a pipe cleaner and small wire brush from a gun cleaning kit on my breach plug along with a rag and hot soapy water.

Stainless vs. Blued= no idea

I shoot a 240 grain shockwave, gonna try the easy glides this year just to see if theres any noticable difference.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Newbie Questions

I shoot loose powder Clay. I prefer to custom tailor my loads to what works best for my gun. In my setup, a black diamond, I have found my best performance with the loose pyrodex to be using 120 grains of powder with the 240 grain TC xtp mags. Gettting great accuracy from my gun with that load.

I run a spit patch between shots when practicing.

Have tried american pioneer powder, dont waste your money on that stuff, it is junk. Would like to try 777, but still have a half a can of the app and 2 cans of loose pyro I need to shoot first.

Far as cleaning, I have yet to try the foaming cleaners, but sounds like they are the way to go. Still using dish soap and hot water here for now. then a toothbrush and pipe cleaners around everywhere that I cannot use a rag.

[wyohunter]

Re: Newbie Questions

since i just purchased a traditions you all have given close to the same insights, i too can use 150 grs of powder, my buddy also uses 100 grains, so thats where i'll start off with, great tips guys, thanks

[bigmoss]

Re: Newbie Questions

Clay I am shooting the same setup and you as you saw from the pics and am lucky enough to be friends with Greg Ritz and have picked his brain allot LOL.

I only use 2 50 grain pellets as I find it is much more accurate right out to 200 yrds that way, there was just too much all over the place with 150 grains.

I also shoot either TC 250 grain shockwave sabots or 295 grain Powerbelt Aerotips. The pic below is one I posted this fall before my yearly Sask trip and the groups have only gotten better since. But even in that pic for 150 yards is smokin.

I only run a brush and then a wet patch after every 3-4 shots. Before I hunt I ALWAYS take one shot to dirty the barrels as I find the Encore shoot much better that way. A spotless barrel will always shoot off its first shot I have found.

In regards to the breech and Barrel I use Triple7 as I find the Encore likes it much better than pyrodex and it cleans up much better, rinse the barrel with just water, run a brush down it, water again, patch with bore shine, dry patch, then finished. I also like the others use an old tooth brush with boar shine for the threads, then a little grease around the plug and put it back in for storage.

Just my 2 cents but I have owned CVA, Traditions, Knight and once I got the Encore will NEVER own anything else for ML or Rifle.

[superguide]

Re: Newbie Questions

Ty shoots two 50 grain 777 and powerbelt bullets-he reloads right after every shot so sometimes his (Omega) doesn't get cleaned till after the end of the season-it hasn't hurt accuracy or otherwise in three years.

[SaskMan]

Re: Newbie Questions

I guess I'm in the minority here as I shoot 100 grains loose powder, 777, much more than that and I start to spray them a bit.

I never run a patch through after a shot if I'm sighting in, I should only punch 2 or 3 at a target anyways in my theory. My scope should never unsight itself.

I'm a pipe cleaner and wire brush for the breech and nipple kind of guy. lol That works well for me. I also check it out every couple months and give it a quick wipe if it looks like it needs it. I don't reassemble it after a post season cleaning, keep the breech etc. in a zip lock.

I shoot 300 grain Barnes Bullets, I have found them to be the most consistent. I've tried lots of kinds, it;s a personal preference thing. In terms of effectiveness...they hit hard.