AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: dougblack on October 04, 2018, 03:04:03 AM

Title: ramming ball and patch
Post by: dougblack on October 04, 2018, 03:04:03 AM
I am new to flintlocks.  Can anyone tell me why after three firings I find it very difficult to ram a ball and patch?  I have a .45 caliber longrifle.
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: smylee grouch on October 04, 2018, 03:25:02 AM
Sounds like a dirty bore. What ball/patch/lube combo are you using?
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: rich pierce on October 04, 2018, 03:33:06 AM
Agree, ball, patch and lube matter. If your combo is not tight enough and slippery enough to push all the fouling down when you load, fouling buildup will increase in the bore with every shot. Took me awhile to try and believe that a tighter combo is easier and better.
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: smylee grouch on October 04, 2018, 03:46:48 AM
Yes it should load better with the right combo but your accuracy will most likely be far better too. Welcome to the forum BTW.  :)
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: Daryl on October 04, 2018, 03:58:20 AM
Quote from: dougblack on October 04, 2018, 03:04:03 AM
I am new to flintlocks.  Can anyone tell me why after three firings I find it very difficult to ram a ball and patch?  I have a .45 caliber longrifle.

Welcome to the forum, Doug Black.  The guys here have a good handle on this game.

Rich is spot-on.
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: hanshi on October 04, 2018, 08:11:06 PM
Welcome, Doug Black.  You can, of course, swab between shots until you find a good load; then you won't have to.  Smooth the barrel crown with thumb and sandpaper first.  TOW mink oil and Hoppes #9 BP Lube are great for this.  Usually the thicker the patches the more easily the prb goes down. 
Title: Re: ramming ball and patch
Post by: Daryl on October 04, 2018, 09:32:13 PM

(https://preview.ibb.co/i2uzEK/PB241921.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eJ84gz)

(https://preview.ibb.co/nqSx1z/Crowns45and58001_zps2a7b2e16.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jPreEK)

(https://image.ibb.co/dkAs1z/Bauska_Barrel_448_505.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dPkguK)

(https://preview.ibb.co/hrEkMz/P6101151_zps60eb38b8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cqJC1z)