I shot my .40 today on the trail, David and we were discussing the problems some shooters have with snug combinations. With a .019" (mic) pocket drill patch and a .398" pure lead ball in my .398 bore'd .40, I loaded several without using the short starter and they were as easy as can be. They went down to the powder easily as well. Yes- I had to choke up on the rod and actually push the patched ball down into the muzzle. I was using almost straight WWWF for lube - just a hint of Neetsfoot oil in it. I then switched to a .0235" red/white/blue/blue mattress ticking patch, same bore sized ball and again, no problems however I did use the starter for those.
Some thing is wrong if you find them difficult to load - possible reasons for difficulty loading snug combinations:
1/. rough bore - perhaps non-flush cleaning didn't get all the fouling and it rotted some?
2/. sharp crown that is pushing a ridge of lead and not drawing & moulding the lead and patch into an easy fit?
3/. loose ball and patch combo building fouling in the bore?
4/. too little 'effort' expended in loading - it doens take some, but not much?
5/. failure to use the assistance of a starter to help get the ball started - if needed?
This crown, allows easy loading of combinations many think are too snug, yet it loads easily, once started, can be pushed home with only 2 fingers on the rod - yes, those fingers must squeeze the rod. - some.
This crown is less than 3/16" deep, is VERY smooth and allows easy swaging, drawing, moulding, whatever you want to call it, of the ball and patch into the bore. It is not a coned muzzle, which can be up to 1 1/2" to 2" deep.
