We’ll I did it !!!

I was talking to another ML shooter and was definitely distracted and I know better. Going to have to get serious about concentrating when loading.

I've always said there are two types of muzzleloader shooters, those that have dry balled and those that will. I hope this isn't one of those things, I'm yet to do that!

BillyC said:

Not sure what that means.

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He's asking if the ramrod caused an obstruction in the barrel that may have made a ring or bulge in the barrel.

Have not yet had the misfortune of shooting my RR. Soon as I load the barrel the RR goes back into
the thimbles before I go near the lock.

That’s how old Clark Gable killed Ricardo Montalban in “Across the Wide Missouri.”

In over 60 years of shooting muzzleloaders I have never shot my ramrod…..YET! But I have dry balled a few times, forgot to prime or cap a few times, got a ball stuck in the bore a few times, tripped on a woods walk fell on the rifle and broke the stock once. But there is still time to shoot my ram rod….just a matter of time!!

I nearly dry balled my first round out of my rifle. I had several friends around giving advise and distracting me. I would have done it if it weren’t for that thick patch!

Membership in this elite group is more exclusive than those who dry ball. Yes, I did it many years ago when I had loaded on the range and then the Range Master called the range cold for a short time to fix something. I put the rod down the barrel to remind me it was loaded. The fellow next to me and I began talking and then we heard the Range Master call the range hot. I grabbed my rifle and capped it. It was only after touching off the shot did I realize I failed to have removed the ramrod. Ouch! Never found it, either.

I prefer to shoot alone so I don't get distracted. That was the cause of me shooting my ramrod. A friend talking to me and asking questions.

Been there, done that - fortunately it was at a N-SSA shoot and was I able to procure a replacement ramrod from S&S Firearms at sutlers row

I make custom order rangerods and have had several shot out by customers. That includes the wooden handle and all. Really makes some recoil I am told.

Newaygo77 said:

That’s how old Clark Gable killed Ricardo Montalban in “Across the Wide Missouri.”

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In the real world that wouldn't have happened because Clark hadn't primed his rifle.

Daniel Boone did it. I saw him kill an Indian like that.lol
Where I worked we got a plaque with our screw ups on it at Christmas party.

FWIW my ramrod went through the bullseye then turned slightly right and ended up sticking up out of the ground 75 yards away. Other than about 10 inches broken off the back it was in good shape. I’m still pretty mad at myself but stuff happens. No harm to me, the rifle or anyone else so I’ll be able to laugh about it in a couple of years.

Sooner or later I will.

That is still a yet for me. I dry ball, all the time. It comes mostly with interruptions at friendly shooting matches. It's even more embarrassing when done while alone even though there's nobody there to witness it.

Walt

BillyC said:

FWIW my ramrod went through the bullseye then turned slightly right and ended up sticking up out of the ground 75 yards away. Other than about 10 inches broken off the back it was in good shape. I’m still pretty mad at myself but stuff happens. No harm to me, the rifle or anyone else so I’ll be able to laugh about it in a couple of years.

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I dry balled one the other day. Good thing I had a steel range rod and puller. I was distracted too. It happens.

The man who taught me to cook was a professional chef. He taught me to mis en place. It is French for put in place. Before starting to work on a dish you get all the ingredients together, measured, cut, or otherwise prepared and lined up on your work surface.
Maybe I should take that approach to loading my ML's.

I’m trying to develop a process. Yesterday I planned on shooting three groups of three shots so I put 9 balls in patches in my loading block. Haven’t figured out what to do about powder yet. I’m thinking I might put a note on my shooting box that says “Powder, Patch, Ball, Ramrod so I’ll see it every time I load

SOLANCO said:

The man who taught me to cook was a professional chef. He taught me to mis en place. It is French for put in place. Before starting to work on a dish you get all the ingredients together, measured, cut, or otherwise prepared and lined up on your work surface.
Maybe I should take that approach to loading my ML's.

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That’s funny, the man who taught me to cook was from Houma LA. A true Cajun chef. He did the same thing. Must’ve been a French thing. I miss him.