Most Overrated Muzzleloading Accessories

[Grenadier1758]

We have been taking a look at the items that we need and the items that most of us overlook or use so naturally that we don't think about them.

What are the items that we have used that are way overrated?

Some of the top items are the percussion systems that use 209 shotgun caps. Too many small, easy to loose, slow to use another cap and really no batter than magnum caps.

The use of Bore Butter with the false expectation of seasoning the bore.

Cleaning procedures that don't use water as the primary solvent to remove fouling.

That one needs an expensive, custom rifle to shoot accurately. Really, it proper load development, lock tuning and practice to get rifles in any price level to shoot accurately.

 

[deermanok]

This may not be exactly what you're asking about but I think that speed is way overrated. If it's not fast as the speed of sound, it's not worth using a particular bullet or powder.

 

[Boston123]

Those little weird "knapping hammers" you ostensibly use to re-edge flints. I just pop a flake off using the elbow of the frizzen.

 

[Grimord]

I believe the most over rated BP accessory is the metal capper. A piece of thick leather with cap sized holes punched along the edge is all that is needed.

 

[Feltwad]

Has an original percussion shotgun shooter the main accessory for day shooting is a good strong ramrod not the one on the gun.
Feltwad

 

[.36Rooster]

My vote is for store bought black powder solvents. Totally unnecessary. And a waste of money.

Next vote might be for the capper. But I'm on the fence about it.. Looks great hanging from your bag, works excellent for putting ugly scratches on beautiful stocks. But far from being useless. Especially for some people...

 

[longcruise]

Ball bags

Dedicated "patch" knives

X2 on store bought solvents

Elaborate patch lubes

Slings

 

[.36Rooster]

I wear a Damascus sheath knife on my bag. That's what I cut my patches and anything else with. Takes too long to get my old timer out of my pocket. And I do most of my shooting in the dead of winter, so wearing it on my belt under my coat is out. I naturally catch myself cutting objects other than cloth sparingly to keep it sharp longer. So I guess you could say it is somewhat dedicated to patches.
So I might have to disagree with you.

 

[.36Rooster]

I will also say I shoot a heck of a lot better without a sling dangling and swinging around off my rifle. Yet slings are definitely a benefit on an all day still-hunt in the snow, or still hunting in general. A cold rifle will chill your hand right through your glove, and there's not many places to lean or lay your rifle while still hunting when you need to take your gloves off and use both hands.

 

[new2bp]

I will also say I shoot a heck of a lot better without a sling dangling and swinging around off my rifle. Yet slings are definitely a benefit on an all day still-hunt in the snow, or still hunting in general. A cold rifle will chill your hand right through your glove, and there's not many places to lean or lay your rifle while still hunting when you need to take your gloves off and use both hands.

Any rifle - BP, bolt action, or EBR - can be shot more accurately with a sling IF the sling is properly set up on the rifle and the shooter knows how to use it properly.

Sling should definitely not be hanging around and swinging around under the gun when you are shooting.

 

[david58]

Priming horn

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Ok I'm going to say it...

Bore Butter!

A tube of yellow Chapstick that you can't squeeze out if the tube when it's cold.

Years of marketing claiming it will "season" your Barrel, and you can load without wiping the bore for 1000 shots.

 

[Widows Son]

There is debate among target shooters that a drop tube is unnecessary.

And this is more furniture than accessory, but patch boxes in buttstocks don’t really need to be there.

 

[FishDFly]

Sling, all my hunting rifle wear one. It is used for carrying.

Several years ago I tripped over a root in the dark. In an effort to protect the stock from breaking as I fell, I landed on my side while holding onto the rifle. I did not break the stock, but managed to break 2 ribs. Now, I use a sling so I have both hands free in case of a fall.

 

[Carbon 6]

This is way over rated .

It requires two people to use.
All you need is a good piece of string, which weighs next to nothing and takes up virtually no room in your bag.

 

[sheriff john]

Flimsy and too-short factory ramrods. When they break (had several do so), fun's over without a spare or range rod. Too short ones are frustrating, especially in the woods. "Factory original" is ok for some. "Functional" works best for me.

 

[mushka]

I wish I knew what that is.

 

[Cruzatte]

• Short starters
• Patch knives
• Knapping hammers
• Those keyring contraptions with all the fiddly little gadgets you might need, but probably don't
• Pan brushes
• Priming horns
• Store bought patch lubes generally, and Bore Butter in particular (Exception to this are the animal fat based patch lubes for sale.)
• Store bought solvents

 

[Flintandsteel]

Vent picks. Ive got 3 or 4 of them. Cant remember the last time I've used one.
One of those things I guess, Its better to have it, and not need it, than need it, and not have it.

 

[TexiKan]

The Kadoodle. I saw one used in our club and it was not used with any frequency. It just did not justify its purpose.