Manual

Loading Sabots When Using Loose

Black Powder or Granular Pyrodex

The procedures for loading sabots or conical bullets when using loose Black Powder

or Pyrodex are basically the same as when using Pyrodex Pellets; the only difference being

that instead of dropping Pyrodex pellets down the bore, you will be pouring premea-

sured charges of Black Powder (FFG) or Pyrodex (RS) powder. As with pellets, care

should be taken to seat the sabot firmly against the powder. Do not pound it. Again, mark

your ramrod at the muzzle, ensuring that each time you load; the projectile will be seat-

ed at the same depth.

If you are loading an all-lead conical like T/C’s Maxi-Ball or Maxi-Hunter, proceed

as follows; do not use a cloth patch with these projectiles. They should be lubed, and are

designed to be shot as cast (not sized). T/C Maxi-Balls and Maxi-Hunters now come from

the factory prelubed. However, if you find some unlubed bullets, we recommend that you

lube these bullets with an all-natural lubricant, free of petroleum, like T/C Natural Lube

1000 Plus Bore Butter. Maxi-Balls and Maxi-Hunters do not have to be sized. Sizing will

alter the diameter of the forward bearing band, and this will destroy the accuracy of the

projectile and dangerously decrease its diameter (a loose fitting projectile can move off

the powder charge). When loading a Maxi-Ball or Maxi-Hunter bullet, you will note how

only the forward most bearing band grooves to the rifling when loading. The base of the

bullet upsets (increases in diameter) on firing, causing it to fill the grooves, thus stabiliz-

ing the projectile.

When loading sabots, do not lubricate them. They are intended to be loaded into the

muzzleloader just as they come from the package. In fact, for best results, it is recom-

mended that all evidence of oil or lubricant be removed from the bore before loading a

sabot - the drier the bore the better for optimal accuracy.

Hold the rifle as pictured on page 25 and pour your measured powder charge into

the barrel. Start the lubricated bullet or sabot into the bore with your fingers. The base of

the projectile will enter the bore easily with finger pressure. Drive the projectile down

about four inches into the barrel with the rod end of the starter. Using short strokes with

the ramrod, push the projectile the remainder of the way down the barrel until it contacts

the powder charge. The sabot or conical bullet must be seated firmly against the

powder charge. Seat the projectile with exactly the same pressure shot after shot. Study

Photo “A”. Remove the ramrod before you prime the firearm.