Manual

Fouling in the bore of a muzzleloader will increase pressure. When

shooting a muzzleloader, consecutive shots without cleaning will display

rapid shot-to-shot increases in pressure, a variation in velocity and a result-

ant decrease in accuracy. As Black Powder fouling builds in the bore of your

muzzleloader, loading will become more difficult until it reaches the point

where it becomes impossible to properly seat the projectile.

Different types of lubricants used in cleaning, or in conjunction with

lubing patched round balls and conical projectiles will produce different de-

grees of fouling when they react to the combustion of Black Powder. Gen-

erally, petroleum based (or synthetic) lubricants will produce far more foul-

ing, and cleaning the bore between shots will be necessary in order to main-

tain consistent pressures, or ease the loading process from shot to shot.A

natural lubricant such as T/C’s Natural Lube 1000 Plus Bore Butter will sea-

son the bore from shot to shot, drastically reducing fouling. The shooter will

not have to clean between shots, and pressures will remain consistent.

Muzzleloading projectiles must be cast from pure lead. Many lead

alloys, such as those found in Linotype and wheel weights, resemble lead

but will cast hard, oversize projectiles. Such projectiles will prove extreme-

ly difficult to load and raise pressures even in a clean bore (see section on

“Bullet Molds”). Never use lead alloys to cast muzzleloading projectiles.

Any increase in bullet weight with a given powder charge will always in-

crease pressure. If a shooter has been loading a patched round ball and then

decides to use the heavier Maxi-Ball or Maxi-Hunter he must go back to the

starting charge and work up slowly to the best performing load.

Improper loading can lead to a serious and dangerous pressure condi-

tion. To function properly the muzzleloading projectile (Maxi-Ball, Maxi-

Hunter or Patched Round Ball) must be seated tightly against the powder

charge.

Never fire a muzzleloading firearm if the ball or bullet is only

part way down the barrel.

Mark your ramrod, as explained in the “Load-

ing Section”, and follow instructions carefully.

Variations in patch lubricants and bullet lubricants will effect velocity

and accuracy, as well as having an effect on the amount of fouling which de-

velops. Use of T/C’s Natural Lube 1000 Plus Bore Butter, an all natural lu-

bricant, developed far less fouling, and permitted extended reloading be-

tween shots without the necessity to clean between these shots. Velocity and

accuracy impr

oved over other lubricants used.

The preceding text is offered in an attempt to guide the novice and to

help him obtain optimum results from his muzzleloading firearm. The read-

er must bear in mind that a muzzleloader is not capable of developing the