Modern Muzzleloader Forum

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Safety

customguns@customguns
57 Posts
#1 · 08/05/2023, 21:30

I’ve heard from several guys this week that want to get into SML. However, they’re very concerned about getting injured. So I’d like to kick off a few safety tips and I hope you experienced SML shooters will be willing to add to the safety list. 
Starting loads should be on the low end and be from a reputable, proven source. 
Clearly mark your ramrod to proper seating depth of powder and bullet. 
Don’t chit chat while loading. Focus. Talking to buddies or multitasking in any manner is a good way to overcharge. 
I could list a lot more, but I’d like to read what safety tips others have. 

 

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Ninering62 has reacted to this post.
Ninering62
Ninering62@ninering62
48 Posts
#2 · 08/06/2023, 11:46
Quote from customguns on 08/05/2023, 21:30

I’ve heard from several guys this week that want to get into SML. However, they’re very concerned about getting injured. So I’d like to kick off a few safety tips and I hope you experienced SML shooters will be willing to add to the safety list. 
Starting loads should be on the low end and be from a reputable, proven source. 
Clearly mark your ramrod to proper seating depth of powder and bullet. 
Don’t chit chat while loading. Focus. Talking to buddies or multitasking in any manner is a good way to overcharge. 
I could list a lot more, but I’d like to read what safety tips others have. 

 

They should be very concerned. I do not think that any novice muzzleloader shooter with no reloading experience should be messing with any smokeless muzzleloaders. Period. 

Safety tips is a fantastic topic.

NEVER GUESS at what powder to use, or how much to use.

Always start out with a light load, then work up in very small increments.

When you’re reached the accuracy & velocity you want out of your gun, mark your ramrod with a “witness mark”. 

NEVER talk or interact with anyone while you are in your loading process. This is a VERY BAD practice & it will get you hurt or dead sooner or later.

Develop a loading procedure & do it exactly like that every single time. 

I set my bullets, powder tubes, primers for the string I’m going to shoot, all

in a line in front of me; 5 bullets, 5 wads, 5 powder tubes, 5 primer modules, so even if I get distracted by something, I always know exactly what I’ve loaded in my gun. This has saved me numerous times from making unnecessary mistakes. 

Consistency is key in muzzleloading, do everything exactly the same way, every single time. 

Use a chrony & a ballistics app.

Keep a detailed ” shooters log “. 

When weighing your powder charges, double or triple check them all so they are all exactly the same – down to the tenth of a grain.

 

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Comments

21 responses to “Modern Muzzleloader Forum”

  1. mb.mnt.monkey@gmail.com Avatar
    mb.mnt.monkey@gmail.com

    Been shooting a converted pair amount for about a year now Woodman arms did it for me Mark at Woodman arms if anyone else is looking, I’m a big Paramount fan in spite of the issues a lot of people have had with bullets and board dimensions I had those problems with my gun and that’s why I chose to be Barrel it very happy with it and the results and 18 twist brux,, was I able to get a number 17 Contour down into the factory stock with a little work I have since then put a new stock on the rifle a lot more to say maybe it’s time goes on.

  2. mb.mnt.monkey@gmail.com Avatar
    mb.mnt.monkey@gmail.com

    First post on a new site and I don’t bother to hit spell check sorry about that I do have my own language

  3. timmoss.social Avatar
    timmoss.social

    See your post.

  4. Sideshow Avatar
    Sideshow

    Well thats a pretty hot load alright in a 40 !!! A bit hotter than i desire .

    1. customguns Avatar
      customguns

      It is, but I checked with Ken at Brux Barrel and Kyle Pittman ran the Quickloads calculation on it. It’s a right stout recoil, even with a muzzle brake, but manageable and safe in my rifle.

      1. Sideshow Avatar
        Sideshow

        Yes a QuickLoads program is a Requirement for the 40 if you intend to stay healthy lol . In fact its difficult to keep lighter bullet loads in the 49 to 53 Kpsi areas with some faster powders and light bullets . Thats what Hankins brass moduals will handle usually . The Alum-bronze ,AB ,hard moduals handle to 62k psi or so . The quick pressure rise of a 40 is both good and bad but definately one to watch out for Very Carefully . The higher pressure is needed for cleaner burning of a powder . Just watch out for the 40s tendacy to suddenly spike with very little more powder .

  5. Sideshow Avatar
    Sideshow

    What i dont like is 300gr and above bullets seem to take massive powder charges to obturate bullets acceptably and truthfully full sizing too . TRUTHFULLY Direct ignition should be used too to help obturation with the long heavier bullets .
    Life on the lighter side is just far easier to me all around .

  6. Sideshow Avatar
    Sideshow

    INCIDENTLY ADMINISTRATORS …….
    Mtn Monkey gave me the web address of this site . On a google search it WONT BE FOUND . Without Marks info i Never could have got on here . Even to re find this site i must put that link he gave me back in . The history on my device connects to No Where . Just a heads up on what ive found guys . Figure i best say something .
    Oh yes i was going to start a thread under the 700ml section and couldnt figure out how to post it ?? Lol i know that sounds bad but……
    Thanks for your attention on these details . Sideshow…..

    1. Sideshow Avatar
      Sideshow

      My bad — I didnt tell you all congatulations !! Sorry guys .
      I know gettng the bugs out and such is only a time thing and will be handled . I hope to see you grow and prosper too . Smokeless muzzleloading seems to be in another “changeing” mode now . Im likeing the apparent offerings in choices listed . Good idea !!!

    2. customguns Avatar
      customguns

      It will take awhile for the site to rank on a Google search, but it’s registered with the search engines. Just takes time.

      1. Sideshow Avatar
        Sideshow

        Ok . I know new usually does .

      2. Sideshow Avatar
        Sideshow

        I hate to say this but ive been continueing to use google search to find this site . It doesnt work .
        I believe you are going to need a name change to be found . The previous site with this name is the ONLY ONE OFFERED .
        This will kill this one before it ever has a chance . If i dont use the web address mtn monkey gave to to click on i dont get on here . If i put in the Same Exact Things that are in the web address he gave me IT WILL NOT CONNECT TO HERE !!!
        If i were you id change the name because here is Not Recognized AT ALL . JUST SAYIN……this isnt working out .

        1. customguns Avatar
          customguns

          Sideshow,
          Took four months for my website to show up on Google and I used a professional company to register with all the search engines. This site shows up first on Yandex and second on several others. Google is not gun friendly. Site has been up a week. To pronounce it’s not working out is premature. I currently have five websites. All of them took time to climb the search engine rankings. By time I mean months.

          1. Sideshow Avatar
            Sideshow

            Tim the operation of this site has more troubles than you think . Not being a Smart A** just being honest . I cant tell you how many times ive had to make a new passward because mine doesnt work day to day . Yes im frustrated but im.also here to help you . Im telling you theres problems with this site . Whorever put it up professionally has got bugs to chase out of it . It Doesnt Work Right .

  7. logandriggers Avatar
    logandriggers

    Never owned a smokeless muzzleloader but am an avid hunter. What would be a great first smokeless muzzleloader to get

    1. customguns Avatar
      customguns

      Convert a CVA Scout 45/70 to a smokeless .45. Inexpensive way to get into SML and it’s a very accurate gun.

  8. customguns Avatar
    customguns

    As you find bugs please let us know so we can address them. Thanks

  9. Decay Avatar
    Decay

    Hi Tim.

    I like the idea of having you convert my Paramount 45 cal to a 40 cal Brux barrel so I can use VVN120 and a Fury 225gr Black tip. I want a 400 yd capable rifle that shoots incredibly good, and doesn’t kick my shoulder to death. I don’t want to use a muzzle brake. This rifle is almost exclusively for deer hunting from tower tree stands in the cold of Wisconsin’s December muzzleloader hunt. I’d like to keep the Paramount stock, and have the barrel match the OEM barrel’s external dimensions as close as possible to minimize cost of stock alterations, but if alterations are necessary, then that’s ok too. The barrel should match the color of the Paramount/Bergara barrel, or maybe a matte silver, but not be a shiny, high gloss finish, I’ll keep my Leupold VariXIII, 6 x 20 x 42 on it.

    What twist is best for the 225 grain, .402 Fury? 1:14? Do you think I’m wrong wanting the lighter weight Fury? If so what do you recommend?

    I’ll need you to help me order the Brux barrel.

    Thanks.

    1. customguns Avatar
      customguns

      I’ll defer to Mountain Monkey, Ninering62 or one of the other guys on best rate of twist on a light bullet. I only shoot heavier bullets, 350 grain in the .40. I like the high ballistic coefficient and energy dump the heavier bullets deliver. Where I hunt if the deer or bear doesn’t drop in its tracks, I may never find it. It’s always been my understanding the quicker rate of twist is for heavier bullets. My .40 has a 1 in 14 twist rate and I get .25” groups at 100 yards using 350 grain bullets.

    2. Sideshow Avatar
      Sideshow

      That 1 in 14 will serve you just fine for a 40 useing light bullets . You also will be fine with a #6 Brux on the gun for shooting considerably heavier loads and bullets . I have that now and will be recontouring to a 1.2 inch shank for a half pound loss with a slightly heavier , .025″ , than a #5 barrel for more weight reduction . I wont venture over the 275gr pittman or hammers with up to 80 gr of H4895 . Thats mid 2900s + velocity . 8lbs scoped braked or not thats gonna kick . 56 to 57gr of 4198 w a 225gr is 2800 fps from a 26in barrel . Less n120 will put you there and easily kill deer to 400yds and more .
      Youll want pittman hardcores too so the 228s he calls them . 2550 fps and under for regular pittmans that open up quickly and do massive damage but use the 3gr heavier hardcores for velocitys above that . Especially if youd like a exit wound . Hope this helps ..

  10. Mach3 Muzzleloaders Avatar
    Mach3 Muzzleloaders

    I use “Startpage.com” as my search engine when possible. It was developed by a conservative computer Geek. It does not track or keep records of your searches.

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