OT-consistency

[Andrew]

I had the chance to get off work early today, which also happened the be the first nice day for the last month. So naturally I headed for the cow fields(not mine, buddies) for some smoke generation.

My weapons of choice? The only BP guns I have; the ROA and my beater .50cal. Boy, did I have fun.

The beater shot.....good? I am no expert, actually, this was my first time shooting a ML rifle. It went bang every time and made holes in the paper, that's all I know. Oh, I also know that 100g of Pyrodex "P" is fun.

Anyhoo, the question at hand: How do you guys get consistent results from your BP revolvers? I think my loading varied from chamber to chamber no matter how hard I tried. Groups were "interesting".

Any thoughts?

[Griff]

Andrew,
I use a flask with a spout. The term "shake well before use" comes to mind. I shake it as I turn it upside down, levering open the valve and my thumb over the end of the spout. This puts a consistent volume of BP in the spout as I release the valve lever and turn it back right side up. I then pour into the chamber and place a wad and ram it home. I do that for all chambers to be loaded (5 for competition or 6 for plinkin') so that I'm using the same "feel" with each chamber. I then come back for loading each ball. I use a table and rest the butt so that I can apply a consistent pressure with the ram on the ball.

With my ML, I apply a similar technique. Except, that I use sound as the basis of when a charge is ready for capping and firing. After ramming the ball as far as it will go, I use the ramrod to "bounce" off the ball. When it rings with a certain "tone", I know it's compressed the powder to a certain point and is the "same" as the one before. Don't even ASK what "tone" that is!

[Andrew]

I had a similar routine minus the wad. I got pretty good at getting the tip full for every pour but somehow I just don't think that I am seating to the same degree. I probably don't pay enough attention to what I am doing could be part of my problems.