in a clean barrel I can just use the ram rod to get it down dont need a short starter, once dirty I need a short starter once down the barrel they go down pretty easy dont need to really lean on the rod, dont go down real hard but not super easy either, now would I be smart to try a heavier bullet will that help, like I said at 80 yards I am hitting a 6-7inch plate with every shot shot not grouping them like I would like, until I tried shooting with a dirty barrel whitch made those ssts go very hard to get started but I was getting great groups 3 shots less than 1.5inches apart, as far as my hunt I have a spot were I bow hunted there that is overlooking a small field maybe 120 yards by 70 yards when I setup in the middle I wont ave shot past 70 yards whitch is were I plan on hunting if I dont get my groups tighter, I just dont get I mean both trip 7 and pyrodex arent producing for me in my gun and the other 2 are getting great groups I am starting to question my luck I should have just got the wood blued combo....I have been shooting everyday and plan to again tommorow but I am gonna try some 300 grain bullets...