JLmoore1956

I of all people am not a PRB expert not even close... I do a lot of PRB shooting in the spring and early summer shooting the different local Rondy shoots in my area.

I know and I watch of people do exactly what you are describing but it has always bothered me to a certain extent... beating the ball to the bottom with the ram-rod.

A couple of my thoughts were I really did not want the loading jag bouncing off the ball and into the walls of the bore, nor do I want it sliding down the bore as I throw it down the barrel, I know the jag is brass and should not effect the metal of the bore - but non-the-less I can not doe that way. Another area of concern for me is the Crown of the bore... all the time you are bouncing the rod off the ball you are also causing un-due wear on the inside rim of the crown.

With all that said... I really do not know if it is wrong, but I choose to push the load down and firmly seat it on the powder... In the same thought after I pour the powder I do hold the rifle verticle and tap the side of the rifle on the opposite side of the nipple to settle and level the powder, then insert patch and ball. I listen and feel the patch and ball sit and crunch the powder. And finally at that point I do put a firm pressure seat on the patch and ball.

Again - I honestly do not know what is right but that is the way I have taught myself...