Well, I got to shoot my muzzleloader for the first time today. The first time I shot I used 70gr of powder and a PRB. It diddnt kick to hard at all. I was 25yds away. Then shots I ran a patch thru the barrel. The end of the ram rod came off! We found an air compressor and blew it out. So I went back and shot one round off with 80gr powder. Then I loaded another round ball and forgot the powder! After that we went home and blew it out with out compressor. I did alot of cleaning and got all the bore butter out that my grandpa used when he had it. It took way over 100 patches, alot of solvent, and hot water. After over 1hr we got it out nice and good. There was also alot of rust in the rifle that came out. We then put rust preventave on and put it away. I can understand why all the rust was there. The rifle sat for about 30yrs with only bore butter. I had a bad experiance but alot of fun shooting the 2 times I shot it. Now that we cleaned it really well grandpa is gonna take me out next weekend and sight it in! Cant wait to go hunting.

Well the big thing is slow down... take your time and focus on what you're doing. The you do not forget one thing or the other. It sounds like the rifle was working just fine. Better luck on the next shoot and keep us posted...

Sharp Shooter

Congratulations Shooter! You are now an official muzzleloader - each time you shoot it get to be more fun... Remember what Cayugad says "take your time" - it will make it a lot more fun. I got out to shoot today, I shot only 24 rounds but I was in the rock pit for almost 3 hours, make it last...

If pitting exists in that bore, you better get it checked out by a gunsmith. Ignition pressures could expand the damage already done. If it's superficial rust, that can be corrected.

Sharp Shooter,
Congratulations.....It sounds like you had a lot of fun, despite having some problems. I hope the next time you and your Grandpa get to go, that things go better for you.
I don't doubt for one minute that all of us here have at one time or another forgot "powder before patch and ball or it won't go at all"
I'm glad that you had a good time with your Grandpa. I'm sure that you'll never forget this day.....cool

CONGRATS ON GETTING TO SHOOT YOUR ML. LIKE
ALREADY POSTED TAKE TWO OR THREE DEEP BREATHS
THEN LOAD AND HAVE FUN. BEING A GRANDPA I CAN
TELL YOU THOSE TIMES ARE "PRICELESS"!!!!
GOOD SHOOTING......GOD BLESS

well i'm glad i'm not the only one just getting into the sport. hopefully i'll get to shoot mine for the first time this coming weekend.

Before I could shoot today I had to shovel all the snow out of the way because the trap was under the snow line... but we got that done and was all set to shoot (even was cleaning the oil out of the barrel) when company decided to stop over. So I ended up sitting around the house most of the afternoon and never did get to shoot... [&o]

At least I will be all set for tomorrow come snow or shine...