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freedom10
 Senior Boarder
Posts: 60 
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Muzzleloaders,
I have been trying to calibrate my muzzleloader (.54 cal Traditions, 1:40 twist). So far, here is what I have found, all at 50 yards:
1) .530 ball with a .015 patch was all over the place, 3-4 inches off bulleye in all directions (8 inch spread?). 2) .530 ball with a .018 patch is a little wild on a clean barrel, but has TIGHT groups after the gun has been fired (fouled). 3) Hornaby Great Plains Bullets (Maxiball?) with 100 grains RS fired within 1.5 inches from bullseye until barrel got fouled (2 or 3 shots even with swabbing), then all over the place (even off the paper).
My question is this, do these results suggest that going to a .535 ball with the .015 patch might be tighter on a clean barrel (which is what I would be hunting with)? Also, do any of you have similar results, particularly with the conicals getting wild after the barrel gets dirty? Lastly, after shooting 10 to 15 rounds through the gun, with swabbing after every 2 or 3 shots (using Pyrodex RS), I find that I can no longer plung the projectile to where I could on the clean gun, about 1 inch more of the rod sticks out. Is this typical?
Thanks for all advice! Please answer here, as I have done web searches for these answers to no avail.
Mike L.
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calushbaugh
 Senior Boarder
Posts: 59
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with a one in 40 twist, a conical bullet would be your best bet, normally speaking, anything faster than a 1;48 will not shoot a round ball that great. I shoot a .535 in my Lyman flintlock with a 1 in 60 twist, with a .022 patch, pillow ticking, using 80 grain of 2ff. as far as the fouling, how much powder are you using? you may need to cut it down to help stop this, or try a sabot, power belt bullets seem do ok, but each gun shoots different.
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11jason11
Senior Boarder
Posts: 61
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Mike,
Hang in there. It sounds to me that when you swab out the bore, you're pushing grund all the way to the bottom and then not getting that out. It might be interfering with ignition. You need to clean better. Use a brush, or a slotted tip with a big patch and twist it around (clockwise only! Only!) to clean out the rear.
2. Your 1:40 twist won't stabilize a round ball. Stick with conicals. It's perfect for those.
3. Start your bullet with care, making sure it is not rocking back and forth.
4. Ram consistently. Get a method. (I throw my rammer home until it bounces back. Works great for me.)
Just my opinions - Jim
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