The Witness Mark

I see the muzzle loading section is quiet again that in a way is inviting some posting.

I often wonder how many actually apply this method to their ML activities. For me using a SML this approach is essential to avoid a possible disaster. A witness mark basically confirms if the bore has some form of a load present. The witness mark is usually placed on a ramrod. In my case I have another method that works well. Regardless a witness mark is an ally to protect from a possible mishap.

In the field there are no real distractions but before I load, I still stick the ramrod into the bore. When it sits flush with the muzzle, I’m good to load. At the range is another story when other people are present. Someone always seems to want to talk or ask questions when you are in the middle of loading. Then when you are done chatting and get back to loading you need to re-orientate yourself as to where you left off. A witness mark tells the story.

Very wise info I was distracted once at the range and the mark on the rod told the story ,but I also went one step futher when in DOUBT DUMP IT OUT . When I started this sml adventure I you tube it and some of the video scared me , but I havent looked back

Overtheir

When I first started out with the SML experience I didn’t feel fear but apprehension of something going wrong by doing something wrong that would cause a calamity. But that apprehension was overcome by using a strict loading procedure at the range to start with. Also carefully loading and identifying my vials of powder. Another practice I use is working only one weight of bullet at a time per range outing. By doing so there’s a less chance of a mix-up.

My motto is “When it doubt check it out” before firing.

I don't but I should. I use pre-formed pellets in my "blackpowder" muzzle loader, and I always use 2, so it's pretty easy to tell when you haven't used the correct number of pellets or something isn't right. Anyway, I suppose it would be easy to mark the ramrod with a bit of white paint or something just to be safe.

Scared may be poorly chosen word I used extra caution paid more attention to detail

Whatever you do, Don't look up savage smokeless muzzleloader accident pictures LOL

Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by rf2

I don't but I should. I use pre-formed pellets in my "blackpowder" muzzle loader, and I always use 2, so it's pretty easy to tell when you haven't used the correct number of pellets or something isn't right. Anyway, I suppose it would be easy to mark the ramrod with a bit of white paint or something just to be safe.

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I do mark my ramrod,using 2 3/Seven pellets-and boy oh boy,did it help.
Once i forgot the powder(not a biggie)just pain to take out the projectile,and once i loaded 2 bullets one on top of the other(ouch)not sure what would be the outcome,shooting 2 x 50 gr 3/7 pellets ,and trying to push out 2 Shockwave bullets at once..............

Because there was a mention of Savage SML barrel failure I felt a clarification is needed here.
All barrels are susceptible to failure if their designed max pressure is exceeded. In the case of the Savage SML a pressure that exceeds 120,000-PSI could well rupture the barrel. Their barrels are hardened and tempered for strength. You would have to do something really foolish to rupture a Savage SML barrel.

In most cases shooters have bulged their barrel by reaching a certain pressure that just resulted in a pooched barrel. By keeping bore pressure under 40,000-PSI you are shooting in a very safe range. Some have asked if there is any indication of possible high pressure developing? If you are seeing bulged primers shooting from a clean BP and proper sized vent that might be a wakeup call. The primer is not fully seated in the BP and the bulge occurs in the area that is not fully seated.

With all that I’ve learned about the 10ML-II, following a loading procedure and employing a witness mark I feel quite comfortable shooting my 10ML-II.

Thanks, worthwhile and doesn't cost anything.
Hope to get the ML out again soon, haven't used it in a while.

I have the ramrods marked with strips of electrical tape. Offers ease of removal if re-adjustment is necessary .......

https://i.imgur.com/zvrwN14.jpg

Great idea, I will do that next time out with ML.

Few years back, safety perspective, I drew the following for some inexperienced young guys in my hunt group who had acquired in-line MLs for the very first time.

Depending on rod length, I usually have either 1 or 2 marks (range rods tend to be longer).

Perhaps this may also be of some help for anyone here who may be thinking of getting an ML rifle ..... :)

https://i.imgur.com/bO0Wwsw.jpg

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Originally Posted by sharps4570

I have the ramrods marked with strips of electrical tape. Offers ease of removal if re-adjustment is necessary .......

https://i.imgur.com/zvrwN14.jpg

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Thanks for providing detailed posts about the usage of a witness mark. I also see you use palm savers for loading. I also use a form of palm saver for loading tighter loads. Just out of curiosity which style of palm saver do you prefer?

My ramrod is marked as well, the older I get the easier I get distracted!

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Originally Posted by ET1

Thanks for providing detailed posts about the usage of a witness mark. I also see you use palm savers for loading. I also use a form of palm saver for loading tighter loads. Just out of curiosity which style of palm saver do you prefer?

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Both examples cited above work well for me. The TC product (red) is comfortable to use. However, the CVA small round knob nestles better inside the palm and facilitates smooth, downward thrust to seat a tight(er) projectile.

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Originally Posted by sharps4570

Both examples cited above work well for me. The TC product (red) is comfortable to use. However, the CVA small round knob nestles better inside the palm and facilitates smooth, downward thrust to seat a tight(er) projectile.

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Thanks for responding to my query.

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Originally Posted by ET1

I often wonder how many actually apply this method to their ML activities. For me using a SML this approach is essential to avoid a possible disaster. A witness mark basically confirms if the bore has some form of a load present.

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Hi Ed, good topic. A few of the guys that shoot here are older and have poor memories, mixed that with a lot of talking while we're shooting. Unfortunately, we have to do bullet pulls quite often..mostly just to be sure and to be safe.

I made myself some ‘Go-no-Go’ gauges out of some wood Dowling (see below) for the MLs that I shoot; .45 Kentucky, .50 in-line and .58 PH Musketoon

I choose dowels closest to the width of the caliber and keep them out in the range shack for quick and easy confirmation if I have any doubts about the status of the load.

If loaded properly the orange bands protrudes fully out of the barrel.
If it sticks out longer than the orange it would be a double ‘something’ wrong.
If it's partially loaded and questioned (did I put the powder in yet?) : the orange band is partially out.
If the chamber is empty the orange band isn’t visible.

I also use them as a ‘Warning’ flag…I put them in the ML if it has a load (no primer) when I store it while during hunting week, just to remind me is loaded when I pick it up again.

Cheap, easy to make and like you said, makes it safer…and as Martha says ” that’s a good thing :)


https://i.imgur.com/TbUmMt1m.jpg

Hey Mike
Thanks for joining in and the input for this thread. Shooting ML and SML can be fun and challenging but at the same time also dangerous if simple safety practices are not employed. Range chit-chat can be enjoyable but also the distraction can put us in a precarious situation when we resume shooting without checking where we left off.

About memory is that I always thought only long-term memory would be affected with age. Funny thing is that my short-term memory is affected even more so. One question I often keep asking myself is, Did I or Didn’t I ….? Often when I deal with distractions my original train of thought gets derailed and need to back track to get on track again. The joy of getting older, chuckle.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I don't but I should. I use pre-formed pellets in my "blackpowder" muzzle loader, and I always use 2, so it's pretty easy to tell when you haven't used the correct number of pellets or something isn't right. Anyway, I suppose it would be easy to mark the ramrod with a bit of white paint or something just to be safe.

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I have a couple of notches on my ramrod. One is for empty, one is for loaded with two pellets, one is loaded with 3.

I like to be safe.