smokeless powder in a muzzle-loader

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Scarry stuff. When I load my Omega I pay very close attention to what I am doing. I have never heard of the Omega blowing up but I am sure it could happen. The savage smokeless gun is used by thousands so I am sure this is just a fluke...

[jaycee]

There are those that should not be around fire arms of any type , regular cartridge rifles , black powder muzzle loaders or smokeless , also shot guns .
These people are in most cases , [an accident waiting for a place to happen] have seen this at the club many times over the years ie; hey look what happened to my shotgun [split barrel ] when I tried this powder, or hey I just put in a little more [how much more ?] powder and I blew up my muzzle loader, or this one , I didn't think a little bit of bull rush in the end of my shotgun barrel would cause it to blow up, they don't make them like they used to. ??????

[ET1]

Jaycee

I agree the 10ML-II is the strongest and safest muzzle loader a manufacturer has built.
But even its quality is not fool proof when certain individuals use them. I also agree there are individuals that should not be using firearms as I’ve witnessed at the range also.

I have seen pictures of numerous barrel ruptures with the 10M-II and one common factor has been a split running through the rear sight hole. Co-incidence I don’t think so. When mounting a scope the rear sight is usually removed and probably the hole left open for appearance sake. This IMO leaves a weak spot in the barrel. I have replaced my rear sight screw and front sight with one that fills the hole and sits flush with the barrel to bring the barrel integrity back to its original status.

The person that scares me the most is someone doing modifications for improvement or for doing one better than the next guy. They are so focused to pushing the limits one step further but never seem to consider the possible negative response from a modification. One good example of this is trigger adjustments. Not to say that having a lighter set trigger is a bad thing because I too prefer a lighter set trigger with almost all the play adjusted out of it. My 10ML-II is set at 3-lbs and proof tested to ensure a strong jarring will not set it off. If I go below 3-lbs, say 2.5-lbs a good jarring will set it off. Should I want less poundage then an aftermarket trigger designed for lighter poundage is required.

Simple rule here “know your limits and play within it”.



Ed

[DJB]

For muzzle loading, a person should pass a common sense test and an attention span test. I have seen at the range where someone talks to a guy loading, he stops and after a few minutes starts the process over, totally forgetting where he left off and double loading the powder and even the bullet. I have helped people unload these situations where they thought it might be easier to fire it out. I couldn't see them paying that price to earn a little common sense. I suggested that they look up some of the results on the net. I was thanked at our next meeting at the range.

[MikePal]

For muzzle loading, a person should pass a common sense test and an attention span test.

...LOL..like the one they should be giving people before they have kids

Yes it takes focus to remember all the steps in the load procedure, especially if your prone to getting distracted. I also shoot BP shotgun and it has a few more steps, so I lay out everything in advance and go from left to right...every time.

[Big Jack]

Good practice Mike.

It is same for me hand loading. Careful and no distractions, period!

[jaycee]

I agree the 10ML-II is the strongest and safest muzzle loader a manufacturer has built.
But even its quality is not fool proof when certain individuals use them.

Especially the ones that know next to nothing and start experimenting with "duplex loads " to try and gain a few more yards in distance.

[skypilot]

I had a kentucky rifle boom in my face. I had purchased it from a neighbor to help him financially and hung it over the mantle so it's be there when he wanted it back. Well never happened so I decided to hunt with it.

Checked it out, loaded it properly, fired it, and it blew the percussion nipple, etc out in my face......I shoot left handed.

Well....appears he had replaced a metric threaded nipple with a SAE.

I healed, got my sight back and welded, drilled, tapped and installed a SAE nipple.

[jaycee]

I had a kentucky rifle boom in my face. I had purchased it from a neighbor to help him financially and hung it over the mantle so it's be there when he wanted it back. Well never happened so I decided to hunt with it.

Checked it out, loaded it properly, fired it, and it blew the percussion nipple, etc out in my face......I shoot left handed.

Well....appears he had replaced a metric threaded nipple with a SAE.

I healed, got my sight back and welded, drilled, tapped and installed a SAE nipple.

A perfect example of someone trying to do something that they were not capable of [no knowledge], not referring to you "skypilot."

[ET1]

Jaycee

Not sure how to interpret your last post about DUPLEX LOADS.
If someone is not familiar with duplex loads is one thing but some who are knowledgeable about Duplex loads then I disagree with your post.
Duplex loads can also generate lesser peak pressure than a single powder can generate with increase in velocity for flatter shooting and longer range.
Duplex loads can generate less ES velocities from shot to shot.

Have you ever wondered why with SML that we need to use such fast burning powders to launch heavy bullets that in a CF cartridge of far lesser size would rip a barrel apart?
It’s all about understanding the basics of powder burn rates and pressure responses for given conditions.

When SML first came out many preached gloom and doom using this method.
Then when refinement of loads came along again using duplex powders many preached gloom and doom simply because they didn’t understand it.
If a single powder load meets your needs then by all means stay there in a given comfort zone. If it doesn’t then there is the option of duplex and you need to have a good understanding of powder burn rates and pressure responses before going there. If you begin to poke blindly then look out.

For years I’ve shot single loads in my 10ML-II to keep things as simple as possible. Now I find myself moving into an area not covered by manufacturer’s recommendations and my only option to safely achieve my goal will be with a duplex load.


Ed