I have no idea the process for figuring out how to properly size bore riders. Is there a process or a way to maximize accuracy. I was given custom muzzle loader. It came with sizing die and some Parker bullets. I ran the bullets through the sizing die for the last setting. They load fairly easy on a clean barrel. Second shot is a no go. I've been pulling the breech plug and running g 3 TC patches through and then doing another shot. Not getting the accuracy this thing should produce. I'm not sure if it's because of my process the sizing or I need to mess with powder. Insight and suggestions would be appreciated.
Sizing
- Thread starter ofdscooby
- Start date
What powder are you using?
Typically I size my bullets to fit for a fouled barrel instead of a clean barrel.
Like fullbore said. I set my sizing die up based on a fouled barrel. Do you have a smokeless muzzeloader that these are for? I know some guys use sized rounds in their bh209 builds.
If this is for a smokeless, shoot a couple times and don't clean in between. You'll have to adjust your die of course, but more than likely after the 2nd or 3rd round it will stabilize. It's hard if you're not able to do this at your house with your press, but I have a Lee hand press that I take with me if I'm away from home.
There's a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to the bullet to bore guns, but they're stupid accurate and can reach out a long ways. You'll hear some guys that don't size until right before they shoot and others that size a whole box at once. It all depends on if this is a hunting gun or a comp gun imo.
Personally I size 5 or so, let them sit for a day or two, then run them through again. I also run each bullet through the sizer three times, rotating it each pass. Consistency is the name of the game with these.
If this is for a smokeless, shoot a couple times and don't clean in between. You'll have to adjust your die of course, but more than likely after the 2nd or 3rd round it will stabilize. It's hard if you're not able to do this at your house with your press, but I have a Lee hand press that I take with me if I'm away from home.
There's a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to the bullet to bore guns, but they're stupid accurate and can reach out a long ways. You'll hear some guys that don't size until right before they shoot and others that size a whole box at once. It all depends on if this is a hunting gun or a comp gun imo.
Personally I size 5 or so, let them sit for a day or two, then run them through again. I also run each bullet through the sizer three times, rotating it each pass. Consistency is the name of the game with these.
Tag
I'm using BH209 right now. I will run some bullets through and measure the spring back maybe just need to run them through a couple more times. The rifle is an LRC out of Utah . It can go smokeless but I'm just trying to learn one thing at a time.
I was told I should be able to get at least 2-3 shot before swabbing so maybe I need to size down a little bit more.
I was told I should be able to get at least 2-3 shot before swabbing so maybe I need to size down a little bit more.
Yeah, it's a feel thing. Foul the bore and size so that they load with sufficient loading pressure to stay on the charge. There's a very fine balance between enough and "get me the hammer." I run the bullets through 3-5 times. Mark the sizer and do them all the same way. I shoot a lot of sized bullets with smokeless and Bh209. Arrowhead and Parker both have videos on the process.
I don't have muzzelloader, but have done some reading about them. Accutate Powder loads is very importance.
Other than that Tag.
Other than that Tag.
waveslayer
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I size mine after three shots, then I remove the barrel and sacrifice 3-5 bullets to get the right size down for my bore. I am using the bomb 302gr bullet for my .45 muzzy. It was easy to do and accuracy is sub MOA
Okay. I wasn't sure what powder you were using. I will be honest, I've never used BH209, I went straight to smokeless, so I'm not sure how much it fowls. I've run h322 and h4895 in my builds and the fouling is non existent. Plus I don't want pay the price they want for bh209.
I would just caution that if you think you ever want to shoot smokeless, stock up on powder NOW while it's available.
What caliber is your gun? I'm gonna assume .45?
McRem45
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I run each bullet through the die 3 times rotating 90 degrees each time. Once in a while one will need another pass or two. I use Pittman bullets.
Which Parker bullets do you have?
Which Parker bullets do you have?
ENCORE
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What charge of BH are you shooting and with what weight bullet?
What type of custom do you have? A break open or bolt action? Ignition type? Scope?
There's no need to remove your breech plug to swab the barrel. Many of us are swabbing with a slightly damp patch of 50/50 Hoppe's and 91% alcohol. One patch in and out both sides, then one dry patch both sides. Now, when through shooting, yes, remove and clean the breech plug. If you're shooing 209 primers, then you MUST clean the carbon from the flash channel of the breech plug. Cleaners WILL NOT work. The carbon must be chipped out using a 1/8" drill bit BY HAND.
I do things slightly different than most, such as I never do any loading forces by "feel". I measure all my loading forces with a force gauge and in a clean barrel. Generally................... when shooting BH I size to 30# force, although there are times I may load to 20# force. Unlike SML, the loading force and seating forces of BH will change velocities.
When I size bullets, they are lubed and ran through my sizing die 5 times and after the 5th time through I want it to equal my target force. Bullets after sizing are washed with 91% alcohol in a bowl, dried and boxed. I don't get spring back with this process. I have bullets sized in 2022 that remain at my target loading force.
