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Posted: 11/30/2012 5:38:07 PM EDT
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Ive owned a cheapo Tradition Thunderbolt .45 cal for about 4 years now and have shot it off and on over the years.
While it's defiently more of a challenge to shoot than a centerfire round, it still brings the "giggle" factor to me when I touch a round off. Well on to my question. I've never been tempted to take it hunting for the simple fact of if I go hunting and don't see anything... Okay I've got a 209 primer that I can easily take out, but what about 2 pyrodex pellts and sabot slug still in the chamber??? |
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As noted above, you can use one of the various CO2 devices that blows the charge out via pressure through the nipple. Thompson Center's Silent Discharger is one example. If the ball is tight, it can develop a fair amount of pressure so keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction. They are quick, clean and easy to use, so they are your best bet.
Alternatively, you can use a ball puller. It's basically a screw that attaches to the end of the ram rod. you press down on the ramrod slightly while turning it clockwise and it will screw into the ball. Once it's in securely, you just pull the ball out by hand. Cost is about $5 and it simple and low tech. It's a time honored method and most folks back in the day did not worry about setting off the charge - just don't start hammering on the end of the ram rod etc. In fact I cannot remember ever hearing about it being a concern until the last few years. I've pulled a lot of balls over the years with a dry charge underneath and never had an issue, and generally the higher ignition temp of pyrodex makes it even safer than black powder. The patch and ball, minie ball or maxie ball is already engraved so they tend to come out very easy with minimum pulling force required. But in today's litigious environment the current advice is to remove the nipple or flash hole liner and soak the breech end in a bucket of water long enough to ensure the charge is soaked, then pull the ball. So...because of the presence of too many lawyers and the potential for someone to have a stupid attack and do something truly stupid, my *official* for the record advice is to soak the breech to wet the charge prior to pulling the ball. |
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all good suggestions, now I'll give you the best.
find the base of some tree and fire into it. DO NOT fire into the air. some fool did that here in Lancaster County and somehow the falling round killed a young girl 1/2 mile away! Yes, it was BP. good luck bill boy |
| The CO2 dischargers are the most convenient for guns without a readily accessible breech plug. If you have a gun with said breech plug, simply remove it and push the load out with a suitably long piece of dowel rod or a store-bought range rod, which in my opinion is an essential tool for anyone with a muzzleloader. |
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