New to MZ Issue - Second Bullet Won’t Seat

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Took my new CVA Optima gen 3 to the range for my first dip into muzzleloaders. First loading went fine. The brass piece of the ram rod that the palm saver screws on to was basically even with the muzzle with 2 IMR white hot pellets and a 290 gr Hornady FTX bore driver so I took that as my reference point for when the bullet is seated. The second bullet couldn’t not be seated closer than about 1/4 of an inch from the brass end. And I mean I pushed as hard as I could and wound up filling the ramrod digging into the bullet. I ran a few patches through the barrel, loaded again and had no issues in the first load, but had the same issue on the second. Cleaned again, and the same thing happened over and over. Any ideas why I absolutely cannot get the bullet to seat on the second shot? I’m not a body builder, but I am pretty confident I am pushing more than hard enough.

 

[BBob]

That’s a common problem and there’s lots of info all over the web about it. In many ML’s you need to brush or wet swab after the first shot so you can get a second down the barrel. Other options are to try to find a different bullet or bullet/sabot combo that’ll allow you to seat a second bullet. Not uncommon and welcome to the club

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

That’s a common problem and there’s lots of info all over the web about it. In many ML’s you need to brush or wet swab after the first shot so you can get a second down the barrel. Other options are to try to find a different wad that’ll allow you to seat a second bullet. Not uncommon and welcome to the club

Thanks! Glad to know it’s not just me. So a .45 cal in a .50 sabot may seat easier on the second?

 

[ElDiablito]

Yeah. Fouling.

 

[BBob]

Thanks! Glad to know it’s not just me. So a .45 cal in a .50 sabot may seat easier on the second?

Yes maybe but not guaranteed. The fouling and second load issue might still rear its ugly head with sabots as well. That’s why I suggested you might have to try different wads sabots. Harvester black ribbed wads can work well in a fouled bore and multiple shots. You have to try to see if they’ll shoot for you. If you do decide to try them they get squishy in a warm/hot barrel so you may have to wait awhile for the barrel to fully cool before shooting again. That’s another issue to contend with when using sabots. Barrel heat no bueno with many wads and you have to be patient and let it cool. If you don’t accuracy can go to hell and can go as far as the bullet keyholing the target.

You gots lots to learn grasshopper

 

[ElDiablito]

That’s why I suggested you might have to try different wads.

Are we talking “wads” or “sabots”? Two different things entirely.

 

[BBob]

Are we talking “wads” or “sabots”? Two different things entirely.

I misspoke, sabots. I’ll fix it. Tired Sunday afternoon brain