Ruger 77/50 - Manual (Page 10)

10
responsibility to select the proper lead ball/patch combination of a lubricated
conical lead bullet that fits securely in the bore, yet is not excessively difficult to
load, particularly after a shot or two of black powder fouling has built up in the
bore.
Never load multiple projectiles into the barrel. The rearmost projectile slamming
into the other projectiles when fired could cause a burst barrel and severe
personal injury. Use only one bullet at a time.
SABOTS
Some projectiles designed for muzzleloading rifles are considerably undersized
from the bore diameter and are encircled by a resilient synthetic or fibre “sabot”
or “shoe”. An undersize sabot can easily release its projectile to become a bore
obstruction, or the sabot itself can act as a bore obstruction.
Never lubricate a
sabot -- this can cause the saboted bullet to slip forward up the bore and act as
an obstruction when fired, possibly resulting in destruction of the rifle and
severe injury to the shooter or bystanders!
If sabots are used, their
manufacturer’s directions must be scrupulously followed.
PATCHING
.490” diameter round ball projectiles of soft lead must be fired with a lubricated
round linen cloth patch of .010 - .015” thickness (about that of a gun cleaning
patch) and about 1.5” diameter. However, many shooters prefer to use lubricated
soft lead conical projectiles, and these often work best without a patch,
particularly if they are hollow-based. Always follow the instructions regarding
patches that are furnished by the manufacturer of the projectile (or bullet mold
if you cast your own bullets) that you chose. The best lubricants for patches are
vegetable-based greases, synthetic lubricants specifically designed for this use.
Petroleum-based lubricants often char the patches when fired and may leave
excess residue in the bore -- don’t use them to lubricate patches for bullets.
PERCUSSION CAPS
A percussion cap is a small metal cup, the interior top of which is coated with a
priming mixture. This priming mixture is usually covered with a foil or paper
liner. It fires when struck a blow.
The cap is placed on the nipple and when struck by the striker, the priming
compound explodes, igniting the powder charge.
The cap should fit the nipple only tightly enough so that it does not fall off when
the barrel is elevated with the bolt open.
Do not attempt to use caps which are
too tight or try to force or pound caps onto the nipples, as a premature
discharge could result.
Suggested cap size for the RUGER
®
MODEL 77/50
rifle is No. 11 (U.S.) or equivalent.
Since percussion caps have an open end (which is placed on the cylinder nipple
when you are ready to fire), they are susceptible to contamination. Be careful
when handling percussion caps, especially with oily fingers, and try to keep
water, grease, dirt and other contaminants out of the open end of the caps.
Failure to do so is the main cause of misfires in percussion muzzleloading
firearms.