Archibear1
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- Aug 24, 2015
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I have not shot muzzle loaders for years now. This Knight MK-85 50 Cal is my first in-line. I inherited it from my grandpa and it's been sitting in my gun case for 6-8 years now with out much attention. But I kind of want to go make some smoke....
I have a host of questions: (here's 4)
Dad and I built a kit rifle 25-30 years ago and we shot lead balls out of it and what I recall as Maxi-Bullets. So what I know is measure powder, dump it in, put a pre-lubed patch on a ball and smack it into the gun then ram it down till it's all nice and snug. Put a cap on the nipple and blow up a milk jug full of water.
I have a host of questions: (here's 4)
- Leave it Cap or convert it to 209 Primer?
Knight makes a conversion kit to 209 primer and am considering this. I remember the snap... nothing from a cap when I was a teenager out shooting muzzle loader with my dad. Plus the 209 primers are available everywhere!
I have noticed that the nipple on this Knight is a little hard to get at. So I'm not sure which would be easier the cap, the 209 primer or the full plastic seal 209 primer they offer. - Owners Manual
Any one know where I can grab a PDF for the owners manual the one Knight now offers on their website does not seem to cover the MK-85. - Effective Loads?
I've been doing some reading on this site and others and it seems like a 240gr sabot/bullet with about 100gr load of 777 or Goex FFF or Pyrodex P is the norm. Does the sabot replace the need for a patch? - Care and Cleaning
There seems to be two lines of thought regarding using "natural" cleaners and lubes vs chemical cleaners and oils. So anyone have suggestions about using things like Bore Butter and Number 13 vs chemical cleaners and oils... although I don't really understand how oil can cause fouling.
Dad and I built a kit rifle 25-30 years ago and we shot lead balls out of it and what I recall as Maxi-Bullets. So what I know is measure powder, dump it in, put a pre-lubed patch on a ball and smack it into the gun then ram it down till it's all nice and snug. Put a cap on the nipple and blow up a milk jug full of water.