Quote:
You should seat the ball only so deep that it is flush with the face of the cylinder. The idea is that by being seated closer to the rifling it will not be moving so fast when it engages the rifling and so less apt to strip lead.
If you are not using a maximum powder load, this may result in an air gap between the powder charge and the ball. This must be filled with some kind of filler or wad. I use cream of wheat.
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To clarify for a new shooter:
There must NEVER be an air gap. If you choose to shoot a load that puts you in conflict with the ball position regarding the chamber face & a ball sitting on a powder charge that allows it to sit deeper ALWAYS pick the option where the ball contacts (& even slightly compresses) the charge. The purpose of the filler mentioned is to fill that potentially dangerous air gap.
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Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”?
Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”
