QLA

[ONE HOLE 4570]

How does the QLA system on muzzle loader barrels affect accuracy of round balls. I picked up a RB barrel for a Lyman that has a false muzzle (like TC's QLA. I remember reading that the QLA may effect conicals but not so much with sabots.

It is a 54 1:60 twist with the last 1 1/2 in or so over bored. Shot it & got about a 2 1/2 in gr at 50 yrds with 777 3f & a 4 in gr with real BP. Seems to like a good stiff charge. Would like to get a little better group. If it does not do better should I cut off the QLA & recrown??

[smokepolehall]

Basically works as a funnel, starts off loose then ends up tight as you enter the rifling's and lands. I wouldn't even start to think of cutting and re-crown at this pt. I would try several patching thickness and amount of powder, different powders and grades, ff- fff.

[flinter54]

I agree with smokepolehall, I would not cut and re-crown either. I personally have had no experience with the QLA systems. I would think, once the PRB leaves the rifling in the barrel, there would be to much windage for the patch to take up.

Therefore, wouldn't the ball start to separate from the patch and be on its way down range? Like I said, I have had no experience with the QLA systems, its just a thought. Good luck

Flinter54

[simonkenton]

I have the QLA on an inline. I shoot sabots and it is very accurate.
I have never used a patch and ball rifle that had QLA.

[forest2]

 The QLA which incorporates a "false muzzle design" into the actual barrel, a "False Muzzle" and a "Coned Muzzle" are three (3) different and distinct things available.  The QLA by TC is made for TC sabots, the cut of the QLA in the barrel does/or can cause deformation of the PRB as it's loaded, so it's not really recommended for that applicatioin.  A "False Muzzle" is an actual piece of barrel as an accessory, used by some target shooters to start the patched round ball and impart the groove and rifling to the projectile prior too it's entry to the muzzle of the firearm.  Then there is the properly "coned muzzle",, a sweet thing that many don't know about. It's that extra edge of modification that our forefathers had,,that only in modern times have many manufactures tried to replicate for the sole purpose of marketing their products to the unknown for profit.
 Don't get me wrong, there is a guy that makes a "coning tool" out there. I've used it with A++ results.

[Double 30]

Have shot a few balls through a QLA muzzle with excellent accuracy.Have no idea why the "cut" of a QLA would deform a rb in the loading process...Cant get decent conical accuracy from my Omega but it is designed for sabots after all.I would go so far as to wish my Green Mountain ball barrel had such a feature. I believe the problem with conicals is that the QLA is only slightly over groove diameter and the soft lead conicals may continue to obturate in the QLA and that contact may cause some inaccuracy. For best results remember to swab her out between shots.My G>M> barrel is a dog if I dont.

[smokepolehall]

Not trying to start anything here but my Grey Hawk has the QLA & its a 1 in 48 twist which is conical and prb. It wasn't designed to shoot sabots, but they can. Not sure how far they would hold their accuracy. Something for an individual to test with their ML.

[slayer]

When I bought my T/C Hawken it had the QLA and I just hated it for patched roundballs. The patches slid all over the pace and the ball got out of center very easily I sold that barrel pronto and got a T/C 31 inch 1:66 replacement barrel without QLA and now am very happy with it I will say though, the QLA is great for conicals.

Jack