Will conicals stay seated?

[LongbowG]

I've decided to shoot TC Maxi-Balls out of my .54 Hawken for a backpack hunt this fall in CO.  I have always shot PRB out of this rifle (15 yrs), but have decided to shoot the Maxi-Balls for their superior accuracy at the 100 yd range.  I am new to shooting conicals.

My question is...the Maxi-Balls load very easily, and I am wondering if they will slide off the charge if the gun is carried around while hiking for up to a few days.  They definitely don't seat as tight as my PRB's.

Would like to hear from others who shoot similar loads under the same circumstances.  Thanks.

[roundball]

I've decided to shoot TC Maxi-Balls out of my .54 Hawken for a backpack hunt this fall in CO.  I have always shot PRB out of this rifle (15 yrs), but have decided to shoot the Maxi-Balls for their superior accuracy at the 100 yd range.  I am new to shooting conicals.

My question is...the Maxi-Balls load very easily, and I am wondering if they will slide off the charge if the gun is carried around while hiking for up to a few days.  They definitely don't seat as tight as my PRB's.

Would like to hear from others who shoot similar loads under the same circumstances.  Thanks.

Yes, they can work up off the powder...I've used quite a few .45cal maxi-hunters  (which are a lot lighter than the .54's you're talking about)  and once the rifling punches through the engraving bands during loading, there's really nothing to hold them in any particular position...so I follow the advice given which is to periodically ease the ramrod down and check/ensure the conical is seated/reseat it, whatever the case may be.

Also, I suggest you always use some sort of short starter to crisply punch the bullet into the rifling so the cuts in the engraving band are as clean and snug as possible...I worry a bullet is man handled into the rifling with just the end of a ramrod, I think all the wallowing around getting the bullet finally started that way can't be a good thing, may leave it looser than it would be otherwise, probably can't help accuracy either...just my 2 cents

[lostid]

 I have always shot PRB out of this rifle (15 yrs), but have decided to shoot the Maxi-Balls for their superior accuracy at the 100 yd range.

 That's interesting,, the prb I shoot out of my .54 have always out-performed any size maxi-ball I've tried for longer range accuracy. I shoot a shallow groove 1-48 twist .54 also. I guess the lube/ grease groove issue with the maxi-ball style projectiles has alway's been the toughest for me, I just cain't find the right combo

Any way's,,Yes,,they slide out..don't worry ,,if your going to "hike up for a few day's" you'll not be making a quick snap shot at any game.

You did say colodrado? not alaska?

[LongbowG]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  This is a little worrisome but something I'll just have to keep in mind.  Yes Lostid, I was surprised that my prb would not shoot as consistently at 100 yds.  I was cutting holes at 50 yds (when I did my part) but something is going on between 50 and 100 and I don't think it was all me.  If those conicals hit my target as hard as they hit my shoulder I should be in business.

One bit of info I got from another forum was to remember to remove the cap before checking the seating with my ramrod...something that would be easy to do when trying to get a quick check of the conical depth!

[dodd3]

i use a 412 grn mini in my .54 which is a looser fit than a maxi never had a problem with the mini riding up i carry my gun jut forward of centre so the muzzle points up at an angle but being a mini i still do a check now and again. if your that worried youse a lee real bullet .  
bernie :-)

[JPerryE]

Good advice regarding always decap or un prime before poking around in the barrel.

I had a similar problem regarding conicals staying seated. After the first shot there is enough fowling to keep them snug in my rifle. For the first shot, in a clean barrel, I cut a strip of cigarette paper about 1/4 inch wide. I lay it across the muzzle, like I would a cloth patch, then seat the conical. You may want to vary the width of the paper but this worked for me and doesn't effect the accuracy a bit for that first shot.

[slayer]

Speaking of Mini`s. I use something similar in the Ball-Et, it is made either just sized or a bit undersized and they load very nicely, actually the nicest of all bullets and balls. I beleive this is done, as the base(skirt) is designed after ingnition to expand and grip the rifling, unlike the Maxi, which is cutting the rifling from the loading process thru the firing. I am a big beleiver in the Mini now. I would like to try some true Mini`s, who makes them other than the BB Ball-Et? Thanks-Jack.