Breech-loaders have it easy. Loading and extracting cartridges is a modern nicety. Muzzleloaders know a much different world.
For us, each load is a handload, but even more extreme. We don’t just need to measure the charge and select the projectile, we have to dispense and drive home each, separately.
Among other muzzleloader accessories (like a powder measure and funnel), we need a ramrod and a muzzleloader bullet starter.
And you can’t just use your ramrod to start the ball or bullet down the bore. Here’s why.
No, You Can’t Just Use Your Ramrod
Most ramrods are made of wood. If you try to use a ramrod to drive a bullet down the bore from the muzzle, you’re likely to break it.
Not to worry, you think. You can just use your fiberglass or aluminum ramrod to start the bullet or ball.
That’s also not a good idea. The thing is, the ramrod is heavy and unwieldy, and by gripping it too far up the shaft, you’re likely to turn the bullet’s nose off the centerline axis of the bore.
This is not nearly as big of a problem with a ball as it is with a bullet but needless to say it’s not desirable in either case.
In other words, the size and heft of most muzzleloader ramrods means that they are not ideal for starting balls or bullets.
Technically you could probably use the ramrod for that task (provided you didn’t break it) but you wouldn’t get consistent results.
And if that weren’t argument enough for you, just consider that there are better tools for the job. Namely, muzzleloader bullet starters that are much easier to use and which will deliver consistent results.
Let’s put it this way. We muzzleloader fans may be gear junkies but the powder-burners of the past were creatures of necessity. If they didn’t need, or couldn’t afford something, it wasn’t in their possibles bags.
So take a page out of the history book and take it to heart that a muzzleloader bullet starter is not really an optional muzzleloader accessory.
And, in spite of tradition, synthetic bullet starters are better (unfortunately) than wood.
The Problem with Wood
Traditional muzzleloader bullet starters were made of hardwoods like oak, beech or maple. Today, many still are.
They are attractive, especially when stained, polished, and fitted with a brass jag. But they are inferior to synthetic materials like nylon purely on the basis of performance.
Aesthetics aside (they come out on top clearly on that) wood muzzleloader bullet starters, like wooden ramrods, can break if they are stressed.
Not that it’s easy to do (it’s far easier to break a muzzleloader ramrod), but if you put a lot of pressure on a muzzleloader bullet starter and in the wrong way, you’ll break it.
And trust the writer of this post: getting a bullet or ball stuck somewhere near the muzzle is not fun. You’ll need to break out the ball puller or silent ball discharger and that’s a lot of work, and a lot less fun than shooting or hunting.
So be smart and get a nylon or some other synthetic muzzleloader bullet starter and keep that in your pack or possibles bag.
Get Your Next Muzzleloader Bullet Starter Online at Anarchy Outdoors
The other attractive thing about synthetic muzzleloader bullet starters is that they are relatively affordable. If you’re looking for one, visit Anarchy Outdoors. They carry a wide range of muzzleloader accessories including ball starters. Check out their collection or get in touch with them directly for more details.
For More Information About Muzzleloader Ramrod and HK compensator Please Visit: Anarchy Outdoors.
