Should be empty.
https://www.hunter-ed.com/missouri/studyGuide/Loading-a-Muzzleloader/201025_700062429/
Any other reading would mean the ML is charged.
Use long distinct steady strokes, don't beat the ball down the barrel. Once the projectile is seated, the powder will compact.
Push the ramrod in short strokes, gripping it just a few inches above the muzzle. If you use longer strokes, you might accidentally snap the rod and injure your hands or arm. Your ramrod should be marked to show when the ball is properly seated over a specific load, such as 70 grains of FFFg powder.
This is gold
I just mark for empty.Your link says it should be marked for both empty and loaded and says use short strokes:
Your link says it should be marked for both empty and loaded and says use short strokes:
You will be able to feel the main charge slightly crush or compress at the last instant. The loading or range rod will slightly bounce when seating has been done firmly with most powder types. If done with too much authority, bouncing could affect the shape of the projie.
Even with all that, I’m pretty sure pellets are not meant to be “crushed” just loaded firmly.
A palm saver or thick piece of leather will allow you to.... well, save your palm or fat part of your hand and permit you to feel the slight crush when it happens.
I always use a little bounce even when loading with smokeless in my Savage rifle just for consistency.
Plus one on this. My Remington 700ML factory ramrod is flush with empty barrel, no modifications necessary. If it sits proud, it’s charged.I have my rod cut even with the muzzle on an empty rifle. Quick way to verify if it's loaded. I shoot with a range rod but hunt with the wooden hickory rod.
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Plus one on this. My Remington 700ML factory ramrod is flush with empty barrel, no modifications necessary. If it sits proud, it’s charged.
This is gold
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I recently purchased a used 700ML and am contemplating using the "cartridge" type ignition system. My problem is that I can't find a lot of information on it's proper use. Could you lead me to where I can find some info? What load will work for <100 yard dear shots?
Thanks
Sorry but I don’t know what that is (cartridge system). Is that on the new Remington Ultimate Muzzleloader? That has a new, proprietary ignition system. I have no experience with that. I have one of the very 1st Remy’s , circa 1995 or 96. If it helps you my hunting load is 100 gr of loose Pyrodex + Hornady 44 cal 240 gr XTP with sabot. This older model only allows 120 gr, not 150 like most newer rifles, and 100 works best for me. Accurate to 150yds, killed every deer I shot with it, out over 100 yds about 5 or 6 times. Full disclosure, even though this load hasn’t failed me, after early muzzleloader I’m going back to full .50 cal bullets to regain the massive knockdown power it once had. The lighter saboted bullets have left me with several tough tracking jobs even after dead perfect hits, luckily all successful, but I want more reward for a perfect shot.I recently purchased a used 700ML and am contemplating using the "cartridge" type ignition system. My problem is that I can't find a lot of information on it's proper use. Could you lead me to where I can find some info? What load will work for <100 yard dear shots?
Thanks
Sorry but I don’t know what that is (cartridge system). Is that on the new Remington Ultimate Muzzleloader? That has a new, proprietary ignition system. I have no experience with that. I have one of the very 1st Remy’s , circa 1995 or 96. If it helps you my hunting load is 100 gr of loose Pyrodex + Hornady 44 cal 240 gr XTP with sabot. This older model only allows 120 gr, not 150 like most newer rifles, and 100 works best for me. Accurate to 150yds, killed every deer I shot with it, out over 100 yds about 5 or 6 times. Full disclosure, even though this load hasn’t failed me, after early muzzleloader I’m going back to full .50 cal bullets to regain the massive knockdown power it once had. The lighter saboted bullets have left me with several tough tracking jobs even after dead perfect hits, luckily all successful, but I want more reward for a perfect shot.