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Thread: bullets tumble

  1. #1
    lite2bolt is offline
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    bullets tumble

    Noticed my bullets are tumbling, they are key holing. This just started a few weeks ago. the musket has well cleaned bore. No damage to the crown to the naked eye. Same bullet used for years and had performed very well. The only change was switch from GOEX to Swiss. went from 37 grains FFg to 30 grains Swiss FFg. I had expected wide groups but not the key hole. any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    I'd say increase your charge of Swiss.

    They say you can use ~10% less Swiss for equivalent charge of other powders. 10% of 37 grains would be 3.7 grains, so I would start with 33 grains of Swiss. It's likely you will need to do a complete ladder workup to find your optimal charge with the new powder.
    Steve Sheldon
    Commander
    4th Louisiana Delta Rifles
    NRA Certified Muzzleloading Instructor

  3. #3
    John Bly is offline
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    More powder

  4. #4
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    Mine was doing the same. went from .575 to .576, problem went away.

  5. #5
    Jim_Burgess_2078V is offline
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    Keyholes

    Problem could also be a slightly harder lot of lead but the other advice received is worthy of consideration. You probably need at least 35 grains of powder and you also might need a slightly larger diameter bullet sizer.

    Jim Burgess, 15th CVI

  6. #6
    Don Dixon is offline
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    Swiss is more forceful than GOEX, but your load is way too light to properly expand the ball.
    Last edited by Don Dixon; 05-05-2023 at 11:02 AM.

  7. #7
    Fred Jr is offline
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    Tumbling bullets

    All the recommendation already made could be your problem. Hard lead, rounds too small, charge too light. The easiest thing to try first would be powder charge.

    Good luck!!!!!

    Fred

  8. #8
    clowdis is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fred Jr View Post
    All the recommendation already made could be your problem. Hard lead, rounds too small, charge too light. The easiest thing to try first would be powder charge.

    Good luck!!!!!

    Fred
    Or just see if you can scratch your bullets with your fingernail. The lead should be soft enough to scratch.

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